---
name: "Common"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/common"
fi1m_id: "common"
imdb_id: "nm0996669"
tmdb_id: 4238
wikidata_id: "Q286022"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 March 1972"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 58
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-23T04:07:29.341762+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."
---

# Common

## Identity

Common

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/common
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** common
- **IMDb ID:** nm0996669
- **TMDB ID:** 4238
- **Wikidata ID:** Q286022
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_(rapper), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q286022, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0996669/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4238

Actor. Born 13 March 1972 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 March 1972, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 2008–present
- **Also known as:**  Lonnie Rashid Lynn , Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr.
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 10: 9 acting, 1 other
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 58, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 64 (3), 2010s 55 (6), 2020s 75 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 58 to 55 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 4, Thriller 4, Crime 3, Drama 3, Action & Adventure 1, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,086m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_(rapper), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q286022, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0996669/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4238

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Selma*](https://film.one/film/selma.md) (84)
- **Pluto TV:** [*John Wick: Chapter 2*](https://film.one/film/john-wick-chapter-2.md) (76)
- **Apple TV:** [*Silo*](https://film.one/tv/silo.md) (75)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Wanted*](https://film.one/film/wanted.md) (68)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Now You See Me*](https://film.one/film/now-you-see-me.md) (53)
- **AMC+:** [*Hell on Wheels*](https://film.one/tv/hell-on-wheels.md) (52)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Common

> Common is convincing when a role gives him authority and a strong ensemble to work within. *Selma* makes good use of his seriousness; *Silo* shows why that quality still needs a plot willing to get on with things.

In *Silo* (2023), Common's Robert Sims is head of security, a useful position for an actor who is convincing with authority. We accept him as someone other people have to answer to. Our recommendation of the programme rests chiefly on Rebecca Ferguson and the persuasive underground setting. Common fits that setting, but the wandering plot still demands patience: even a credible security chief cannot make the discoveries arrive sooner.

His move from music into acting in the mid-2000s brought early roles in *Smokin' Aces* (2006) and Ridley Scott's *American Gangster* (2007). Television gave him a longer stretch as Elam Ferguson in *Hell on Wheels* (2011–2014). In *John Wick: Chapter 2* (2017), the assassin Cassian offered another use for his intensity. These are sensible parts for him, though they also suggest how easily casting can settle on one useful quality and keep asking for it.

*Selma* (2014) gives that seriousness a more rewarding use. As James Bevel, Common belongs to Ava DuVernay's ensemble of organisers, and his research into Bevel is a useful indication of how carefully he approached the part. We were moved by the strain David Oyelowo finds beneath King's authority, because it makes leadership feel like hard work. Common's contribution sits within that collective effort, and we value the conviction he brings without mistaking him for the film's centre. Some exchanges sound too prepared, but DuVernay makes the practical business of organising gripping enough to carry the film through them.

The caveat is that security chiefs and assassins come with a good deal of authority already supplied by the job title. We would like to see more parts that ask what Common can do when he has none. Start with *Selma*, where he has a place in an ensemble worth spending an evening with.

## Biography

Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn on 13 March 1972 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American rapper and actor. He began his music career in the early 1990s under the name Common Sense and later achieved mainstream success with albums such as *Like Water for Chocolate* (2000) and *Be* (2005).

He has appeared in numerous films, including *American Gangster* (2007), *Wanted* (2008) and *John Wick: Chapter 2* (2017). In *Selma* (2014) he portrayed civil rights leader James Bevel and co-wrote the song "Glory" with John Legend, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Common has also received three Grammy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.

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

## On Fi1m (10)

### Performed in (9) — the average rests on these

- *Silo* (2023), Fi1m 75, as Robert Sims — [page](https://film.one/tv/silo.md)
- *John Wick: Chapter 2* (2017), Fi1m 76, as Cassian — [page](https://film.one/film/john-wick-chapter-2.md)
- *Suicide Squad* (2016), Fi1m 41, as Monster T — [page](https://film.one/film/suicide-squad.md)
- *Selma* (2014), Fi1m 84, as James Bevel — [page](https://film.one/film/selma.md)
- *Movie 43* (2013), Fi1m 24, as Bob Mone (segment "The Pitch") — [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)
- *Now You See Me* (2013), Fi1m 53, as Evans — [page](https://film.one/film/now-you-see-me.md)
- *Hell on Wheels* (2011), Fi1m 52, as Elam Ferguson — [page](https://film.one/tv/hell-on-wheels.md)
- *Terminator Salvation* (2009), Fi1m 49, as Barnes — [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-salvation.md)
- *Wanted* (2008), Fi1m 68, as The Gunsmith — [page](https://film.one/film/wanted.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Dave Chappelle's Block Party* (2005), Fi1m 75, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/dave-chappelles-block-party.md)

