Rockmond Dunbar

Early life and education

Dunbar was born January 11, 1973, in Oakland, California. He attended Oakland Technical High School and attended Morehouse College for one year before moving on to study at the College of Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico.

Career

Television

Dunbar is known for his leading role as Kenny Chadway on the television series Soul Food, and TV Guide named him as one of "Television's 50 Sexiest Stars of All Time". He landed a regular role as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the television series Prison Break. In 2007, Dunbar starred on the short-lived TNT medical drama Heartland. He made a guest appearance on Noah's Arc as himself to give Noah (screenwriter and the main character of the show) some ideas about his movie Fine Art. He also had a recurring role on the UPN series Girlfriends, and is also known for his role as "Pookie" on the television series The Game. He was also a regular on the short-lived FX series Terriers.

Dunbar's other TV credits include guest appearances in Earth 2, Felicity, The Pretender, Two Guys and a Girl, and North Shore.

In 2011, he joined the cast of FX's show Sons of Anarchy as the new Sheriff of Charming, Eli Roosevelt. In 2013, Dunbar joined the CBS crime drama The Mentalist as FBI agent Dennis Abbott. In 2018, Dunbar joined the cast of 9-1-1 as Michael Grant, leaving in 2021 over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, after his requests for exemptions were denied.

In February 2022, it was reported that he has sued the makers of the show for $1 million, saying he "was denied medical and religious exemptions and faced racial discrimination." In July 25, 2022, Dunbar's case of racial misconduct was dismissed as baseless by a judge in a Los Angeles courtroom, but Disney/Fox does face some claims from Rockmond Dunbar alleging religious and racial discrimination, retaliation and breach of contract, among other claims. Dunbar based his reason for an exemption on the fact that he had an exemption letter from the Congregation of Universal Wisdom. The New York Times reported that all it takes to join the church is a letter to chiropractor Walter P. Schilling, who runs the congregation from his den, and accepts as members those who confirm that they "will aspire to live by" the beliefs of the church, and have paid at least $1 to the church as a sign of commitment. On October 17, 2025, Dunbar lost the case as an eight-member federal jury voted unanimously in favor of Disney-owned 20th Television.

Film

His film projects include Punks (which debuted at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival), Misery Loves Company, Sick Puppies, Whodunit, Dirty Laundry, All About You, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and the Tyler Perry-produced film, The Family That Preys.

Other

Dunbar has contributed to the art world through the mixed media exhibit ARTHERAPY. He posed for the November 2003 issue of Playgirl magazine.

Personal life

From 2003 to 2006, Dunbar was married to Ivy Holmes.

On December 30, 2012, Dunbar became engaged, after dating for a year, to Maya Gilbert, an actress, in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Dunbar is a member of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, whose members are "obligated to avoid medical intervention that introduces disease into the body". His lawsuit against Disney and Fox alleges that their lawyers called his religion "fake" and his beliefs "insincere" in discussions about the Covid-19 vaccination mandate.

According to DNA analysis, Dunbar's ancestry is mainly from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. On his visit to Nigeria, he was given the Yoruba name, Omobowale (a variant form of Omowale) meaning "our son has come home."

Filmography

Film

Television

References

References

1. Hughes, Zondra. (December 1, 2005). "Hollywood's Sexiest New Leading Men". Johnson Publishing Company.
2. Natalie Abrams. (August 24, 2013). "Rockmond Dunbar Joins the Cast of The Mentalist". TV Guide.
3. Josh Wigler, "[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rockmond-dunbar-prison-break-revival-path-exit-999724 'Prison Break': Rockmond Dunbar Discusses C-Note's "Heartbreaking" Choice]". ''Hollywood Reporter'', May 2, 2017.
4. Rose, Mike. (January 11, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for January 11, 2023 includes celebrities Mary J. Blige, Amanda Peet".
5. "Rockmond Dunbar".
6. Carter, Lance. (October 23, 2012). "Q&A: Rockmond Dunbar talks 'Sons of Anarchy', How He Got His Start and the Question That Changed His Life". DailyActor.
7. (November 23, 2014). "Rockmond Dunbar Returns as Dennis Abbott for the Final Season of THE MENTALIST on CBS". Wisdom Digital Media.
8. Andreeva, Nellie. (November 16, 2021). "Rockmond Dunbar Exits '9-1-1' Over Covid Vaccine Mandate After Pursuing Medical & Religious Exemptions".
9. (February 18, 2022). "US TV actor Rockmond Dunbar sues Disney over Covid 'discrimination'". BBC.
10. [https://deadline.com/2024/03/rockmond-dunbar-sues-disney-9-1-1-vaccine-mandate-1234956056/ "‘9-1-1’ Trial Is On: Rockmond Dunbar’s Case Against ABC & 20th TV Over Vaccine Mandate Axing Gets Big Leap Forward – Update,"] ''Deadline''.
11. (July 25, 2022). "Former '911' Castmember's Vaccine Dismissal Lawsuit Against Disney Narrowed by Judge".
12. [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/14/science/worship-optional-joining-a-church-to-avoid-vaccines.html "Worship Optional: Joining a Church To Avoid Vaccines,"] ''The New York Times''.
13. The studio pointed out that he had taken many actions that go against the beliefs of the church, including undergoing medical procedures, but he said in response that he had spoken with God, who "permitted [him] to act differently." U.S. District Judge [[Dolly Gee]] was skeptical of his claims, stating that communing with God is not a “blanket privilege that undermines our system of ordered liberty,” but decided that the lawsuit could head to trial.[https://www.tvinsider.com/1125902/911-rockmond-dunbar-fired-covid-vaccine-lawsuit-trial/ "’9-1-1’ Star’s Discrimination Lawsuit Over COVID Vaccine Firing Going to Trial,"] ''TV Insider''.
14. (October 17, 2025). "‘9-1-1’ Actor Rockmond Dunbar Loses COVID Vaccine Lawsuit Against Disney".
15. "Rockmond Dunbar".
16. ''Playgirl'' (November 2003)
17. (27 January 2013). "Wedding Bells Are Ringing: Rockmond Dunbar and Maya Gilbert Are Getting Married".
18. (3 August 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Election Underway: Fran Drescher To Face Maya Gilbert-Dunbar For President; Joely Fisher And Peter Antico Vie For Secretary-Treasurer". Yahoo Entertainment.
19. (August 24, 2023). "Rockmond Dunbar and Maya Gilbert-Dunbar Campaign". lasentinel.net.
20. (January 27, 2013). "Wedding Bells Are Ringing: Rockmond Dunbar and Maya Gilbert Are Getting Married".
21. (13 December 2013). "Actor Rockmond Dunbar A New Dad". Contactmusic.com.
22. (February 17, 2022). "Rockmond Dunbar Sues Disney For Discrimination Over Vaccine Mandate That Led To '9-1-1' Exit".
23. Lancaster, Alaina. (February 17, 2022). "Actor Rockmond Dunbar Claims Disney In-House Lawyer Said Religion Was 'Fake' While Seeking COVID-19 Vaccine Workplace Exemption". ALM Law.com.
24. Cho, Winston. (February 17, 2022). "Former '911' Castmember Sues Over Vaccine Refusal Dismissal, Claims Racial Discrimination".
25. (September 16, 2011). "Rockmond Dunbar Traces His DNA To Nigeria".
26. (April 28, 2012). "Homecoming for Rockmond Dunbar and mother". The Vanguard.
27. "Omowale".