| Jméno: | Blair Underwood |
| Datum narození: | 1964-08-25 |
| Místo narození: | Tacoma, Washington, USA |
| Výška: | 1.80 m |
| IMDb ID: | nm0005516 |
Blair Underwood (born August 25, 1964) is an American television and film actor. He is perhaps best known as headstrong attorney Jonathan Rollins from the NBC legal drama L.A. Law, a role he portrayed for seven years. He has gained critical acclaim throughout his career, receiving numerous Golden Globe Award nominations, three NAACP Image Awards and 1 Grammy Award. His feature film debut was the 1985 movie Krush Groove. His 1985 appearance on The Cosby Show landed him a short stint on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, which eventually led to his performance on the TV series L.A. Law, where he appeared from 1987 to 1994. Underwood broke into film with roles in Just Cause (1995), Set It Off (1996) and Deep Impact (1998). He also had a supporting role as a geneticist in the film Gattaca. In 2000, he played the lead role in the short-lived television series City of Angels. In 2003, he guest starred in four episodes on the HBO series Sex and the City playing Cynthia Nixon's love interest. In 2004, he played the role of Roger De Souza opposite Heather Locklear in NBC's LAX. He gained acclaim as the sexy grade school teacher in the CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus for two years. In 2007, he guest starred in an episode of the NBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His also had a role as recurring character Alex in the HBO series In Treatment. Also in 2007, Underwood co-authored the novel Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Novel with husband-and-wife team Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due. He's also had recurring roles on Dirty Sexy Money, NBC's The Event, Ironside, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Quantico. He has received three NAACP Image Awards, for his film work in Rules of Engagement, and his television work in L.A. Law, City of Angels, Murder in Mississippi and Mama Flora's Family. He was voted one of People's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2000, and one of TV Guide's "Most Influential Faces of the 90s".
- On the show Who Do You Think You Are? (2010) he found out that his great-great grandfather thought he was the second coming of Jesus, and was shot four times. He also discovered that a great-great-great grandfather was born a free African-American in the early 1800s, and owned two slaves (that the historian helping him thought were the parents of the free black man). Blair also took a DNA test to see where his ancestors were from, and found out that he is 74% African and 26% European (mostly French). Researchers found a genetic tenth cousin of Blair's who lives in Cameroon, and Blair and his father went to Cameroon to meet him and his family.
- His father was a U.S. Army Colonel
- His support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association won him the 1993 Humanitarian Award, presented by the Los Angeles Chapter of MDA. He is also co-founder of Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), founded in 1989, which supports a democratic South Africa with equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.
- Began career as a performer at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.
- Is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.
- Was considered for the role of Nino Brown in New Jack City (1991) but turned down the role & Wesley Snipes, was cast instead.
- Attended Carnegie Mellon University.
- Son, Paris, born 1997 and daughter, Brielle, born 1998.
- He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care."
- Voted one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2000 and one of TV Guide's most influential faces of the 90s.
- Has an older brother and two younger sisters.
- His mother was in interior design.
- Attended same high school, Petersburg High School (Petersburg, VA) in the early 80s, as R&B crooner Trey Songz (early 2000s).
- Almost starred as Steven Freeman in Pátek třináctého 9 (1993), but dropped out at the last minute due to personal reasons. John D. LeMay ultimately played the role.
- Underwood received a 2020 Tony Award nomination in the category Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for the revival of "A Soldier's Play" by Charles Fuller.
- Is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
- Son Blake Ellis (with wife 'Désirée DaCosta') was born weighing 7 lbs 2 oz. (June 9, 2001)
- Youngest sister Mellisa is a chef.
