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Derek Luke

Derek Luke was last seen starring in director Phillip Noyce‘s Catch A Fire alongside Tim Robbins, produced by Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack. A political thriller based upon a true story and set in Apartheid-era South Africa, the film was a favorite among critics. Derek has also recently completed work on Definitely Maybe, co-starring alongside Rachel Weisz, Ryan Reynolds and Ilsa Fisher in this romantic comedy set against the 1992 presidential campaign in New York. Derek previously starred in the Jerry Bruckheimer film Glory Road, as well as the Peter Berg directed film Friday Night Lights opposite Billy Bob Thornton. The film was a success at the box office and hugely successful in its DVD and VHS sales.

Handsome and gifted with a winning grin, Derek Luke was relatively unknown except for appearances on the television series Moesha and The King of Queens before landing the lead role in Antwone Fisher which would launch his career into leading man status.

During the casting process for Antwone Fisher, Derek's determination and perseverance paid off when he caught the attention of the film's first-time director, Denzel Washington, amongst hundreds of other young hopefuls. A New Jersey native and former employee at the Sony Pictures gift shop (where he sold candy for five years), Derek auditioned for the role five times over a four-year period before he finally won the starring role that marked his big break into feature films. The young actor was heaped with critical accolades for his emotional, vulnerable performance.

Derek was next seen starring in Biker Boyz opposite Laurence Fishburne and Kid Rock, playing a rookie African American motorcycle street racer hoping to dethrone the reigning champ. Luke also starred in the critically acclaimed independent film, Pieces of April, written and directed by Peter Hedges, opposite Katie Holmes and Patricia Clarkston; and appeared opposite Val Kilmer in the David Mamet feature Spartan.


Derek Luke Facts

OccupationActor
BirthdayApril 24, 1974 (34)
SignTaurus
BirthplaceJersey City, New Jersey, USA
Height5' 11" (1m80)

Selected Filmography

Definitely, Maybe
Friday Night Lights
Lions For Lambs
Glory Road
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Spartan
Pieces of April
Antwone Fisher
Biker Boyz
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