## Complete filmography (79)

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

- *Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association* (2026), series, as Narrator (voice) · Executive Producer
- *Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott* (2025), Music
- *SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)* (2025), Executive Producer
- *Four Letters* (2024), Music
- *Hip-Hop and the White House* (2024), Actor
- *Breathe* (2024), as Darius
- *Justice, USA* (2024), series, Executive Producer
- *Fool's Paradise* (2023), as The Dagger
- *Silo* (2023), series, as Robert Sims — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/silo.md)
- *Between Riverside and Crazy* (2023), as Junior
- *StoryBots: Answer Time* (2022), series, as Mr. Wonderful
- *Alice* (2022), as Frank · Executive Producer, Original Music Composer
- *Glitter Ain't Gold* (2022), Executive Producer
- *Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices* (2020), series, Actor
- *Ava* (2020), as Michael
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Westley
- *Never Have I Ever* (2020), series, as Dr. Chris Jackson — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/never-have-i-ever-2020.md)
- *The Informer* (2019), as Grens
- *The Kitchen* (2019), as Gary Silvers
- *Here and Now* (2018), as Ben
- *Hunter Killer* (2018), as RA John Fisk
- *The Hate U Give* (2018), as Uncle Carlos
- *All About Nina* (2018), as Rafe
- *Saint Judy* (2018), as Benjamin Adebayo
- *Smallfoot* (2018), as Stonekeeper (voice)
- *Ocean's Eight* (2018), as Common — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-eight.md)
- *The Tale* (2018), as Martin
- *The Chi* (2018), series, as Rafiq
- *Love Beats Rhymes* (2017), as Coltrane
- *Marshall* (2017), Lyricist
- *Girls Trip* (2017), as Common
- *Misdirection: The Real Magic* (2017), as Narrator
- *Megan Leavey* (2017), as Gunny Martin
- *A Happening of Monumental Proportions* (2017), as Daniel
- *John Wick: Chapter 2* (2017), as Cassian — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/john-wick-chapter-2.md)
- *Letter to the Free* (2016), Actor
- *An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win* (2016), Executive Producer
- *Suicide Squad* (2016), as Monster T — Fi1m 41, [page](https://film.one/film/suicide-squad.md)
- *VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens* (2016), Actor
- *Being Charlie* (2016), as Travis
- *Barbershop: The Next Cut* (2016), as Jabari
- *Two Trains Runnin'* (2016), as Narrator · Executive Producer
- *The Wiz Live!* (2015), as The Bouncer
- *Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives* (2015), Actor
- *Unity* (2015), as Narrator (voice)
- *Entourage* (2015), as Common
- *Run All Night* (2015), as Mr. Price
- *Selma* (2014), as James Bevel, Songs — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/selma.md)
- *Every Secret Thing* (2014), as Devlin Hatch
- *X/Y* (2014), as Jason
- *Now You See Me* (2013), as Evans — Fi1m 53, [page](https://film.one/film/now-you-see-me.md)
- *Pawn* (2013), as Jeff Porter
- *Movie 43* (2013), as Bob Mone (segment "The Pitch") — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)
- *LUV* (2013), as Uncle Vincent
- *The Mindy Project* (2012), series, as Security Guard — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mindy-project.md)
- *The Odd Life of Timothy Green* (2012), as Coach Cal
- *New Year's Eve* (2011), as Soldier
- *Happy Feet Two* (2011), as Seymour (voice)
- *Hell on Wheels* (2011), series, as Elam Ferguson — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/tv/hell-on-wheels.md)
- *Just Wright* (2010), as Scott McKnight
- *Bouncing Cats* (2010), as Narrator
- *Date Night* (2010), as Collins
- *Terminator Salvation* (2009), as Barnes — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-salvation.md)
- *Wanted* (2008), as The Gunsmith — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/wanted.md)
- *Street Kings* (2008), as Coates
- *American Gangster* (2007), as Turner Lucas
- *Smokin' Aces* (2006), as Sir Ivy
- *Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out* (2005), series, Actor
- *Kanye West: College Dropout [Video Anthology]* (2005), as Airline Employee (segment "All Falls Down")
- *The Notorious B.I.G BET Official presents* (2005), Actor
- *Chappelle's Show* (2003), series, Actor
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Common
- *Girlfriends* (2000), series, as Omar
- *Pete Rock: Soul Survivor* (1998), as Common
- *TRL* (1998), series, Actor
- *The Chris Rock Show* (1997), series, Actor
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Common (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Hate to See You Go*, Actor
- *Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association*, Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Common](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-6f660a276ac9.jpg) Common — Steven Pisano - Feast  of Music from New York City, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Common_-_2018_%2841963868844%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![en:Common (rapper) at 2009 Obama Home States Inaugural Ball](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-195ae34a5583.jpg) en:Common (rapper) at 2009 Obama Home States Inaugural Ball — TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/en:WP:CHICAGO/en:WP:LOTM), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/20090120_Common_at_2009_Obama_Home_States_Inaugural_Ball.JPG/1280px-20090120_Common_at_2009_Obama_Home_States_Inaugural_Ball.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Hip-hop artist and actor Common at a signing for his 2011 book, One Day It'll All Make Sense, held at the Barnes & Noble in Tribeca on the day of the book's](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-881f40a54a21.jpg) Hip-hop artist and actor Common at a signing for his 2011 book, One Day It'll All Make Sense, held at the Barnes & Noble in Tribeca on the day of the book's — Luigi Novi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/9.13.11CommonByLuigiNovi2_%28Cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![May 25th, 2021 - Minneapolis — Common performs the hit song “Glory” with Sound of Blackness at George Floyd Square on the 1-year anniversary of George Floyd’s m](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-f15ce5709e8b.jpg) May 25th, 2021 - Minneapolis — Common performs the hit song “Glory” with Sound of Blackness at George Floyd Square on the 1-year anniversary of George Floyd’s m — Chad Davis from Minneapolis, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Common%2C_Sound_of_Blackness_George_Floyd_Square_May_25%2C_2021_%2851206377440%29.jpg/1280px-Common%2C_Sound_of_Blackness_George_Floyd_Square_May_25%2C_2021_%2851206377440%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Common](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-cd2dba48c571.jpg) Common — Image via TMDB
- ![Common](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-4f8f05e9c223.jpg) Common — Image via TMDB
- ![Common at the opening night of "Fear of 13" on Broadway - April 15, 2026](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-22384177d697.jpg) Common at the opening night of "Fear of 13" on Broadway - April 15, 2026 — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Common-byPhilipRomano.jpg/1280px-Common-byPhilipRomano.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Common at the opening night of "Fear of 13" on Broadway - April 15, 2026](https://film.one/media/person/121258/gallery-73ccdcc4b6ff.jpg) Common at the opening night of "Fear of 13" on Broadway - April 15, 2026 — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Common-byPhilipRomano2.jpg/1280px-Common-byPhilipRomano2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2018: Best Original Song (nominated), for *Stand Up for Something*
- 2015: Best Original Song (won), for *Glory*

