Kadeem Hardison Movies
Best known as slightly geeky would-be ladies' man Dwayne Wayne on the television series A Different World, actor Kadeem Hardison's engaging onscreen persona and easy flair for comedy has earned him steady work as a supporting player in both film and television. Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1965, Hardison became interested in acting when he was in his early teens, and he began studying theater at New York's Eubie Blake Theater, where one of his instructors was Earle Hyman, who later portrayed Grandpa Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Hardison's work with Hyman helped win the young actor a guest spot on a 1984 episode of The Cosby Show, playing opposite Lisa Bonet; the same year, Hardison made his big-screen debut with a small role in the hip-hop musical Beat Street. Hardison made a handful of appearances in movies and television projects over the next two years, but his debut appearance on The Cosby Show earned him a major dividend in 1987, when Denise Huxtable, Lisa Bonet's character on The Cosby Show, was spun-off into her own series, A Different World, and Hardison was cast as fellow student Dwayne Wayne. While Bonet left the show after its first season, Hardison remained in the cast for its entire seven-season run, and directed several during the show's final two seasons. During his down time from A Different World, Hardison continued to work in motion pictures, with supporting roles in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and School Daze and a leading role in the independent horror film Def By Temptation. After A Different World went off the air in 1993, Hardison concentrated on film work, with roles ranging from the horror/comedy Vampire in Brooklyn to the political drama Panther. In 1997, he took another stab at series television on the short-lived sitcom Between Brothers, and began adding more TV guests spots to his resumé, appearing on Touched By an Angel, Just Shoot Me, and the revived Fantasy Island, while still maintaining a busy schedule of film work. ~ Mark Deming ~ All Movie Guide
A handsome and successful bachelor is taken aback when his dream girl asks him to be the "maid" of honor in her upcoming wedding in this romantic comedy starring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Monaghan) have been best friends for years. Though all the hard times, Hannah has been the one constant in Tom's life, and the one person he knows he can always rely on. When Hannah leaves for a six-week business trip in Scotland, Tom is surprised to realize how truly lonely he is without her. Life just isn't the same without Hannah around, so the moment she returns, Tom resolves to ask for her hand in marriage. But apparently Hannah's trip wasn't all business, because upon returning home Hannah announces that she has gotten engaged to a dashing Scotsman and will soon be starting a new life overseas. She's convinced that Tom will be thrilled for her, and wants him to play a crucial role in the wedding. His spirits crushed but his love for Hannah stronger than ever before, Tom reluctantly agrees to be the "maid" of honor so that he can prove his love in no uncertain terms and convince her to call off the wedding before true happiness slips through his fingers. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, (more)
The most popular fashion dolls in America make the leap to the big screen in this live-action adventure that follows four diverse teenage girls who make the jump from middle school to high school, only to find that their four-part friendship doesn't fit into the rigid clique system at their new institution. Fed up with being torn apart, the girls each reject the their respective cliques and reclaim their own group where friendship takes precedence over popularity. Unfortunately, this causes the school's tyrannical student-body president to blow a gasket, and it looks like they'll have to fight hard for their place in the crowd. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nathalia Ramos, Skyler Shaye, (more)
- 2007
After weeks of mental warfare between Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) and vengeful detective Michael Tritter (David Morse), House suddenly does an about-face, apologizing to Tritter and agreeing to enter drug rehab in exchange for having all charges against him dropped. But can House be trusted? This question looms large over the rest of the episode, which otherwise concerns itself with a firefighter named Derek (Tony Kittles) who suffers uncontrollable shivers whenever he comes near a fire--and whose problem may never be resolved unless he agrees to have his romantic yearnings for his brother's fiance surgically removed (literally!) And speaking of resolutions, wait until Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) gives her testimony when House goes before the judge! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Two bumbling janitors stumble across a briefcase full of cash, only to blow the money on cars and clothes before discovering that it belonged to some dangerous gangsters. Given just one week to pay the sum back in full before the mob strikes back with a vengeance, the two hapless custodians scramble to raise some quick cash and avert disaster. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kadeem Hardison, Godfrey, (more)
- 2006
