Dulé Hill Movies
Although his screen appearances, particularly that of his role as aide to the president on the TV series The West Wing, have earned him career success, Dule Hill's real love of the spotlight relates more closely to his love of tap dancing than of performing in other genres. Born in Orange, NJ, on May 3, 1974, and raised in Sayreville, NJ, Hill began dancing at the age of three. His Jamaican parents enrolled him in dance school as a young child, and he branched out into film and theater by the time he finished high school. After gaining attention as an actor for appearing in a Corn Pops commercial, as a high school senior, he played the role of Harlem in his first feature film, Sugar Hill, in 1993. That same year, he also had a small part in the TV movie Hallelujah, and on the series City Kids. His childhood theater experience would prove beneficial, as he chose to leave college before the end of his third year to perform Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk on Broadway.In 1997, he played the young Donald in the drama The Ditchdigger's Daughters, which explored the complex themes of race in America, as well as fatherhood. He appeared in the made-for-TV murder mystery Color of Justice, also relevant to racial issues, that year also. Switching to a more light-hearted genre, he played Preston in the teen romantic comedy She's All That, starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook, in 1999.
His recurring role on The West Wing, the drama series about political life in the White House, rounded off his widespread attention, along with his role in 2000's Men of Honor, the war drama starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jr. Having appeared with the ranks of several established Hollywood stars, Hill's dramatic talent grew increasingly apparent. In 2002, he appeared in another dramatic role, this time in the crime thriller Holes, with Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, and Patricia Arquette. ~ Sarah Sloboda, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Based on the memoirs of Yvonne S. Thornton, this heartwarming, inspirational family drama centers on a poor black laborer who wanted his six daughters to grow up to be doctors. With a determination bordering on obsession, he demands much of his girls, something they don't always appreciate. He also makes many personal sacrifices to make sure they will succeed in life. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Lumbly
If Hollywood can shoehorn William Shakespeare into the teen-movie treatment with Romeo and Juliet, and Jane Austen with Clueless (from her novel, Emma), why not George Bernard Shaw? While his Pygmalion has been staged and filmed endless times, most famously as the musical My Fair Lady, here Shaw goes to high school. This time around, a Los Angeles' school's most popular guy Zack (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) loses his girlfriend Taylor (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) to television star Brock Hudson (Scream's Matthew Lillard). Zack then vows to his friends that he can take any girl in school and turn her into the prom queen. With five weeks until the prom, his friends pick weird, art nerd Laney Boggs (Rachael Leigh Cook). Zack predictably gets more than he bargained for as he falls in love with his "creation." Eldon Hudson and Kieran Culkin, stars of The Mighty, play Laney's best friend and little brother, respectively. Robert Iscove, director of television's Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, makes his big-screen debut. ~ Chris Gore, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Freddie Prinze, Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, (more)
- 1999
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is furious about a plane carrying his personal physician being downed in the Middle East. After initially requesting a retaliatory attack that would kill a great many people, Bartlet's military advisors try to convince him to take a more cautionary maneuver. Journalist Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield) questions Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) about Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) having a relationship with a high-priced call girl. Having heard nothing about it, she confronts Sam about the issue and berates him for keeping her uninformed about such a dangerous political situation. Josh Lymon (Bradley Whitford) hires Charlie Young (Dulé Hill) to be the personal aide to the president. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
The staff must spend some political capital as the president is five votes short on a gun-control bill being voted on in the House. They must bargain with members of Congress, as well as Vice President John Hoynes (Tim Matheson), in order to get the needed "yea" votes. Communications Director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff) appears to have an ethical problem after a stock he invested in becomes lucrative. On the home front, Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer) gets into a marriage-ending argument with his wife who is upset about the amount of time he spends working. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Former flames Josh (Bradley Whitford) and Mandy (Moira Kelly) argue the merits of allowing an economic bill to pass through Congress even though political opponents have made an addition that would upset the pro-environment President Bartlett (Martin Sheen). C.J. (Allison Janey) must attempt to squelch a story that the president and Vice President Hoynes (Tim Matheson) disagreed passionately during a Cabinet meeting, while simultaneously deflecting the advances of reporter Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield), who is the best in the business at sniffing out a hot lead. Leo (John Spencer) is less than thrilled that his daughter has invited Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) to join her at the opera. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
