Rockmond Dunbar
Rockmond Dunbar (born January 11, 1973) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Baines on the NBC series Earth 2, Kenny Chadway on Showtime family drama Soul Food, and Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the Fox crime drama Prison Break. He also played Sheriff Eli Roosevelt on the FX Drama series Sons of Anarchy, FBI Agent Dennis Abbott on The Mentalist, FBI Agent Abe Gaines in the Hulu series The Path, and Michael Grant on 9-1-1.
Rockmond Dunbar
Firmbiz918 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Rockmond Dunbar
- Born
- 11 January 1973
- Birthplace
- Oakland, California, U.S.
- Occupation
- Actor
- Nationality
- United States.
- Education
- University of New Mexico, Morehouse College, Oakland Technical High School and Vallejo High School.
- Languages
- English.
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Rockmond Dunbar (born January 11, 1973) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Baines on the NBC series Earth 2, Kenny Chadway on Showtime family drama Soul Food, and Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the Fox crime drama Prison Break. He also played Sheriff Eli Roosevelt on the FX Drama series Sons of Anarchy, FBI Agent Dennis Abbott on The Mentalist, FBI Agent Abe Gaines in the Hulu series The Path, and Michael Grant on 9-1-1.
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Note VALÉORINE
Rockmond Dunbar (born 1973) is an actor, film actor and film director, among other activities, of American nationality. The actor was born in Berkeley. Rockmond Dunbar was educated at Morehouse College, Oakland Technical High School and University of New Mexico, among others. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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wikidata · Q314508 · wikipedia · Rockmond Dunbar
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Rockmond Dunbar • Born — 11 January 1973 • Birthplace — Oakland, California, U.S. • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1993–present • Children — 4
Early life and education
Early life and education
Dunbar was born January 11, 1973, in Oakland, California. He attended Oakland Technical High School and attended Morehouse College for one year before moving on to study at the College of Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico.
Television
Television
Dunbar is known for his leading role as Kenny Chadway on the television series Soul Food, and TV Guide named him as one of "Television's 50 Sexiest Stars of All Time". He landed a regular role as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the television series Prison Break. In 2007, Dunbar starred on the short-lived TNT medical drama Heartland. He made a guest appearance on Noah's Arc as himself to give Noah (screenwriter and the main character of the show) some ideas about his movie Fine Art. He also had a recurring role on the UPN series Girlfriends, and is also known for his role as "Pookie" on the television series The Game. He was also a regular on the short-lived FX series Terriers. Dunbar's other TV credits include guest appearances in Earth 2, Felicity, The Pretender, Two Guys and a Girl, and North Shore. In 2011, he joined the cast of FX's show Sons of Anarchy as the new Sheriff of Charming, Eli Roosevelt. In 2013, Dunbar joined the CBS crime drama The Mentalist as FBI agent Dennis Abbott. In 2018, Dunbar joined the cast of 9-1-1 as Michael Grant, leaving in 2021 over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, after his requests for exemptions were denied. In February 2022, it was reported that he has sued the makers of the show for $1 million, saying he "was denied medical and religious exemptions and faced racial discrimination." In July 25, 2022, Dunbar's case of racial misconduct was dismissed as baseless by a judge in a Los Angeles courtroom, but Disney/Fox does face some claims from Rockmond Dunbar alleging religious and racial discrimination, retaliation and breach of contract, among other claims. Dunbar based his reason for an exemption on the fact that he had an exemption letter from the Congregation of Universal Wisdom. The New York Times reported that all it takes to join the church is a letter to chiropractor Walter P. Schilling, who runs the congregation from his den, and accepts as members those who confirm that they "will aspire to live by" the beliefs of the church, and have paid at least $1 to the church as a sign of commitment. The studio pointed out that he had taken many actions that go against the beliefs of the church, including undergoing medical procedures, but he said in response that he had spoken with God, who "permitted [him] to act differently." U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee was skeptical of his claims, stating that communing with God is not a "blanket privilege that undermines our system of ordered liberty," but decided that the lawsuit could head to trial. On October 17, 2025, Dunbar lost the case as an eight-member federal jury voted unanimously in favor of Disney-owned 20th Television.
