Dennis L. A. White | |
---|---|
Other names | Dennis Da Menace |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2000–present |
Dennis L. A. White is an American actor noted for portraying Damion "D-Roc" Butler in the Notorious B.I.G. biopic entitled Notorious.
Early life
White was born and raised in Southern California in 1973,to a Grammy nominated mother and a military father. He was exposed to many different cultures and ideas. When his family relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina he developed his love for music and acting. He was offered a baseball scholarship while a student at Westover High School to play baseball but he decided to take an academic scholarship at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Career
In 2001, Dennis, under the guise of "Dennis Da Menace", put out his Billboard charted album, The Wonderful World of Dennis. In 2003, Dennis became the first African-American host at Fuse Television. He began to host several TV shows: Weekend Vibe, HBO's 5 Rounds and Chatzone, and MTV's Hip Hop Life.
White then pursued his love for acting with appearances in The Brave One with Jodie Foster, Law & Order: SVU, The Jury, I Think I Love My Wife, etc. In 2010, he portrayed a cancer stricken comedian in Marq Overton's Off Broadway play, Die Laughing. White also played Virgil on The N mini-series, Miracle's Boys. Dennis had a recurring role on TNT (TV channel)'s The Closer. In 2009, Dennis created "Act Like You Know", a company that gives acting workshops and seminars to aspiring actors across the country. In 2009, Dennis became the re-occurring character "Mistah Ray" on NBC's Parenthood.
In 2013, Dennis started a foundation called "M.O.R.P.H." to help eradicate racial profiling.
In 2018, Dennis strategically aligned his career and brand with personal manager, Jameelah "Just Jay" Wilkerson, President/CEO of The Hype Magazine Network; a media conglomerate based in North America. Wilkerson is also President of Marketing and Business Affairs with Palm Tree Entertainment, home to platinum-selling artists Soulja Boy and iHeartMemphis creator of the global smash Hit The Quan.
Filmography
- Swimming (2000) - Jeeper
- I Think I Love My Wife (2007) - Party Thug (uncredited)
- The Brave One (2007) - Thug on Subway
- Notorious (2009) - Damion
- Three Chris's (2010) - Chris Walker
- April's Fools (2010) - Tamil
- Code Blue (2010)
- King of Paper Chasin' (2011) - J.B. (as Dennis Da Menace)
- After Hours: The Movie (2011) - Rugged & Menace hit man
- Dysfunctional Friends (2012) - Minister
- Small Apartments (2012) - Marcus (as Dennis White)
- Changing the Game (2012) - Adult Dre (as Dennis LA White)
- Dreams (2013/I) - Gage
- Dreams (2013/II) - Jermaine
- The Genesis of Lincoln (2014) - T.J. McGriff
- Lap Dance (2014) - Pauly
- Bleeding Hearts (2015) - Chris Walker
- Diamond Ruff (2015) - Rev. Trek Woods
- Sweet Lorraine (2015) - Lincoln Kennedy
- Trap City (2020) - Jacoby
- Crossover (2021)-Chris
Television
- Atlanta (2016) ... Bald Man
- Black Dynamite (2014) ... Arnold's Talking Stomach (voice)
- Parenthood (2011-2013) ... Mista Ray
- NYC 22 (2012) ... Teef
- The Closer (2010-2011) ... Reggie Moses
- Let's Talk About Pep (2010) Episode #1.3 (2010) ... Dennis White
- Miracle's Boys (2005) (TV Mini-Series) ... Virgil
- Jonny Zero (2005) ... Pillsbury
- The Jury (2004) ... Derrick Smith-Bey
- Fuse's Summer Jam X (2003) (TV Movie) ... Host
- Weekend Vibe (2002) ... Segment Host (2004)
Video games
- The Warriors (2005) - Sid, Glenn, Keenan, Jonah (voices, as Dennis White)
- Def Jam Fight for NY (2004) - Baxter (voice, as Dennis Da Menace)
Producer
- Dreams (2013/I) - (associate producer)
Self
- Daily Download (2004) - Daily Download (TV Series) - Himself - Host (2004)
- Adventures of Dennis Da Menace: South Beach (documentary) (2001) - Himself
- Chat Zone (2001) - (TV Series) - Host (2004)
References
- A. O. Scott. "Notorious (2009) A Rapper's Tale, Larger Than Life". New York Times. 16 January 16, 2009
- Williams, Houston. "Dennis White: The Realest Thespian In Hollywood". allhiphop.com. 11 October 2010.
- Colclough, Glenys. "Notorious Elevation: A Conversation with Dennis LA White". Prominence Magazine. p. 43. Fall 2010.