ROGER GUENVEUR SMITH is an internationally acclaimed award winning actor, writer, and director.
Smith recurs as BOOKER T. WASHINGTON on the NETFLIX mini series SELF MADE: INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF MADAM C.J WALKER opposite Octavia Spencer, Tiffany Haddish, and Carmen Ejogo. He recently starred in Carl Weber’s BET telefilm INFLUENCE opposite Deborah Cox and Kellita Smith.
Smith is currently starring in a solo performance entitled OTTO FRANK, inspired by the father of diarist Anne Frank, is the latest in a remarkable body of work for stage and screen.
Smith is also part of the cast of Bounce TV’s top rated series SAINTS AND SINNERS opposite Vanessa Bell Calloway and recently starred inThe NAACP Image Award nominated BEHIND THE MOVEMENT opposite Meta Golding. Smith also starred in a breakout role in the Sundance indie pilot
IT’S NOT ABOUT JIMMY KEENE.
Smith’s critically acclaimed solo performance RODNEY KING, directed by Spike Lee, currently streams on Netflix. Smith and Lee have worked together on a record eight films including the DO THE RIGHT THING, MALCOLM X, HE GOT GAME and the Peabody Award winning A HUEY P NEWTON STORY. The two were honored during the 2017 Cannes film festival for their three decade collaboration. Roger recently appeared in QUEEN SUGAR opposite Michael Michelle, in an episode directed by Leisl Tommy.
Smith was a lead in Nate Parker’s THE BIRTH OF A NATION, a cameo in Spike Lee’s CHIRAQ, and a supporting lead in Rick Famuyiwa’s comedy DOPE. Recent films also include THE CLAPPER for Dito Montiel & MARSHALL for Reginald Hudlin and starring roles in the upcoming indies BURNING SHADOW from writer/director Alexandre Nahon, and Orson Oblowitz’s THE QUEEN OF HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD.
Other film credits include FIGHTING for director Dito Montiel in the lead role of “Jack Dancing” where Smith stars opposite Channing Tatum and Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard. Roger appeared in director Bill Duke’s COVER in a cast including Vivica Fox, Leon, Paula Jai Parker, Billy Dee William, Lou Gossett, Jr. and Aunjaunue Ellis. COVER reunited Smith and Bill Duke who also worked together on the legendary cult favorite DEEP COVER where Smith starred opposite Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum.
Roger worked opposite Denzel Washington in the Universal release of Ridley Scott’s hit film AMERICAN GANGSTER, which marks the third time Smith has appeared onscreen with Washington. Smith was a lead in director Qasim Basir’s debut feature MOOZ-LUM opposite Nia Long, Evan Ross and Danny Glover. Roger starred in the independent features FATWA opposite Lauren Holly. Smith’s features also include John Singleton’s thriller ABDUCTION for Lionsgate with Taylor Lautner of “Twilight” , Millenium
Films SON OF NO ONE and EMPIRE STATE, both for director DITO MONTIEL and the independent features BETTER MUS’COME from Jamaican director Storm Saulter and Joe Doughrity’s comedy CORNERSTORE.
His body of film work also includes such classics as Abel Ferrara’s KING OF NEW YORK and New Line Cinema’s FINAL DESTINATION for James Wong of “X Files”. Other film work includes RKO Pictures SHADE opposite Jamie Foxx, Gabriel Byrne, Sylvester Stallone and Thandie Newton, and the New Line Cinema hit ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS.
For television, Roger was a lead in Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney’s innovative HBO series K STREET opposite John Slattery of “Mad Men” and Mary McCormick of “In Plain Sight”.
Roger’s recent TV work includes a recurring role on Ava Duvernay’s QUEEN SUGAR in episodes directed by Leisl Tommy and a guest star on BLACK JESUS.