Courtney B Vance Bio

Courtney B Vance Biography 

 

American actor Courtney B Vance worked in film and television for nearly two decades before landing his most notable role in the popular television program Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Outside of acting, however, Vance is also noted for his long-term marriage to a high profile celebrity.

Courtney B Vance was born March 12, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan. Always an ambitious and intelligent student, Vance first attended the prestigious Detroit Country Day School. Not long after, he attended Harvard University. As if those credentials weren’t enough, Vance went on to earn his Masters at the Yale School of Drama.

 

Finding time amid his studies, Vance’s first acting gig came with the Boston Shakespeare Company. Finding acclaim on the stage, Vance is noted for his roles in productions such as Fences from playwright August Wilson and Six Degrees of Separation. Both performances earned Vance Tony nominations.

 

Moving to more commercial endeavors, Vance made his onscreen debut in 1983 with a small role in First Affair. Kim Delaney also appeared.

 

1987 brought a notable role in Hamburger Hill opposite Michael Boatman, Don Cheadle, Dylan McDermott, and Steven Weber.

 

He followed with The Hunt for Red October, which featured an all-star cast. Celebrity leads included Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones, Tim Curry, and others.

 

He earned a more sizable role in 1995 with Panther. Kadeem Hardison also starred.

 

1995 also brought a role in the popular biopic Dangerous Minds with Michelle Pfeiffer handling the lead.

 

He also took to the screen with big name stars in 1996’s The Preacher’s Wife. Directed by Penny Marshall, the film starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Gregory Hines.

 

Taking roles with critical acclaim as well, Vance made an appearance in Cookie’s Fortune from much-lauded director Robert Altman. The film featured Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Chris O Donnell, and Lyle Lovett.

 

He also worked with Clint Eastwood in 2000’s Space Cowboys. Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner, and James Cromwell starred.

 

But it was 2001 that offered Vance his biggest role to date. He played A.D.A. Ron Carver on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He shared the screen with Steven Zirnkilton, Vincent DOnofrio, James Sheridan, and Leslie Hendrix. He was with the program until 2006.

 

Making headlines for his personal life as well, Vance married fellow actor Angela Bassett on October 12, 1997. They have two children (twins from a surrogate mother). The couple is still together.




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