An Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in Million Dollar Baby (2005), his career is marked by iconic roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Glory, Unforgiven, Bruce Almighty, The Dark Knight, The Sum of All Fears, and Dolphin Tale.
He landed the lead role in a school play at age nine and initially pursued a drama scholarship. However, in 1955, he chose to serve in the U.S. Air Force as a radar mechanic instead.
He has expressed his belief that Black History Month should not exist because black history is an integral part of American history.
Married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from 1967 to 1979, and later to Myrna Colley-Lee in 1984, with a separation in 2010. His children include three daughters—Deena, Morgana, and Saifoulaye—and a son, Alfonso.
His performance alongside Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption (1994) remains one of his most celebrated roles.
