Darnell Dupree
- Actor
American Actor/Director Darnell J. Dupree, born Darnell Joseph Dupree was raised in the rough Park Heights community located on the northwest side of Baltimore Maryland. Darnell has always taken great interest in entertainment. As the baby of four boys he would often times find himself competing for the attention of his three older siblings. At the tender age of five he would trail his brothers and their peers to the nearby playground in hopes that one day he would be allowed to join the big boys in competition against other neighborhoods in the area. By the age of nine he was already participating under the whistle in both football and basketball at the local Towanda Recreation Center. Through sports Darnell would quickly learned the application of hard work and dedication as well as the value of team work. Little did he know that by honing these very qualities, he would be preparing himself to seize an opportunity far more rewarding than he could ever imagine.
As a teen Darnell became heavily influenced by music and film. He repeatedly listened to music from artist such as the late great 2pac, Rakim, Nas, Lauren Hill, The Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep to name a few. In fact when he wasn't at home lifting, training or at one of the local courts working on his weaknesses, he was in his room writing lyrics, creating poetry or watching one of his favorite films. Darnell thoroughly enjoyed binge watching movies like Jason's Lyric, Above the Rim, Love Jones, Poetic Justice, Coming to America, The Titanic and Boomerang. He would become so caught up and drawn into certain roles that he would frequently lose himself and suddenly become one of the characters on screen, reciting their lines on que not missing a beat. Moments like these would ignite a euphoric spark of inspiration that could only be compared to that of his love for basketball. The thought of becoming an actor was no doubt an exciting feeling. However with no outlet or any formal experience in the industry the idea or likelihood of pursuing a career in film appeared grim at best. Until one day while taking a scenic route to class Darnell spotted a movie trailer. He immediately began to make a pact to himself, that if that trailer was still there on his way back from class he would approach the set in hopes of an opportunity. As fate would have it when class was over that trailer was indeed in the very same location. Calling himself out, he pulled over to honor the pact he made with himself earlier. After hanging around the set for a number of hours in astonishment, he was suddenly approached by a gentleman wearing a black t-shirt bearing "The Wire" on the back. He asked Darnell's permission to take his picture and instructed him to fill out a blue card. He assured him someone would be contacting him soon. Two weeks later HBO, reached out to Darnell requesting that he show up at a remote location ready for his first background performance as one of Avon Barksdale's lieutenants.
He would participate as a background performer for approximately six episodes before being called in to read for a reoccurring speaking role which he would earned and carry on to the next season. He later played the lead in a music video by Skillz called "Imagine" which was directed by Damon Gordon. Darnell was also casted alongside notable names like Maria Broom, Don Cheedle, James Woods, Taraji P. Henson, Ving Rhames, Idris Elba, Wood Harris, Larry Guillard, Spencer Lafranco, Nicole Kittman, John Trevolta, Vivica A. Fox, Terrance Howard, and Kim Whitley as well as a host of other names. Darnell is also known for a variety of television shows, commercials and films like the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire, John Adams, Talk to Me, Jamesy Boy, Body of Lies, Beauty Shop, Charm City and America's Most Wanted. He also starred in both of TVOne's true crime series "For My Woman" where he portrayed Timothy Collier as well as "For My Man" as Kaivon Mitchell.
In regards to future projects Darnell J. Dupree has launched a new film company called "Preevision Films" and is focused on evolving not only as an actor in front of the camera but behind the camera as well. He made his directorial debut with his latest project entitled "The Devil Exclusive" written by Jeff Dunn and produced by Black Carpet Productions. The project will be released on "Preevision Films" and is in post-production. The Devil Exclusive will also be entered in the national and international film festivals.
Two years ago Darnell formed a non-profit organization by the name of "The Grassy Roots Project". The organization was designed to restore community involvement and create a safe and productive environment conducive for children and adults to thrive. In 2016 "The Grassy Roots Project" hosted an adult house league which produced a total of 8 teams the Park Heights Community as well as other communities out of state. "The Grassy Roots Project" is a safe haven for the individuals of the communities it serves. In the future Darnell plans to continue inspiring and motivating members in his community not only as a successful Actor/Director but also vicariously through the presence of "The Grassy Roots Project".
As a teen Darnell became heavily influenced by music and film. He repeatedly listened to music from artist such as the late great 2pac, Rakim, Nas, Lauren Hill, The Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep to name a few. In fact when he wasn't at home lifting, training or at one of the local courts working on his weaknesses, he was in his room writing lyrics, creating poetry or watching one of his favorite films. Darnell thoroughly enjoyed binge watching movies like Jason's Lyric, Above the Rim, Love Jones, Poetic Justice, Coming to America, The Titanic and Boomerang. He would become so caught up and drawn into certain roles that he would frequently lose himself and suddenly become one of the characters on screen, reciting their lines on que not missing a beat. Moments like these would ignite a euphoric spark of inspiration that could only be compared to that of his love for basketball. The thought of becoming an actor was no doubt an exciting feeling. However with no outlet or any formal experience in the industry the idea or likelihood of pursuing a career in film appeared grim at best. Until one day while taking a scenic route to class Darnell spotted a movie trailer. He immediately began to make a pact to himself, that if that trailer was still there on his way back from class he would approach the set in hopes of an opportunity. As fate would have it when class was over that trailer was indeed in the very same location. Calling himself out, he pulled over to honor the pact he made with himself earlier. After hanging around the set for a number of hours in astonishment, he was suddenly approached by a gentleman wearing a black t-shirt bearing "The Wire" on the back. He asked Darnell's permission to take his picture and instructed him to fill out a blue card. He assured him someone would be contacting him soon. Two weeks later HBO, reached out to Darnell requesting that he show up at a remote location ready for his first background performance as one of Avon Barksdale's lieutenants.
He would participate as a background performer for approximately six episodes before being called in to read for a reoccurring speaking role which he would earned and carry on to the next season. He later played the lead in a music video by Skillz called "Imagine" which was directed by Damon Gordon. Darnell was also casted alongside notable names like Maria Broom, Don Cheedle, James Woods, Taraji P. Henson, Ving Rhames, Idris Elba, Wood Harris, Larry Guillard, Spencer Lafranco, Nicole Kittman, John Trevolta, Vivica A. Fox, Terrance Howard, and Kim Whitley as well as a host of other names. Darnell is also known for a variety of television shows, commercials and films like the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire, John Adams, Talk to Me, Jamesy Boy, Body of Lies, Beauty Shop, Charm City and America's Most Wanted. He also starred in both of TVOne's true crime series "For My Woman" where he portrayed Timothy Collier as well as "For My Man" as Kaivon Mitchell.
In regards to future projects Darnell J. Dupree has launched a new film company called "Preevision Films" and is focused on evolving not only as an actor in front of the camera but behind the camera as well. He made his directorial debut with his latest project entitled "The Devil Exclusive" written by Jeff Dunn and produced by Black Carpet Productions. The project will be released on "Preevision Films" and is in post-production. The Devil Exclusive will also be entered in the national and international film festivals.
Two years ago Darnell formed a non-profit organization by the name of "The Grassy Roots Project". The organization was designed to restore community involvement and create a safe and productive environment conducive for children and adults to thrive. In 2016 "The Grassy Roots Project" hosted an adult house league which produced a total of 8 teams the Park Heights Community as well as other communities out of state. "The Grassy Roots Project" is a safe haven for the individuals of the communities it serves. In the future Darnell plans to continue inspiring and motivating members in his community not only as a successful Actor/Director but also vicariously through the presence of "The Grassy Roots Project".
