Bio
Blair Underwood is an American actor best known for his Golden Globe-nominated role as Jonathan Rollins on the television legal drama series L.A. Law (1987-1994); and for his roles in several popular films including Just Cause (1995), Set It Off (1996) and Deep Impact (1998).
He also starred as powerful, mysterious billionaire Simon Elder in the television drama series Dirty Sexy Money, from 2007-2008; and as the President of the United States in the science fiction conpiracy thriller The Event, from 2010-2011.
In addition to Dirty Sexy Money, Underwood also received critical acclaim for his role as a navy fighter pilot opposite Gabriel Byrne in HBO's groundbreaking series In Treatment, and he reprised his recurring role of Mr. Harris opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the award-winning comedy, The New Adventures of Old Christine.
He was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards in 2008 for his roles on Dirty Sexy Money and Old Christine.
Additionally, Underwood produced the TLC specials Million Dollar Christmas with his partner, Tommy Morgan, Jr., for their new Intrepid Inc. television production company. Underwood also co-executive-produced the reality competition Stage Black for TV One.
In five episodes of the last season of HBO's hit series Sex and the City, Underwood played Robert Leeds, the NY Knicks team doctor who romanced his neighbour, Miranda. His portrayal earned him two NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor.
Other television credits include LAX, City of Angels, Mama Flora's Family, Murder in Mississippi, Soul of the Game, The Wishing Tree, Heat Wave and L.A. Law.
In July 2007 he returned to the literary world co-authoring the erotic detective novel Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Story with Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes. The Atria fiction book was named the Essence Book of the Month pick and received rave reviews from readers and critics.
The second installment In the Night of the Heat was released on September 16, 2008.
In 2006, Underwood portrayed Jesus in the audio book The Bible Experience, which has become the No. 1 audio Bible in history, according to its publisher.
In the independent film world, Underwood starred in and produced the independent drama How Did It Feel? He also starred in the independent films G and Truth Be Told.
Underwood's film credits include Madea's Family Reunion, Something New, Full Frontal, Rules of Engagement, Deep Impact, Just Cause, Gattaca, Posse and Set it Off.
As director, executive producer, writer and star of the dramatic short The Second Coming, he played Jesus Christ returning to earth. In addition, he produced and starred in the independent thriller Asunder and in the short film Sister, I'm Sorry.
He also has five music videos to his directing credit.
He also stars as Robert Ironside - a brilliant, tough-as-nails detective who lives and plays by his own rules and remains undeterred from his goal of getting justice at all costs - in the police procedural television series Ironside.