---
name: "Charles S. Dutton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/charles-s-dutton"
roles: ["Director"]
born: "30 January 1951"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_as: "director"
average_over: 0
updated: "2026-09-19T16:08:44.007097+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Charles S. Dutton

Director. Born 30 January 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director
- **Born:** 30 January 1951, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- **Active:** 1992–2004
- **Also known as:**  Charles Dutton, چارلز اس. داتون, チャールズ・ダットン
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 3 Emmys (3 won · 2 nominated)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 75 (3), 2000s 78 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_S._Dutton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q706513, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001165/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17764

## Biography

Charles S. Dutton is an American actor and director. He was born on 30 January 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland. He trained at Hagerstown Community College, Towson University and the Yale School of Drama, from which he received an MFA in 1983.

Dutton began his career on stage, appearing in August Wilson plays on Broadway including *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* and *The Piano Lesson*, earning Tony Award nominations for both. He is known for his lead role in the television series *Roc* (1991–1994) and for playing Dillon in the film *Alien³* (1992). Other notable film roles include *A Time to Kill* (1996), *Gothika* (2003) and appearances in *Se7en* (1995) and *House* (2004–2012).

As a director, Dutton helmed the HBO miniseries *The Corner* (2000), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award. He has won three Primetime Emmys in total.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (4)

- *House* (2004), Fi1m 78, as Rodney Foreman — [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Oz* (1997), Fi1m 80, as Professor Alvah Case — [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md)
- *Menace II Society* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Mr. Butler — [page](https://film.one/film/menace-ii-society.md)
- *Alien³* (1992), Fi1m 62, as Dillon — [page](https://film.one/film/alien3.md)

## Complete filmography (108)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Carter High* (2015), as Coach James
- *The Perfect Guy* (2015), as Roger Vaughn
- *What Lola Wants* (2015), as Cop
- *Bessie* (2015), as William 'Pa' Rainey
- *A Novel Romance* (2015), as Harris
- *A Very Larry Christmas* (2014), as Alberic
- *Comeback Dad* (2014), as Othell
- *Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery* (2014), as Cookie (voice)
- *Android Cop* (2014), as Mayor Jacobs
- *The Monkey's Paw* (2013), as Detective Margolis
- *Zero Hour* (2013), series, as Father Mickle
- *The Following* (2013), series, as FBI Director Tom Franklin
- *LUV* (2013), as Cofield
- *Least Among Saints* (2012), as George
- *The Obama Effect* (2012), as John Thomas · Director, Writer
- *Longmire* (2012), series, as Detective Fales, Fales
- *Bad Ass* (2012), as Panther
- *40 Minutes of Hell* (2012), as Narrator
- *American Horror Story* (2011), series, as Detective Granger
- *Back Into the Tunnels: The Making of 'Mimic'* (2011), Thanks
- *Law & Order: LA* (2010), series, as Reverend Davidson
- *Legion* (2010), as Percy Walker
- *Fame* (2009), as Mr. James Dowd
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Pastor Damon — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Dark Blue* (2009), series, as Walter Shell
- *The Express* (2008), as Willie 'Pops' Davis
- *American Violet* (2008), as Reverend Sanders
- *Racing for Time* (2008), as Lt. Stack · Director
- *The Third Nail* (2008), as Sydney Washington
- *Honeydripper* (2007), as Maceo
- *The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays* (2006), as Boy Willie (segment "The Piano Lesson")
- *Sleeper Cell* (2005), series, Director
- *Mayday* (2005), as Admiral Randolf Hennings
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Tony Cole
- *My Name Is Earl* (2005), series, as Reggie
- *Threshold* (2005), series, as J.T. Baylock
- *The L.A. Riot Spectacular* (2005), as The Mayor
- *House* (2004), series, as Rodney Foreman — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Clubhouse* (2004), series, Actor
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Talmadge Neville
- *Something the Lord Made* (2004), as William Thomas
- *Secret Window* (2004), as Ken Karsch
- *Against the Ropes* (2004), as Felix Reynolds · Director
- *The L Word* (2004), series, as Dr. Benjamin Bradshaw
- *Gothika* (2003), as Douglas Grey
- *D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear* (2003), as Chief Charles Moose
- *Conviction* (2002), as Carl's Father
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Chet Collins
- *10,000 Black Men Named George* (2002), as Milton Webster
- *D-Tox* (2002), as Detective Hendricks
- *For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story* (2000), as Dizzy Gillespie
- *Ed* (2000), series, as Rev. Thomas Carver
- *Deadlocked* (2000), as Jacob Doyle
- *The Corner* (2000), series, Director
- *Aftershock: Earthquake in New York* (1999), series, as Mayor Bruce Lincoln
- *Random Hearts* (1999), as Alcee
- *Cookie's Fortune* (1999), as Willis Richland
- *The '60s* (1999), as Reverend Willie Taylor
- *The '60s* (1999), series, as Reverend Willie Taylor
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Officer Wilmore — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Blind Faith* (1998), as Charles Williams
- *Black Dog* (1998), as Ford
- *First Time Felon* (1997), as Inmate (uncredited) · Director
- *Mimic* (1997), as Leonard
- *Oz* (1997), series, as Professor Alvah Case — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md)
- *True Women* (1997), series, as Josiah
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Leonard Marshall
- *Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance* (1996), Actor
- *Get on the Bus* (1996), as George
- *Night Visitors* (1996), as Dr. Eldon James
- *A Time to Kill* (1996), as Ozzie Walls
- *Last Dance* (1996), as John Henry Reese (uncredited)
- *Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us* (1996), as Charles Silvera
- *Cry, the Beloved Country* (1995), as John Kumalo
- *Nick of Time* (1995), as Hucy
- *Se7en* (1995), as Cop (uncredited) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/se7en.md)
- *Jack Reed: One of Our Own* (1995), Actor
- *Zooman* (1995), as Emmett
- *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Ol' George (voice)
- *The Piano Lesson* (1995), as Boy Willie
- *A Low Down Dirty Shame* (1994), as Rothmiller
- *Jack Reed: A Search for Justice* (1994), Actor
- *Foreign Student* (1994), as Howlin' Wolf
- *Surviving the Game* (1994), as Cole
- *A Matter of Justice* (1993), series, Actor
- *Rudy* (1993), as Fortune
- *Laurel Avenue* (1993), series, Executive Producer
- *Menace II Society* (1993), as Mr. Butler — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/menace-ii-society.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Elijah Sanborn — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *The Distinguished Gentleman* (1992), as Elijah Hawkins
- *Are You Afraid of the Dark?* (1992), series, as Captain Jonas Cutter
- *Alien³* (1992), as Dillon — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/alien3.md)
- *Mississippi Masala* (1991), as Tyrone Williams
- *Roc* (1991), series, as Roc Emerson
- *Q & A* (1990), as Sam Chapman
- *An Unremarkable Life* (1989), as Lou
- *Jacknife* (1989), as Jake, Veteran Encounter Group Leader
- *Runaway* (1989), as Ralph Colby
- *A Man Called Hawk* (1989), series, Actor
- *Crocodile Dundee II* (1988), as Leroy Brown
- *The Murder of Mary Phagan* (1988), series, as Jim Conley
- *Astonished* (1988), as White
- *No Mercy* (1986), as Sergeant Sandy
- *Apology* (1986), as Asst. District Attorney
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Abmennet
- *Cat's Eye* (1985), as Dom
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Lieutenant Pearson, Ed McCain — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, Actor — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)

