Rockmond Dunbar: Movies & Box Office

Rockmond Dunbar (born January 11, 1973 in Oakland, California) is an American actor best known for his versatile roles across television, film, and even art installations. He first gained notice as Baines on the NBC series Earth 2 and later solidified his reputation with the charismatic Kenny Chadway on Showtime’s family drama Soul Food, a performance that earned him a spot on TV Guide’s “Television’s 50 Sexiest Stars of All Time.” Dunbar’s breakout national fame arrived with his portrayal of Benjamin Miles “C‑Note” Franklin on the Fox hit Prison Break, a role that showcased his ability to blend toughness with emotional depth. Following that success he appeared as Sheriff Eli Roosevelt on FX’s outlaw saga Sons of Anarchy, took on FBI Agent Dennis Abbott on The Mentalist, and joined the ensemble of the emergency‑services drama 9‑1‑1 as Michael Grant, a part he left in 2021 amid a high‑profile dispute over COVID‑19 vaccine mandates. Beyond the small screen, Dunbar has film credits ranging from the Sundance‑premiered indie Punks to Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys, and he even posed for the November 2003 issue of Playgirl. A graduate of Oakland Technical High School, he briefly attended Morehouse College before completing studies at the College of Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico. His personal life includes marriages to Ivy Holmes (2003‑2006) and actress Maya Gilbert (married 2013), with whom he shares four children. An active member of the Church of Universal Wisdom, Dunbar’s legal battle with Disney/Fox over religious and racial discrimination claims made headlines in 2022, highlighting his staunch defense of personal belief. He also embraces his Yoruba heritage, having been given the name Omobowale during a visit to Nigeria, a nod to his ancestry rooted in the Yoruba people of West Africa.