Common

Born:March 13, 1972

Place of Birth:Chicago, Illinois, USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Lonnie Rashid Lynn, professionally known as Common, is a multi-talented American artist who has left an indelible mark on both the music and film industries. Born on March 13, 1972, Common's career spans over two decades, during which he has garnered an impressive array of accolades, including three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

Common's musical journey began in 1992 with his debut album "Can I Borrow a Dollar?", but it was his 1994 release "Resurrection" that truly solidified his reputation as a critically acclaimed rapper. Despite starting with an underground following, Common's collaboration with the Soulquarians propelled him to mainstream success, with his album "Like Water for Chocolate" in 2000 marking a significant commercial breakthrough.

Throughout his career, Common has continued to push boundaries and explore new horizons in music. His versatility as an artist was recognized when he won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "Love of My Life" in 2003, and later for Best Rap Performance for "Southside" in 2007. His impact on the music scene was further highlighted with the release of his compilation album "Thisisme Then: The Best of Common" in 2007.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Common has made a successful foray into acting, showcasing his talent on the big screen in a diverse range of roles. From portraying Civil Rights Movement leader James Bevel in the critically acclaimed film "Selma" to appearing in action-packed movies like "Terminator Salvation" and "John Wick: Chapter 2", Common has proven his versatility as an actor.

One of Common's most notable achievements in the film industry came in 2015 when he won both a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Glory", a powerful track he co-wrote and performed with John Legend for the film "Selma". This marked a significant milestone in his career and solidified his reputation as a multifaceted artist.

Beyond his work in music and film, Common's commitment to social causes and activism is also noteworthy. His involvement in projects like the documentary "Bouncing Cats", which explores the impact of hip-hop culture on children in Uganda, showcases his dedication to using art as a tool for positive change.

Whether he is captivating audiences with his thought-provoking lyrics or delivering compelling performances on the silver screen, Common continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world. His legacy as a trailblazer in both music and acting is a testament to his enduring talent and unwavering commitment to his craft.

Images

Filmography

Acting

John Wick: Chapter 2

Cassian

2017

John Wick is forced out of retirement by a former associate looking to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to aid him, Wick travels to Rome and does battle against some of the world’s most dangerous killers.

Now You See Me

Evans

2013

An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

Ocean's Eight

Common

2018

Debbie Ocean, a criminal mastermind, gathers a crew of female thieves to pull off the heist of the century at New York's annual Met Gala.

Wanted

The Gunsmith

2008

Doormat Wesley Gibson is an office worker whose life is going nowhere. He meets an attractive woman named Fox and discovers that his recently murdered father - whom Wesley never knew - belonged to the Fraternity, a secret society of assassins which takes its orders from Fate itself. Fox and Sloan, the Fraternity's leader, teach Wesley, through intense training, to tap into dormant powers and hone his innate killing skills. Though he enjoys his newfound abilities, he begins to suspect that there is more to the Fraternity than meets the eye.

American Gangster

Turner Lucas

2007

Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.

Suicide Squad

Monster T

2016

From DC Comics comes the Suicide Squad, an antihero team of incarcerated supervillains who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

Terminator Salvation

Barnes

2009

All grown up in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor must lead the resistance of humans against the increasingly dominating militaristic robots. But when Marcus Wright appears, his existence confuses the mission as Connor tries to determine whether Wright has come from the future or the past -- and whether he's friend or foe.

Entourage

Common

2015

Movie star Vincent Chase, together with his boys, Eric, Turtle and Johnny, are back…and back in business with super agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold. Some of their ambitions have changed, but the bond between them remains strong as they navigate the capricious and often cutthroat world of Hollywood.

Movie 43

Bob Mone (segment "The Pitch")

2013

A series of interconnected short films are the backdrop for a maniac screenwriter who pitches insane storylines featuring some of Hollywood's biggest and brightest.

Breathe

Darius

2024

Air-supply is scarce in the near future, forcing a mother and daughter to fight for survival when two strangers arrive desperate for an oxygenated haven.

Hunter Killer

RA John Fisk

2018

Captain Glass of the USS Arkansas discovers that a coup d'état is taking place in Russia, so he and his crew join an elite group working on the ground to prevent a war.

The Hate U Give

Uncle Carlos

2018

Raised in a poverty-stricken slum, a 16-year-old girl named Starr now attends a suburban prep school. After she witnesses a police officer shoot her unarmed best friend, she's torn between her two very different worlds as she tries to speak her truth.