House (Hugh Laurie) lives to regret his rude treatment of his police-detective patient Michael Tritter (David Morse) when he winds up in jail on trumped-up charges. The vengeful Tritter suspects that House's behavior is due to substance abuse, and he won't let up on the doctor until his suspicions are confirmed. Meanwhile, a 600-pound patient named George (Pruitt Taylor Vance) suddenly awakens from a coma and demands to be released, refusing further treatment because he is tired of the staff's "fat" jokes as his expense. Looking into the matter, House discovers that George's current medical problems have nothing to do with his weight...but if not, then what IS the cause? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Actor-filmmaker Michael Stein writes, directs, and stars in this over-the-top satire of the Hollywood film industry. Set in Los Angeles on the eve of St. Valentine's Day, the indie comedy presents four different vignettes featuring a cast of characters ranging from a frustrated film projectionist (Stein), a porn director (Andy Dick), a producer who claims to be the devil (Stephen Tobolowsky), and God herself (Faye Dunaway). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Stein, Andy Dick, (more)
The death of a feared and hated man leads to a conspiracy of silence in this drama. Walter Taylor (Kadeem Hardison) is an investigator from the state attorney general's office who is sent to a small Southern town to investigate an unusual murder. Ronny Roy Pritchett (W. Earl Brown) was a town bully who could intimidate just about anyone into giving him what he wanted until he was found outside a local tavern one night with 40 shots in his body and no witnesses who would say they saw or heard the attack. With the help of cheerful but ineffectual Sheriff Miller (Rus Blackwell), Taylor begins questioning citizens about Pritchett, including his two wives (Jeanetta Arnette and Alicia Lagano), who have decidedly different memories of their late husband, and Mildred (Talia Shire), the wife of a local pastor who was murdered a few weeks before Pritchett. In time, Taylor begins to piece together a picture of Pritchett's reign of terror in the town, as well as his combative relationship with former Sheriff Breen (Barry Corbin). Dunsmore was directed by Peter Spirer, who previously made several respected documentaries on hip-hop culture, including Beef, Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel -- The Life of an Outlaw, and Rhyme & Reason. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- W. Earl Brown, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
- 2003
Hastily assembled as a mid-season replacement for the failed series Haunted, the UPN sitcom Abby starred Sydney Tamiia Poitier as Abby Newman, the attractive young producer of the TV weekly "Northwest Sports Report." Splitting up with her self-absorbed boyfriend Will Jefferies (Kadeem Hardison), Abby is reluctant to give up the posh rent-controlled San Francisco apartment that she and Will had been sharing. Since Will feels the same way, the couple decides to remain platonic roommates (it's Will & Grace with two straight people). Other regulars included Sean O'Bryan as Abby's boss Roger Tomkins, Tangie Ambrose as her sister Joanne Walker, and Randy J. Goodwin as her would-be beau Max Ellis. Abby premiered January 6, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
A cop looking for a lost member of his family discovers a plot that could imperil the world in this action drama. Nick Harper (Rick Schroder) is a police detective whose sister has dreams of becoming a fashion model. After being promised an assignment, the aspiring model travels to Spain, but soon disappears. Suspecting foul play, Harper flies to Spain and discovers she'd fallen in with Timmons (Dean Haglund), a corrupt drug dealer who posed as a photographer both as a front for his business and as a way to convince women to pose nude for him. At first, Harper assumes Timmons and his ilk are the end of an ugly trail, but as it happens, they're just the tip of an iceberg that leads to a cadre of international terrorists. Face of Terror also stars Kadeem Hardison and Paulina Gálvez. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rick Schroder, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
Two generations of radical bikers face off in this rubber-burning action drama. Manuel "Smoke" Galloway (Laurence Fishburne) is the leader of the Black Knights, an underground motorcycle club. Smoke, like most of his fellow Knights, is a successful white collar worker who can afford fancy leathers and top quality bikes, and Smoke has earned a reputation as the "King of Cali," willing take on anyone in a drag race, legal or no. Kid (Derek Luke) is a gifted young rider whose father was once Smoke's mechanic; when Kid's dad died after an accident, Kid set out to become the best biker he could be to carry on his father's name and reputation. Smoke, however, has no room in the Black Knights for Kid, and so he and several fellow outcast riders start their own club, the Biker Boyz, and challenge Smoke to prove once and for all who is the fastest rider on the scene. Biker Boyz also features appearances from Orlando Jones, Lisa Bonet, Djimon Hounsou, Larenz Tate, and Kid Rock. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laurence Fishburne, Derek Luke, (more)