While a gala state dinner for the leader of Indonesia is prepared for and transpires, the president (Martin Sheen) and his staff must deal with numerous sensitive situations. Federal agents are involved in an armed standoff with a group of extremists who are holding hostages, a powerful hurricane is coming down on a Naval vessel, and Teamsters are threatening to strike. Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield) flirts with Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney), Sam (Rob Lowe) spots his call-girl girlfriend at the dinner on the arm of a politician, and Josh, Toby, and C.J. attempt to get a request granted from an Indonesian official. This episode marks the first appearance of Stockard Channing as First Lady Abigail Bartlet. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Toby (Richard Schiff) and Mandy (Moira Kelly) combine together to pass a commerce bill that would alter the way the country's census is taken. They must persuade Mr. Willis (Al Fann), a congressman who holds his seat because his wife (who had been elected to the position) died. Having trouble understanding the complexities of the census issue, C.J. (Allison Janney) gets a crash course from Sam (Rob Lowe). President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) has a stern discussion with Leo McGarry (John Spencer) about Leo's failing marriage. Josh (Bradley Whitford) and Sam get into a sticky spot while out on the town with Zoey (Elisabeth Moss). ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Leo McGarry instructs the staff to take meetings with groups that have idiosyncratic requests of the government like pro-UFO lobbyists and another group that wants the government to build a road to be used exclusively by wolves. Toby (Richard Schiff) and the president (Martin Sheen) argue relentlessly about the president's plans for an upcoming California trip before confronting each other about Bartlet's original desire to hire a different Communications Director. Josh Lymon (Bradley Whitford ) is unnerved to discover that in case of nuclear attack he is one of the few White House workers who will have access to the safest shelters. All the while, Bartlet is cooking a pot of chili and planning a party for his soon-to-be Georgetown freshman daughter Zoey (Elisabeth Moss). ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
As the holiday season approaches, Toby (Richard Schiff) attempts to arrange a suitable burial for a homeless Korean War veteran who died in the cold. Sam (Rob Lowe) and Josh (Bradley Whitford) attempt to extract information that would be embarrassing to political rivals from Sam's high-priced call girl friend (Lisa Edelstein) after said opponents began a political battle against Leo (John Spencer). C.J. (Allison Janey) must deal with an infamous hate crime, and with the continued romantic advances of reporter Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield). The president (Martin Sheen) attempts to finish up his Christmas shopping. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
After Justice Joseph Crouch (Mason Adams) steps down from the Supreme Court, President Bartlett (Martin Sheen) questions his first choice to replace him, Peyton Cabot Harrison III (Ken Howard), when an old brief reveals he does not share the administration's position on privacy rights. Bartlett turns to controversial minority candidate Judge Roberto Mendoza (Edward James Olmos). As if this were not enough for the staff to deal with, a publicity-hound Congressman claims that one-third of the White House staff is on drugs, forcing the senior staff to consider instituting drug tests. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
This military drama is based on the true story of Carl Brashear, who was the first African-American to serve as a diver in the United States Navy. Brashear (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) was born to a poor farming family in the deep South, and joined the Navy in hopes of bettering himself. When Brashear applies for diving school, he first encounters Master Chief Billy Sunday (Robert De Niro), a gruff and tyrannical diving instructor who holds absolute sway over his charges. Sunday does little at first to encourage Brashear's ambitions, and the would-be diver discovers racism in the military is an ugly fact of life when his white comrades refuse to share barracks with him. But Brashear's courage and determination make an impression on Sunday, and the two men become allies as Brashear must fight prejudice, military bureaucracy, and even a crippling injury in order to realize his dreams. Originally announced under the title Navy Diver, Men of Honor also features Hal Holbrook, David Keith, Michael Rapaport, Charlize Theron, and Powers Boothe; Bill Cosby served as an executive producer for the project. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Cuba Gooding, Jr., (more)
Season one of The West Wing ended with a violent cliffhanger, as President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his staff were apparently targeted for assassination. As season two begins, it is revealed that the intended bull's-eye of the attack was actually Bartlet's young African-American aide, Charlie Young (Dule Hill), who had raised the hackles of white supremacists for getting "too friendly" with the president's daughter Zoey (Elizabeth Moss). There is a bit of suspense in the first couple of episodes, inasmuch as the full extent of injuries to Bartlet and his deputy chief of staff, Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), are not immediately revealed to the public. This potentially tragic occasion permits the series' writers to pause for a few moments and flash back to the early days of Bartlet's presidential campaign, thereby explaining how such loyal aides as Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), and C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) hopped on the Bartlet bandwagon. Janel Moloney, as Josh's assistant Donna Moss, is moved up to regular status this season, while Emily Procter joins the cast as White House clerk Ainsley Hayes, who as a devout Republican is at first cold-shouldered by everyone on the Bartlet staff except Leo, who is in awe of her photographic memory and organizational skills. Major season-two plot developments include President Bartlet's revelation to those within his private circle that he has multiple sclerosis, which may scotch his bid for a second term; the kidnapping of five DEA agents in South America, and the disastrous consequences of a rescue attempt; the efforts by the administration to push through a "Family Wellness" bill; a fomenting political crisis in Haiti; and a highly controversial governmental lawsuit against all of big tobacco. The season concludes with a profound personal tragedy for Bartlet involving his loyal secretary Delores (Kathryn Joosten), which leads to a crisis of faith and a momentous decision. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, (more)
- 2000
