Dwight Henry (actor)
| Dwight Henry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962 (age 53–54)[1] |
| Occupation | Actor, baker |
Dwight Henry is an American actor, baker, and businessman. He is best known for his prominent role as Wink, Hushpuppy's father, in the Academy Award-nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012). Additionally, Henry is the founder of the successful Buttermilk Drop Bakery in New Orleans, which is set to expand to other locations nationwide.
Life and career
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Henry moved to New Orleans, Louisiana when he was a young child. Having lived there through adulthood, he founded Henry's Bakery and Deli near his home in the historic Tremé neighborhood. The bakery was successful enough that Henry planned to open a second location of his store, until Hurricane Katrina changed his plans.
Though he had no professional training or experience as an actor, the filmmakers of Beasts of the Southern Wild cast him in the film, while allowing him to operate his bakery regularly during shooting.[2] Henry earned positive reviews for the film, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, but insists that his primary career is managing his bakery, now called the Buttermilk Drop Bakery. He agreed to open a second location of his store in Harlem in the near future.[3]
He continued his acting career and appeared in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave (2013). He will portray Marvin Gay, Sr., the father of the late soul music icon Marvin Gaye in the biopic Sexual Healing.[4]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Beasts of the Southern Wild | Wink | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated – Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Performer Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Breakthrough Performance |
| 2013 | 12 Years a Slave | Uncle Abram | |
| 2016 | The Birth of a Nation | Isaac Turner | |
| TBA | Sexual Healing | Marvin Gay, Sr. |
References
- ↑ Daley, Ken (2014-11-20). "Actor-baker Dwight Henry surrenders to authorities on theft warrant, NOPD confirms". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
- ↑ Persall, Steve (August 1, 2012). "New Orleans baker Dwight Henry sizzles in 'Beasts of Southern Wild' role". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
- ↑ "Dwight Henry, 'Beasts of Southern Wild' actor, Opening Bakery in New York City". Huffington Post. January 8, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ↑ Siegel, Tatiana; McClintock, Pamela (26 April 2013). "Cannes: Focus Picks Up Marvin Gaye Biopic". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 October 2014.