Other
Other
Dunbar has contributed to the art world through the mixed media exhibit ARTHERAPY. He posed for the November 2003 issue of Playgirl magazine.
Personal life
Personal life
From 2003 to 2006, Dunbar was married to Ivy Holmes. On December 30, 2012, Dunbar became engaged, after dating for a year, to Maya Gilbert, an actress, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Dunbar is a member of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, whose members are "obligated to avoid medical intervention that introduces disease into the body". His lawsuit against Disney and Fox alleges that their lawyers called his religion "fake" and his beliefs "insincere" in discussions about the Covid-19 vaccination mandate. According to DNA analysis, Dunbar's ancestry is mainly from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. On his visit to Nigeria, he was given the Yoruba name, Omobowale (a variant form of Omowale) meaning "our son has come home."
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1994–95 — Earth 2 — Baines — Recurring cast • 1996 — The Lazarus Man — Patter — Episode: "The Penance" • 1997 — Good News — Bonz — Episode: "Writing on the Wall" & "A Joyful Noise" • 1998 — The Wayans Bros. — Barry — Episode: "The Son of Marlon" • Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place — Tommy — Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl and a Homecoming" • 1999 — Pacific Blue — Tiger Bates — Episode: "Infierno" • The Practice — Byron Little — Episode: "Infected" • The Pretender — Joe Taylor — Episode: "Qallupilluit" • Felicity — Man on Train — Episode: "The Depths" • 2000 — G vs E — Sonny Rhymes — Episode: "Renunciation" • 2000–04 — Soul Food — Kenny Chadway — Main cast • 2003–04 — Girlfriends — Jalen — Guest: season 3, recurring cast: season 4 • 2004 — North Shore — Agent Fernley — Episode: "Secret Service" • 2005 — Head Cases — Dr. Robinson — Recurring cast • 2005–17 — Prison Break — Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin — Main cast: Season 1–2 & 5, recurring cast: Season 4 • 2007 — Heartland — Dr. Thomas Jonas — Main cast • Shark — Teddy Banks — Episode: "No Holds Barred" • Grey's Anatomy — Sean Brotherton — Episode: "Physical Attraction... Chemical Reaction" • CSI: Miami — James Reilly — Episode: "Guerillas in the Mist" • 2009–15 — The Game — Pookie — Guest: season 3, recurring cast: season 5–9 • 2010 — Private Practice — Jacob Deever — Episode: "All in the Family" • The Defenders — Bounce — Episode: "Nevada v. Killa Diz" • Terriers — Det. Mark Gustafson — Main cast • 2011 — The Chicago Code — Robert Turner — Episode: "O'Leary's Cow" • The Closer — Antwone Decker — Episode: "Unknown Trouble" • 2011–13 — Sons of Anarchy — Sheriff Eli Roosevelt — Recurring cast: season 4–6 • 2012–13 — For Richer or Poorer — Aubrey — Main cast • 2013–15 — The Mentalist — FBI Agent Dennis Abbott — Main cast: Season 6-7 • 2016–17 — The Path — Detective Abe Gaines — Main cast: season 1–2 • 2017 — Scorpion — Scotty — Recurring cast: season 3 • 2018–21 — 9-1-1 — Michael Grant — Main cast: season 1–5 • 2021 — Aftershock — Lawrence Ansley — Recurring cast • 2021–22 — The Game — Pookie — 2 episodes • 2024 — Law & Order — Principal Sykes — Episode: "Report Card" • Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist — Uncle Willie — Miniseries

Rockmond Dunbar crop
Wikimedia Commons
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1973
Rockmond Dunbar born at Berkeley.
Film
Film
His film projects include Punks (which debuted at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival), Misery Loves Company, Sick Puppies, Whodunit, Dirty Laundry, All About You, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and the Tyler Perry-produced film, The Family That Preys.