## Gallery

- ![Charles S. Dutton at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/288877/gallery-caa6aab4adac.jpg) Charles S. Dutton at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival. — gdcgraphics at https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdcgraphics/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/CharlesSDutton07TIFF.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Charles S. Dutton](https://film.one/media/person/288877/gallery-eac34991d2e0.jpg) Charles S. Dutton — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel  Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Charles_Dutton_2000.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Charles S. Dutton of Equus, directed by Brad Mays. May, 1979, Baltimore](https://film.one/media/person/288877/gallery-5c292aeb36b6.jpg) Charles S. Dutton of Equus, directed by Brad Mays. May, 1979, Baltimore — Bradmays, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Equus-Dysart02Online.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Charles S. Dutton](https://film.one/media/person/288877/gallery-3f5f77909836.jpg) Charles S. Dutton — Image via TMDB
- ![Charles S. Dutton](https://film.one/media/person/288877/gallery-be6bc28dd54c.jpg) Charles S. Dutton — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 3 won, 2 nominated

- 2003: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Without a Trace*
- 2002: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *The Practice*
- 2000: Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special (won), for *The Corner*
- 1999: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Oz*
- 1995: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Hallmark Hall of Fame*

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1999: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie (nominated), for *Blind Faith*

### Other awards — 5 won, 17 nominated

- Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble 2010: Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble (nominated), for *American Violet*
- Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor 2010: Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *American Violet*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special 2009: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special (nominated), for *Racing for Time*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special 2004: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special (won), for *D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture 2004: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Gothika*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special 2003: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special (won), for *10,000 Black Men Named George*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 2003: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Without a Trace*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 2002: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *The Sopranos*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special 2001: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special (nominated)
- Independent Spirit Awards 2000: Best Supporting Male (nominated), for *Cookie's Fortune*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture 2000: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Cookie's Fortune*
- Independent Spirit Awards 1999: Best Supporting Male (nominated), for *Blind Faith*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 1999: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Oz*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture 1997: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *A Time to Kill*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special 1996: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special (nominated), for *The Piano Lesson*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture 1996: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Cry, the Beloved Country*
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series 1993: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Roc*
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play 1990: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1990: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play 1985: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (won)
- Theatre World Award 1985: Theatre World Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 1985: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/charles-s-dutton