by Suzanne Fort

Created on: July 26, 2008

Don Cheadle was born November 29, 1964. Don's father was a psychologist and his mother was a bank manager. Don was always interested in performing. He began performing at age 5. When he graduated high school, he had scholarships in music and acting schools. He chose the acting school at California Instititute of Arts in Valencia.
After graduation, Don had his first film "Moving Violations". He did a bunch of television series after that. His next role was "Picket Fences" which ran from 1993-1995.

Don made his first big impression in "Devil in a Blue Dress" with Denzel Washington. He received awards in this film. He later starred in major films like "Volcano" and "Boogie Night".

Don played Sammy Davis Jr. in "The Rat Pack". He won a Golden Globe award. He was in "Out of Sight" with George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez. He played a criminal in the movie. Around that time, he made a lot of other films, including "Traffic" and "Ocean's 11".

He is best known for his portrayal of a heroic hotel manager in "Hotel Rwanda". He played Adam Sandler's friend in "Reign Over Me".

Don Cheadle stands out in any role he plays. He seems to have this intelligence about him that shows up in the film he plays. In "Out of Sight" I remember thinking that he seemed to be pretty intelligent and his character really seemed to be the criminal that he portrayed. Don Cheadle really seemed to be a good friend to Adam's Sandler's depressed character on "Reign Over Me".

I want to be sure I don't miss any of Don Cheadle's awards and nominations. He is such a great actor that they all need to be addressed:

Academy Award:

2004 Best Actor
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Nominated

British Academy Awards:

2005 Best Supporting Actor
Crash (2005)
Nominated

Broadcast Film Critics Association:

2004 Best Actor
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Nominated

Golden Globe 2004:

Best Actor - Drama
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Nominated

Independent Spirit Award:

2001 Best Supporting Actor
Things Behind the Sun (2001)
Nominated

L.A. Film Critics Association:

1994 Best Supporting Actor
Devil in A Blue Dress (1995)
Win

London Film Critics Association:

2005 Best Actor
Crash (2005)
Nominated

2005 Best Actor
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Nominated

National Society of Film Critics:

1995 Best Supporting Actor
Devil in A Blue Dress (1995)
Win

Screen Actors Guild:

2005 Best Supporting Actor
Crash (2005)
Nominated

2004 Best Actor
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Nominated

1995 Best Supporting Actor
Devil in A Blue Dress (1995)
Nominated

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