Dennis Haysbert

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Dennis Dexter Haysbert (born June 2, 1954) is an American film and television actor. He is probably best known for portraying the role of David Palmer from the American television show 24.

1 Biography
- 1.1 Personal life
- 1.2 Career
2 Selected filmography
3 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Personal life

Haysbert was born in San Mateo, California. He is the eighth of nine children. After high school, measuring 6'4" tall, Haysbert was offered various athletic scholarships, but instead chose to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Haysbert is the divorced father of two.

[edit] Career

Haysbert has been acting in film and television since 1979, starting with a guest role in The White Shadow. His television guest starring roles include Lou Grant, Laverne & Shirley, The A-Team, Magnum, P.I., Buck Rogers and Duckman.

On film, Haysbert has appeared in Absolute Power, Random Hearts and Far From Heaven among others. In 1989, Haysbert portrayed Pedro Cerrano, a voodoo-practicing baseball player in the movie Major League, in which he uttered the memorable line: "It is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Very bad". In 1992, Haysbert co-starred with Michelle Pfeiffer in Love Field, a film about the assassination and funeral of President John F. Kennedy. In 1999, Haysbert starred with Eric Close in Now and Again, which was cancelled after its first season.

In 2001, Haysbert became better known when he was cast in 24 playing the African-American Senator (later President) David Palmer. He maintained his status as a cast member through seasons two and three. As a guest star, he appeared in the last six episodes of season 4 and the first episode of season 5.

In addition to television and film acting, Haysbert has also done voice work for various video games, most notably as Irving Lambert in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell series and narrator of Call of Duty: Finest Hour.

Haysbert is the official spokesman for the Allstate Insurance Company. His commercials typically end with one of two the Allstate Corporation's official slogans, either Are you in good hands? or That's Allstate's stand. Haysbert also voices the Military Channel's commercials with their official slogan: "The Military Channel -- Go Behind the Lines."

He also is an active character in the CBS action-drama The Unit, portraying Jonas Blane.

On March 4th, Haysbert guest starred on Saturday Night Live. He hosted the "Belated Black History Moment" segment, which featured fictional African-American cartoons that tried, but failed, to make an impact upon American culture in the 1990s.

He is billed as playing Nelson Mandella in Goodbye Bafana (2006).