Biography
With his multi-Grammy Award winning music career, continued work in film and television, and multiple written works, Common has emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought after leading men.
His numerous previous accomplishments in film and music include starring on the silver screen in films such as SMOKIN ACES, AMERICAN GANGSTER, WANTED, TERMINATOR SALVATION, DATE NIGHT, JUST WRIGHT, and most recently THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN. COMMON also stars in the AMC series, HELL ON WHEELS which premiered to the second highest ratings the network has ever had and was quickly renewed for a second season which premiered on August 12th, 2012.
COMMON plays the role of “Elam,” a freed slave who comes west in post-Civil War America seeking work on the Transcontinental Railroad. Common will next be seen alongside Danny Glover and newcomer Michael Rainey Jr. in LUV as “Uncle Vincent,” a troubled ex-con who finds companionship with his shy 13-year-old nephew. The film will be released by The Indomina Group on November 9th, 2012. He recently wrapped filming NOW YOU SEE ME with costars Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, and Woody Harrelson which is set to be released by Summit Entertainment in 2013.
Prior to acting, COMMON rose to prominence as one of hip hop’s most poetic and respected lyricists having recorded over eight albums and garnering multiple Grammy Awards. In 2004, he partnered with Chicago native and rap music mega-star Kanye West to produce the album BE, which went on to garner four Grammy Award nominations. In 2007 COMMON released his critically acclaimed seventh album Finding Forever where it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and it went on to earn a Grammy award. His eighth album, Universal Mind Control, was released in 2008 and was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Rap Album. COMMON’S highly anticipated ninth album, The Believer, The Dreamer, was released to critical acclaim by Warner Bros. Records on December 20th, 2011. On September 18th, 2012 Common will join forces with the rest of the G.O.O.D. Music crew to release the highly anticipated Cruel Summer album. Additional artists on the album include Kanye West, John Legend, Pusha T, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Kid Cudi.
COMMON also offers an even younger generation a better understanding of selfrespect and love, by utilizing the cultural relevance of hip hop in the children’s books he has written. His first book, entitled The MIRROR and ME, teaches lessons of life, the human spirit, and human nature. His follow-up book I Like You But I Love Me was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and in 2008 he released his third book, M.E. (Mixed Emotions). COMMON recently added to this list of accomplished written works with his revealing memoir, One Day It’ll All Make Sense, which made the prestigious New York Times Best Seller list upon release. Every aspect of his life’s journey was unveiled in this deeply personal account of who COMMON is and the people, faith and events that have shaped and molded him into the award-winning, critically acclaimed conscious artist of today.
In addition to his music, film, and literary pursuits, COMMON has been the face, voice and inspiration behind some of the largest consumer brands in the country. COMMON was the voice of Gatorade’s G Series Sports Drink commercial that was launched during Super Bowl 2010. In 2009, he was announced as the face of the new Diesel men’s fragrance Only the Brave and he partnered with Microsoft as the inspiration and one of the designers to launch their Softwear clothing t-shirt line.
COMMON is a regularly requested guest speaker known to motivate and empower collegiate minds while speaking at prestigious universities across the country. In 2000, he launched his own philanthropic effort, The Common Ground Foundation, whose mission is dedicated to the empowerment and development of disadvantaged youth in urban communities by mentoring in three areas: character development, creative expression and healthy living. Whether inspiring audiences through music, movies, television, books or his foundation, COMMON continues to break new ground, and remains to be one of hip-hop’s most innovative, positive voices.
ThinkCOMMON Entertainment, Inc.
Actor
Movies | |
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2024 |
Breathe |
2023 |
Fool's Paradise |
2022 |
Alice |
2020 |
Ava |
2019 |
The Informer |
The Kitchen |
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2018 |
All About Nina |
Here and Now |
|
Hunter Killer |
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Ocean's 8 |
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Saint Judy |
|
Smallfoot |
|
The Hate U Give |
|
The Tale |
|
2017 |
A Happening of Monumental Proportions |
John Wick: Chapter 2 |
|
Love Beats Rhymes |
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Megan Leavey |
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2016 |
Barbershop: The Next Cut |
Suicide Squad |
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2015 |
Being Charlie |
Entourage |
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Run All Night |
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The Wiz Live! (TV movie) |
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2014 |
Every Secret Thing |
Selma |
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X/Y |
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2013 |
Movie 43 |
Now You See Me |
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Pawn |
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2012 |
LUV |
The Odd Life of Timothy Green |
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2011 |
Happy Feet Two |
New Year's Eve |
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2010 |
Date Night |
Just Wright |
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2009 |
Terminator Salvation |
2008 |
Street Kings |
Wanted |
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2007 |
American Gangster |
2006 |
Smokin' Aces |
Video compilation | |
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2005 |
The College Dropout Video Anthology |
Short | |
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2016 |
Letter to the Free |
Performer
Composer
Music videos | |
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2002 |
Erykah Badu Feat. Common: Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop) |
Producer
Documentaries | |
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2018 |
They Fight |