DEREK LUKE BIOGRAPHY
Derek Luke heads the cast, alongside Academy Award winner Tim Robbins, playing Patrick Chamusso in this political thriller based on Patrick's true story.
Derek was last seen starring in the Peter Berg directed film, 'Friday Night Lights' opposite Billy Bob Thorton for Universal Pictures. The film was a success in the box office and hugely successful in its DVD and VHS sales.
Next up for Derek is a starring role in the Jerry Bruckheimer film, 'Glory Road'. In this film based on a true story Derek will play the star basketball player on an all-black team in the 1960s who goes on to beat an all-white undefeated Kentucky team in the NCAA finals. It was an historic event and time when basketball became integrated.
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.'
During the casting process for 'Antwone Fisher' (2002), Luke'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 of Antwone Fisher five times over a four-year period before he finally won the starring role that marked his big break into feature films, playing the real-life black sailor who must overcome his rage over the traumas of his youth. The young actor was heaped with critical accolades for his emotional, vulnerable performance.
Derek was next seen starring in 'Biker Boyz' (2003) 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 (What's Eating Gilbert Grape), opposite Katie Holmes and Patricia Clarkston. As well as starring opposite Val Kilmer in the David Mamet feature 'Spartan' for Warner Bros. Studios.