Robert DeNiro continues to lampoon his tough-guy persona with this spoof of buddy cop movies that teams him with comic co-star Eddie Murphy. DeNiro is L.A.P.D. detective Mitch Preston, a gruff, no-nonsense 28-year veteran whose bust of a drug gang is botched one night by Trey Sellars (Murphy), a bumbling patrolman who's really a frustrated actor at heart. When Mitch's aggravation is captured by a television news crew, he fires his gun in their direction and becomes an instant media celebrity, while earning himself a temporary suspension at work. After his fame draws the attention of network TV producer Chase Renzi (Rene Russo), Mitch is soon informed that the only way he can get back to work is to allow a production crew to trail him on the job for a new cop reality series called "Showtime". In order to make the taciturn lawman more palatable to the viewing public, he's paired with the camera-friendly, fast-talking Trey. The new partners drive each other crazy, but their mismatched sensibilities make for great TV, while their newfound fame has its advantages in getting them back on the trail of those escaped drug dealers, who possess a powerful new weapon. Showtime co-stars Frankie Faison and William Shatner, who sends up his own TV cop role in T.J. Hooker. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Eddie Murphy, (more)
- 2002
The weekly syndicated Livin' Large was essentially Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous for the 21st century. Effusively cohosted by Carmen Electra and Kadeem Hardison, the series offered tantalizing glimpses of the lavish homes and exotic getaways indulged in by the hippest and best-looking young sports and showbiz celebrities. Also invoking envy from the viewer were the series profiles on the new millennium's crop of under-35 billionaires. Assembled by Carsey-Werner-Manabach Productions, Livin' Large premiered in the U.S. during the week of September 21, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carmen Electra, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
From the makers of Slap Her...She's French comes this teen sex comedy starring Brandon Davis of the Disney Channel original series Even Stevens. Davis plays Chris Hughes, a geeky adopted high-schooler who suddenly finds himself rich and popular when it is revealed that his recently deceased birth parents were the proprietors of a vast pornography empire. The debut feature from writer/director Andy Fickman, Who's Your Daddy also stars Dave Thomas, Colleen Camp, Kadeem Hardison, and Ali Landry. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brandon Davis, Colleen Camp, (more)
An abused wife strikes back at her murderous husband in this action thriller from director Gustavo Graef-Marino. Shortly after her marriage to police detective Jim Beckett (Tim Abell), naïve ex-cheerleader Tess (Missy Crider) discovers that her new husband has a nasty habit of marrying and later disposing of the brides when he tires of their company. As Jim moves in for the kill, Tess narrowly escapes with the help of detective Lance Difford Kadeem Hardison). Her relief is short lived when Jim makes a break from jail, and the terrified Tess quickly turns to ex-cop-turned-self-defense guru J.T. Dillon (Mark Dacascos) for a crash course in busting skulls. Now hot on his wife's trail, Tess must prepare herself for the inevitable confrontation that lies ahead. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
While many celebrities believe their fame gives them good luck with the opposite gender, one man with a successful television career discovers fame is spoiling his chances with the woman he loves in the made-for-TV romantic drama. Holly Aimes (Lark Voorhies) is the daughter of a prominent politician (Glynn Turman), and recently broke off her engagement with a well-known actor. Holly has spent most of her life in the spotlight, and wants nothing more than to be left alone without the glare of public scrutiny. When Holly meets talk show host Michael Williams (Kadeem Hardison), he's soon convinced that she's the woman with whom he wants to share his life, but can he convince her of his sincerity so she will brave another high-profile romance? Based on the popular romance novel by Carla Fredd, Fire and Ice also features Tempestt Bledsoe and Freda Payne. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
A handful of close friends, due to turn 30, discover that their dreams for the future are running headfirst into the realities of adulthood in this character-driven comedy-drama. Natalie (Melissa De Sousa) is a banker who is happy with her job, but is tired of being single, and her pursuit of a husband is taking her down several blind alleys in the world of dating. Joy (Erika Alexander) has developed a similar desire to settle down and get married, but while she has a long-term boyfriend, Leland (T.E. Russell), he isn't so sure he wants to make a lifetime commitment. Troy (Tracy Morgan) is a comic who has been on the verge of a career breakthrough for years, but he's started to wonder if his big break is ever going to arrive. Maleek (Allen Payne) is a white-collar executive who thinks life is passing him by, and is pondering giving up a stable career to start over as a male model. And Stephanie (Paula Jai Parker) is comfortable with her job in real estate, but she's not so comfortable with herself as she struggles with a weight problem she's had since childhood. 30 Years for Life marked the directorial debut for Vanessa Middleton, who previously distinguished herself as a television writer for such series as Cosby and Hangin' With Mr. Cooper. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erika Alexander, Melissa DeSousa, (more)
