Meet Dennis Haysbert

Updated: Aug. 24, 2010 at 4:31 PM HST
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Dennis Haysbert plays Jonas Blane on The Unit. He is best known to television audiences for his portrayal of President David Palmer on the series "24," for which he received his first Golden Globe nomination. He also appeared in the series "Now and Again".


Haysbert recently wrapped production on the feature film "Goodbye Bafana," in which he plays the role of Nelson Mandela. He also appeared in the film "Breach" opposite Ryan Phillppe, Chris Cooper and Laura Linney. His other feature film credits include "Far From Heaven," "Love & Basketball," "Absolute Power," "Love Field," "Major League," "Heat," "Random Hearts," "What's Cooking," "Waiting to Exhale," "The Thirteenth Floor," "Navy Seals," "Suture" and "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas," as the voice of Kale.

Haysbert's acting career began when he won his first television role on the Emmy Award-winning episode of "Lou Grant," in which Jesse Jackson guest starred. He is very active in the fight against AIDS and in 2000, he was the spokesperson for the Harlem Health Expo "Break the Silence" and is the spokesperson for the National Leadership Commission on AIDS, as well as The Western Center on Law and Poverty. Currently, he stars in a series of ads for the insurance company "Allstate."

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