
Blair Underwood
Award-Winning Actor, Author and Education Advocate
A charismatic and versatile actor, Blair Underwood has found success acting in television, on stage, and on the big screen. His success has been driven by the underlying belief that, in order to achieve longevit y in the acting business, you must diversify yourself and become as flexible as possible. Underwood’s first big screen role…
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Full Bio
A charismatic and versatile actor, Blair Underwood has found success acting in television, on stage, and on the big screen. His success has been driven by the underlying belief that, in order to achieve longevit y in the acting business, you must diversify yourself and become as flexible as possible.
Underwood’s first big screen role was in the movie Krush Groove. From there, he burst into the national spotlight in the NBC hit series L.A. Law in a role that earne d him a Golden Globe nomination.
Underwood has appeared on television as a recurring guest star in the final season of Sex and the City, a role for which he garnered two NAACP Image Award nominations; in the ABC drama Dirty Sexy Money; opposite Gabriel Byrne the HBO drama series In Treatment; in the CBS award – winning comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine; as Jackie Robinson in HBO’s Soul of the Game, for which he received another NAACP Image Award nomination; in Showtime’s The Wishing Tree ; in TNT’s a ward – winning Heat Wave; and as the President of the United States in the NBC suspense – drama The Event.
He is set to star as “Robert T. Ironside,” a police detective relegated to a wheelchair after a shooting, in NBC’s reboot of the 1967 series Ironside.A gifted and sought – after film actor, Underwood can most recently be seen lighting up the big screen in starring roles in Madea’s Family Reunion , the smash sequel to Tyler Perry’s hit Diary of a Mad Black Woman , and Something New , a romantic comedy co – starri ng Sanaa Lathan. He has also co – starred in Malibu’s Most Wanted ; opposite Julia Roberts in Full Frontal ; and as a Marine Captain in Rules of Engagement, for which he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Film.
That same year he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his starring role in Steven Bochco’s City of Angels. Underwood’s other film credits include his portrayals of a space shuttle flight navigator in the hit Deep Impact; a death row inmate in Just Cause; a geneticist in Gattaca; a sheriff in Posse; and a corporate banker in Set It Off, for which he received yet another NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.
In the independent film world, Underwood ha s starred in and produced the independent drama How Did It Feel? He also starred in the independent films G, Truth Be Told, and My Soul to Keep, a supernatural thriller based on the novel by Tananarive Due, as well as in the Amazon.com short film Do Geese See God.
Underwood’s feature directorial debut — the independent drama The Bridge to Nowhere starring Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips, and Ving Rhames — i s the story of four blue – collar 20 – something men f rom North Pittsburgh who team up with a destitute prosti tute to create a high – priced escort service. The dark story follows their rise and inevitable spiraling descent. As director, executive producer, writer, and star of the dramatic short The Second Coming, Underwood played Jesus Christ returning to earth.
In addition, he produced and starred in the independent thriller Asunder and the short film Sister, I’m Sorry . He produced the TLC series Easy Money with his partner Tommy Morgan Jr. for their Intrepid Inc. production company, and co – executive produced the r eality competition Stage Black for TV One. He also has five music videos to his directing credit. In 2004, Underwood had a workshop/tour of his one – man show IM4: From the Mountaintop to Hip Hop. The play, which he created and conceived and which was writte n by his brother, is the story of a rap mogul who gets gunned down. During his heavenly journey, the mogul meets the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Underwood played eight characters. His theater credits include the recent New York revival of the awar d – winning musical, Purlie , Measure for Measure , at the 1993 New York Shakespeare Festival, El Negro en Peru, The Game of Love and Chance , and Love Letters opposite Alfre Woodard. He recently portrayed Jesus in the audio book The Bible Experience which, sin ce its release in October 2006, has become the #1 audio Bible in history. He has also authored the book Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Novel , along with Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes; it was named an Essence “Book of the Month” pick.
Underwood has received 12 industry nods from the Golden Globes and the NAACP Image Awards, with five wins from the NAACP Image Awards, for his roles in film and television on City of Angels , Rules of Engagement, L.A. Law, Mama Flora’s Family, and Murder in Mississippi. In 2000, People magazine named him one of its “50 Most Beautiful People,” and in 2004 named him one of the “Sexiest Men Alive.” Involved in numerous charitable organizations, Underwood’s dedicated support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association won him the 1993 Humanitarian Award. He is also co – founder of Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA, ansafrica.org).
Founded in 1989 with Alfre Woodard, Danny Glover, Mary Steenburgen and other friends in the arts and entertainment community, ANSA supports a democratic South Africa with equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Defining Your Dream
Kids & Family
Diversity
From the Mountaintop to Hip-Hop
Underwood will share his own rules for success and an inspiring message about achieving excellence
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Blair Underwood, AIU Online 2015 Graduation Keynote Speaker
Priyanka Chopra and Blair Underwood Talk 'Quantico' Premiere
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