Julia (Jenny McCarthy) and Jack (Matt Keeslar) are exes who have grown blind to the fact that they're head over heels in love. Though on the surface it appears as if their relationship has failed, these two co-workers still bicker like a couple that's been together for decades. One day, as Jack looks after a golfer suffering from amnesia, divine intervention ensues. It seems that the elderly golfer is actually God in disguise. The creator is taking an earthly vacation, and once he learns about a certain troubled young couple he makes it his holy mission to help them rekindle the romance. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jenny McCarthy, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
- 1998
Loosely following the format of ABC's 1969-74 comedy anthology series Love, American Style, Aaron Spelling's first Love Boat set sail September 24, 1977 with the series' intertwining stories all taking place aboard the cruise ship Pacific Princess, captained by Gavin MacLeod. Spelling Television updated the concept in this 1998 romantic comedy series with Captain Jim Kennedy III (Robert Urich) retired from the Navy and now at the helm of the luxury liner Sun Princess. There's a full crew of regulars on board, and Kennedy's 15-year-old mischievous son Danny (Kyle Howard) roams the ship while it cruises about in search of love, Caribbean style. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Urich, Joan Severance, (more)
- 1998
Lawyer John Williams (Courtney B. Vance) looks back in flashback to 1957 when he began as a lawyer while living in the Bronx with his older brother, Charles (Charles S. Dutton). Married to Carol (Lonette McKee), Charles is the NYPD's first African-American sergeant, and he plans a police exam for his oldest son, Charlie (Garland Whitt), who would rather study art. After a call that Charlie is under arrest for the murder of a white boy, John suspects he was beaten and forced to confess by the cops, but Charlie claims he did indeed kill an Irish-American youth. John takes on the case, feeling that Charlie is hiding something -- while the courts, police, and the public are all ready to see Charlie electrocuted. Director Ernest Dickerson (Juice) filmed in Toronto. Shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles S. Dutton, Courtney Vance, (more)
- 1997
Now a lawyer, Tess (Della Reese) is hired to represent the cancer-victim plaintiffs in a class-action suit against the Fairchild Tobacco Company. Ironically, the company's main attorney Marc Hamilton (Kadeem Hardison) is the son of two former Fairchild employees--one of whom is suffering from terminal lung cancer. Determined to enjoy a life of wealth and luxury, Hamilton has renounced his humble roots and cast his lot with Fairchild's duplicitious CEO J.D. Sinclair (Tim Dekay). Apparently, the only villains totally beyond redemption on Touched by an Angel are those who manufacture cigarettes--but there's still hope for the bullheaded but inherently decent Marc Hamilton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This sports comedy from Class Act (1992) and Houseguest (1995) director Randall Miller stars Kadeem Hardison and Marlon Wayans as basketball-playing brothers. The Tylers have been dreaming of stardom on the court since childhood. Now that they are the top players for the Washington Huskies, Antoine (Haridson) has become the more flamboyant and attention-getting of the pair. While Kenny (Wayans) is also a talented athlete, he lacks the self-confidence to become a star like his brother. When Antoine suffers a fatal heart attack during play, Kenny is grief-stricken, and the team's chances of making it through the Pac-10 to the NCAA finals become seriously diminished. Luckily, Antoine's ghost returns to give the Huskies a helping hand by blocking shots, tipping the ball through the hoop, tripping opposing team members, and even giving players a supernatural lift on their way to the basket. Only Kenny can see his brother's spirit, but a beautiful school newspaper reporter, R.C. (Michael Michele) suspects the truth. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Wayans, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
- 1996
While fleeing the wrath of San Francisco's Chinese mob, a fighter (Mark Dacasos) ends up taking a dread-lock-wearing writer (Kadeem Hardison) hostage and racing towards the safety of L. A. Along the way, the two must fight their way through a gauntlet of determined and crafty gang members, each one hell bent on destroying the two. Furious and fast paced, this direct-to-video martial arts actioner comes highly recommended by genre aficionadas. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Dacascos, Kadeem Hardison, (more)
Comedian Eddie Murphy tried something different with this 1995 film that he produced and co-wrote, enlisting veteran horror director Wes Craven to give the story some chills. The uneven comedy-horror tale features Murphy as a vampire named Maximillian who arrives in Brooklyn on a ship full of people who have been brutally murdered. One of the corpses on board closely resembles that of Rita (Angela Bassett), one of the detectives assigned to the case. Maximillian targets Rita, hoping to get a dance with her that will bring her under his control. He enlists the help of a worker named Julius (Kadeem Hardison), biting his neck and turning him into a slowly decaying ghoul. Also seeking to romance Rita, though in a less sinister way, is her longtime detective partner Justice (Allen Payne). Maximillian uses his supernatural powers to interfere with the budding romance. Murphy also plays a preacher and an Italian gangster in this bizarre film. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett, (more)