Ava

Michael

2020

A black ops assassin is forced to fight for her own survival after a job goes dangerously wrong.

Girls Trip

Common

2017

Four girlfriends take a trip to New Orleans for an annual festival and, along the way, rediscover their wild sides and strengthen the bonds of sisterhood.

Smallfoot

Stonekeeper (voice)

2018

A bright young yeti finds something he thought didn't exist—a human. News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village.

Selma

James Bevel

2014

"Selma," as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act.

Happy Feet Two

Seymour (voice)

2011

Mumble the penguin has a problem: his son Erik, who is reluctant to dance, encounters the Mighty Sven — a penguin who can fly! Things get worse for Mumble when the world is shaken by powerful forces, causing him to bring together the penguin nations and their allies to set things right.

Street Kings

Coates

2008

Tom Ludlow is a disillusioned L.A. Police Officer, rarely playing by the rules and haunted by the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.

Date Night

Collins

2010

Phil and Claire Foster fear that their mild-mannered relationship may be falling into a stale rut. During their weekly date night, their dinner reservation leads to their being mistaken for a couple of thieves—and now a number of unsavoury characters want Phil and Claire killed.

The Informer

Grens

2019

In New York, former convict Pete Koslow, related to the Polish mafia, must deal with both Klimek the General, his ruthless boss, and the twisted ambitions of two federal agents, as he tries to survive and protect the lives of his loved ones.

Smokin' Aces

Sir Ivy

2006

When a Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch named Buddy Israel decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he's no longer breathing.

Barbershop: The Next Cut

Jabari

2016

To survive harsh economic times, Calvin and Angie have merged the barbershop and beauty salon into one business. The days of male bonding are gone as Eddie and the crew must now contend with sassy female co-workers and spirited clientele. As the battle of the sexes rages on, a different kind of conflict has taken over Chicago. Crime and gangs are on the rise, leaving Calvin worried about the fate of his son. Together, the friends come up with a bold plan to take back their beloved neighborhood.

The Kitchen

Gary Silvers

2019

The mobster husbands of three 1978 Hell's Kitchen housewives are sent to prison by the FBI. Left with little but a sharp ax to grind, the ladies take the Irish mafia's matters into their own hands — proving unexpectedly adept at everything from running the rackets to taking out the competition… literally.

Brown Sugar

Self

2002

Sidney and Dre can attribute their lifelong friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic at a national magazine and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, hip-hop record company executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.

Megan Leavey

Gunny Martin

2017

The true story of Marine Corporal Megan Leavey, who forms a powerful bond with an aggressive combat dog, Rex. While deployed in Iraq, the two complete more than 100 missions and save countless lives, until an IED explosion puts their faithfulness to the test.

New Year's Eve

Soldier

2011

The lives of several couples and singles in New York intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve.

The Tale

Martin

2018

An investigation into one woman’s memory as she‘s forced to re-examine her first sexual relationship and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.

Just Wright

Scott McKnight

2010

Physical therapist Leslie Wright lands the dream job of working with basketball superstar Scott McKnight, helping him recover from a career-threatening injury. All goes well and soon Leslie finds herself falling in love with him. Just as their friendship deepens, however, Scott focuses his attention back on his tenuous relationship with his ex-fiancé Morgan, Leslie's gorgeous godsister, who would love to be the basketball player's trophy wife.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Coach Cal

2012

A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.

Fool's Paradise

The Dagger

2023

A down-on-his-luck publicist discovers a recently released mental health patient who looks just like a misbehaving movie star. The publicist subs him into a film, creating a new star. But fame and fortune are not all they are cracked up to be.

All About Nina

Rafe

2018

Nina Geld's passion and talent have made her a rising star in the comedy scene, but she's an emotional mess offstage. When a new professional opportunity coincides with a romantic one, she is forced to confront her own deeply troubled past.

A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop

Self

2023

A once-in-a-lifetime live concert special celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the two-hour tribute special features exclusive performances from hip-hop legends and GRAMMY-winning artists, including Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, Talib Kweli, The Lady of Rage, LL COOL J, MC Sha-Rock, Monie Love, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke, and Yo-Yo.

Production

Selma

Songs

2014

SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)

Executive Producer

2025

An examination of the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone – the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic Sly Stone – that captures the band's reign while shedding light on the burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.