### Other awards — 8 won, 35 nominated

- Black Reel Award for Best Original or Adapted Song 2015: Black Reel Award for Best Original or Adapted Song (won), for *Glory*
- Soul Train Music Award for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award 2015: Soul Train Music Award for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award (won), for *Glory*
- BET Award for Best Actor & Actress 2013: BET Award for Best Actor & Actress (nominated), for *LUV*
- BET Award for Best Actor & Actress 2012: BET Award for Best Actor & Actress (nominated), for *Hell on Wheels*
- BET Her Award 2012: BET Her Award (won)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist 2012: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture 2011: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Just Wright*
- Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance 2010: Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance (nominated)
- BET Award for Best Actor & Actress 2009: BET Award for Best Actor & Actress (nominated), for *Street Kings*
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Album 2009: Grammy Award for Best Rap Album (nominated), for *Universal Mind Control*
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group 2009: Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist 2009: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist 2008: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Album 2007: Grammy Award for Best Rap Album (nominated), for *Finding Forever*
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group 2007: Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (won)
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance 2007: Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work  – Children 2007: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work  – Children (nominated)
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction 2006: MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction (nominated)
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction 2006: MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction (nominated)
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video 2006: MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist 2006: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video 2006: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song 2006: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song (nominated), for *Testify*
- Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video 2006: Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video (nominated)
- Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo 2006: Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance 2005: Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Album 2005: Grammy Award for Best Rap Album (nominated), for *Be*
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group 2005: Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance 2005: Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance (nominated)
- MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video 2005: MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video (nominated)
- BET Award for Best Collaboration 2003: BET Award for Best Collaboration (nominated), for *Love of My Life*
- BET Award for Video of the Year 2003: BET Award for Video of the Year (won)
- BET Award for Viewer's Choice 2003: BET Award for Viewer's Choice (won)
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Song 2003: Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (won)
- MTV Video Music Award – MTV2 Award 2003: MTV Video Music Award – MTV2 Award (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group 2003: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video 2003: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video (nominated)
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song 2003: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song (nominated), for *Love of My Life*
- Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Female 2003: Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Female (nominated), for *Love of My Life*
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Song 2002: Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (won), for *Love of My Life*
- Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance 2002: Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance (nominated)
- MTV Video Music Award – Breakthrough Video 2001: MTV Video Music Award – Breakthrough Video (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance 2000: Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance (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/common