Derek Luke’s career has hit the fast track ever since his debut starring role in the Denzel Washington-directed “Antwone Fisher.” Take a look at the actor in action.
02
Send Us a Hero
Luke makes his small-screen debut in the season premiere of tonight’s new NBC medical drama “Trauma.”
03
The Mentor and His Muse
Luke soared as a sailor with a troubled past in “Antwone Fister” opposite Denzel Washington. The 2002 film was based on a true story.
04
A Star Is Born
Luke starred opposite Joy Bryant in 2002’s “Antwone Fisher.” The actor was handpicked for the role by director Denzel Washington.
05
Rough Riders
In 2003’s “Biker Boyz,” young motorcycle racing prodigy Kid (Luke) is determined to win the title of King of Cali from Smoke (Laurence Fishburne).
06
Role Play
Luke held his own opposite Hollywood heavyweights Val Kilmer and William H. Macy in 2004’s “Spartan.”
07
Heartwrenching Story
Derek Luke stars as Patrick Chamusso in Phillip Noyce’s “Catch a Fire” in 2006.
08
Hoop Dreams
Derek Luke shares a quiet moment with Tatyana Ali in a scene from 2006’s coming-of-age basketball tale, “Glory Road.”
09
On the Battlefield
Luke helped bring to life Spike Lee’s haunting 2008 World War II epic film “Miracle in St. Anna.”
David Lee
10
Fooling Around
Luke and Ryan Reynolds delivered laughs in the 2008 romantic dramedy,“Definitely, Maybe.”
11
Tender Love
Luke and Keshia Knight Pulliam’s touching performance pulled at our hearts in this year’s “Madea Goes to Jail.”
Alfeo Dixon
12
Free Your Mind
In “Madea Goes to Jail,” Joshua Hardaway (Luke) opens up to his minister-aunt and drug counselor Ellen (Viola Davis) to release years of pain and guilt about his past actions.
Quantrell Colbert
13
Take That
Sean “Diddy” Combs said he didn’t want anyone else but Derek Luke to play him in the 2009 Biggie Smalls biopic “Notorious,” and Luke definitely delivered.
Phil Car
14
Bad Boy
Luke who starred as “Puffy” in the biopic, “Notorious,” admits he was nervous about the rapper/producer’s reaction. “He was sitting right behind me at the premiere and I kept thinking, What is he going to think?” Luke told ESSENCE.com. “But he and his mom were cool.”