American actor and director Charles Stanley Dutton is known for his remarkable journey from incarceration to critical acclaim in the entertainment industry. Born on January 30, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland, Dutton experienced a turbulent youth marked by a lack of direction and educational setbacks. He dropped out of middle school and showed little interest in continuing his education at the time.
As a teenager, Dutton was drawn to boxing. His formidable physical build gave him an edge in the ring, but a tragic incident during a street fight resulted in the accidental death of another man. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison. After serving his sentence, his troubled lifestyle led to another incarceration—this time a three-year term for possession of a deadly weapon.
While in prison, Dutton’s life took a transformative turn. He happened upon an anthology of Black playwrights, which profoundly inspired him. Motivated by this discovery, he earned his General Educational Development (GED) certificate and developed a passion for the arts, particularly acting. This marked the beginning of his commitment to changing both his life and future.
After his release, Dutton pursued formal education in drama. He enrolled at Towson State University in Baltimore and earned a degree in drama. His academic journey continued at the prestigious Yale School of Drama, where he received a master’s degree in acting. At Yale, he refined his craft and laid the foundation for a serious career in theater and film.
Dutton made his professional stage debut in 1984 with the Broadway production of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. His powerful performance earned him the Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. Between 1985 and 1991, he appeared in several television shows and films, often in supporting or guest roles. These included appearances in Miami Vice, The Equalizer, Cagney & Lacey, Cat’s Eye, The Murder of Mary Phagan, and Apology.
| Net Worth 2021: | 11 million |