While President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is in Hollywood for a fundraiser hosted by politically active homosexual movie mogul Ted Marcus (Bob Balaban), Leo (John Spencer) is back in Washington politicking Vice President Hoynes (Tim Matheson) to vote the White House's position on an important tax bill that is currently in a 50-50 tie on the floor of the Senate. Meanwhile in L.A., Josh (Bradley Whitford) happily learns that political strategist Joey Lucas (Marlee Matlin) is staying in the same hotel as he is, and Bartlet meets his daughter Zoey's (Elisabeth Moss) new Secret Service bodyguard, Gina Toscano (Jorja Fox). ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This episode of The West Wing is structured as a flashback while Josh (Bradley Whitford) addresses a college class on the day-to-day workings of the White House. Toby (Richard Schiff) and Sam (Rob Lowe) must travel to Connecticut in order to smooth over troubles when Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) nominee for the Supreme Court, Roberto Mendoza (Edward James Olmos), is arrested for drunk driving. Media feeding frenzies abound when the African-American head of Housing and Urban Development, Debbie O'Leary (CCH Pounder), accuses a Republican leader of being a racist, and when Josh, subbing at a press conference for suddenly sick C.J. (Allison Janney), claims that the president possesses a "secret plan" to prevent inflation. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) has 48 hours to commute the death sentence of a man convicted of a controversial murder after the Supreme Court refuses to stop the execution. While struggling with the moral, ethical, legal, and religious issues of his decision, he calls on his former priest, Father Thomas Cavanaugh (Karl Malden) for guidance. Toby (Richard Schiff) weighs in on the topic after having a conversation about the death penalty with his rabbi (David Proval). Political strategist Joey Lucas (Marlee Matlin) wants to ask the president why her candidate has not received enough money from the Democratic National Committee. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
While Josh (Bradley Whitford) and Sam (Rob Lowe) deal with the political fallout from the attacks on Leo's (John Spencer) previous addictions, Toby (Richard Schiff) matches wits with elected officials who have attempted to stifle the Public Broadcasting Corporation. The entire staff must figure out the proper response to a recently released sexual education study, as well as figure out how to uninvite the father of a hate-crime victim to an important bill signing upon learning that he was apparently not sympathetic toward his gay son's sexual orientation. C.J. (Allison Janney) continues her flirtation with reporter Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield). ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Abigail Bartlet (Stockard Channing) makes some bold statements concerning policy during an appearance on a talk show, causing a rift between her staff and the White House staff. When the head of the Federal Reserve passes away, President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) must consider appointing his wife's college boyfriend to the position. Toby (Richard Schiff) is asked by Josh (Bradley Whitford) to soften his prickly persona before attending a sensitive meeting with a powerful member of Congress. Charlie (Dulé Hill) and Zoey (Elisabeth Moss) clash over what to do when the Secret Service asks them not to attend a public event together because of credible death threats from racists. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Serious health problems befall the White House as President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) passes out while preparing for the State of the Union Address, and Leo (John Spencer) publicly admits to his previous addictions to alcohol and pain killers. Lord Marbury (Roger Rees) finds a peaceful solution to the Pakistan/India issue. C.J. (Allison Janney) and Leo's daughter, Mallory (Allison Smith), each reveal romantic feelings for men in their lives. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2000
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) seeks out the advice of Lord Marbury (Roger Rees), whose intelligence in diplomatic affairs is matched only by his eccentricities, when a possible nuclear exchange could transpire between Pakistan and India. Mandy (Moira Kelly) desires to find out how the staff would feel if she were to represent a liberal Republican. Josh (Bradley Whitford) is forced to testify at a hearing concerning substance abuse among White House staffers. Charlie (Dulé Hill) and Zoey Bartlet (Elizabeth Moss) plan the best way to approach the president about the possibility of them dating. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Season three of The West Wing breaks the series' established continuity with the opening episode, "Isaac and Ishmael," hastily assembled to address the terrible events of September 11, 2001. Thereafter, the principal storyline picks up where season two left off, with President Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) facing possible impeachment because of his failure to make public his multiple sclerosis. Also dragged into the turmoil is First Lady Abby Bartlet (Stockard Channing), who as a doctor may face accusations of malpractice or at least dereliction of duty because she did not reveal her husband's condition. Season three is marked by a number of international crises, beginning with unrest in Haiti, continuing through the ominous disappearance of a nuclear submarine in North Korean waters, and ending with the U.S.'s possible complicity in the assassination of the terrorist foreign secretary of Qumar. Additionally, Bartlet and his staff work overtime to martial up support for the president's upcoming re-election bid (a decision made despite Josh's promise to Abby that he would serve only one term). Adding to the intrigue is the fact that there is no love lost between Bartlet and his vice president, John Hoynes (Tim Matheson), making the latter's placement on the re-election ticket questionable at best. Meanwhile, Press Secretary C.J. (Allison Janney) uncharacteristically loses her cool with the media in her efforts to "spin" the MS issue, and later must call upon the Secret Service to protect her from a demented stalker. And Josh's assistant, Donna Moss (Janel Moloney), finds herself in a bind when, after dating the head of the congressional investigation committee looking into charges of Bartlet's "medical coverup," she herself is summoned to testify. Further travails await Donna when, during a security checkup, she is not cleared because she is technically not a U.S. citizen! The season ends with a tense showdown between Bartlet's staff and the president's chief Republican antagonist, Robert Ritchie (James Brolin), and with the introduction of Lily Tomlin as Bartlet's new, infuriatingly efficient secretary, Debbie Fiderer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rob Lowe, Martin Sheen, (more)