Film
Film
• Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1993 — Misery Loves Company — Eric Haynes • 2000 — Punks — Darby • 2001 — All About You — Tim • 2004 — Hollywood Division — Det. Reginald Feiffer — TV movie • 2005 — Kiss Kiss Bang Bang — Mr. Fire • 2006 — Dirty Laundry — Patrick/Sheldon • 2008 — The Family That Preys — Chris • Alien Raiders — Kane • Jada — Simon • 2009 — Pastor Brown — Amir Rahiem • 2011 — The Truth — – — Short • 2012 — A Taste of Romance — Danny Marsh — TV movie • Echo at 11 Oak Drive — Abner • Raising Izzie — Greg Freeman — TV movie • 2013 — Doubt — Steve Adams — TV movie • 2014 — More to Love — Terrence • Envy or Greed — Anderson Connell — Short • 2015 — Love Is a Four-Letter Word — Nick — TV movie • Curve Ball — James • 2016 — Fate — Enzo Friend — Short • 2017 — The Cheaters Club — Eric • 2018 — Edge of Fear — Mike Dwyer • City of Lies — Dreadlocks • 2022 — Red Winter — Harold • 2025 — Straw — Chief Wilson • One Spoon of Chocolate — Mr. Lindsey
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Hughes, Zondra. Hollywood's Sexiest New Leading Men. Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 61. 2. 96. December 1, 2005. 0012-9011.
- 2.Natalie Abrams. Rockmond Dunbar Joins the Cast of The Mentalist. TV Guide. August 24, 2013.
- 3.Josh Wigler, "'Prison Break': Rockmond Dunbar Discusses C-Note's "Heartbreaking" Choice". Hollywood Reporter, May 2, 2017.
- 4.Rose, Mike. Today's famous birthdays list for January 11, 2023 includes celebrities Mary J. Blige, Amanda Peet. Cleveland.com. January 11, 2023.
- 5.Rockmond Dunbar. TVGuide.com.
- 6.Carter, Lance. Q&A: Rockmond Dunbar talks 'Sons of Anarchy', How He Got His Start and the Question That Changed His Life. DailyActor. October 23, 2012.
- 7.Wisdom Digital Media. Rockmond Dunbar Returns as Dennis Abbott for the Final Season of THE MENTALIST on CBS. Broadwayworld. November 23, 2014.
- 8.Andreeva, Nellie. Rockmond Dunbar Exits '9-1-1' Over Covid Vaccine Mandate After Pursuing Medical & Religious Exemptions. Deadline. November 16, 2021.
- 9.BBC. US TV actor Rockmond Dunbar sues Disney over Covid 'discrimination'. February 18, 2022.
- 10."'9-1-1' Trial Is On: Rockmond Dunbar's Case Against ABC & 20th TV Over Vaccine Mandate Axing Gets Big Leap Forward – Update," Deadline.
- 11.Former '911' Castmember's Vaccine Dismissal Lawsuit Against Disney Narrowed by Judge. The Hollywood Reporter. July 25, 2022.
- 12."Worship Optional: Joining a Church To Avoid Vaccines," The New York Times.
- 13."'9-1-1' Star's Discrimination Lawsuit Over COVID Vaccine Firing Going to Trial," TV Insider.
- 14.'9-1-1' Actor Rockmond Dunbar Loses COVID Vaccine Lawsuit Against Disney. Variety. October 17, 2025.
- 15.Rockmond Dunbar. Hallmark Channel.
- 16.Playgirl (November 2003)
- 17.Wedding Bells Are Ringing: Rockmond Dunbar and Maya Gilbert Are Getting Married. MadameNoire. 27 January 2013.
- 18.SAG-AFTRA Election Underway: Fran Drescher To Face Maya Gilbert-Dunbar For President; Joely Fisher And Peter Antico Vie For Secretary-Treasurer. Yahoo Entertainment. 3 August 2023.
- 19.Rockmond Dunbar and Maya Gilbert-Dunbar Campaign. lasentinel.net. August 24, 2023.
- 20.Wedding Bells Are Ringing: Rockmond Dunbar and Maya Gilbert Are Getting Married. Madame Noire. January 27, 2013.
- 21.Actor Rockmond Dunbar A New Dad. Contactmusic.com. 13 December 2013.
- 22.Hipes, Patrick. Rockmond Dunbar Sues Disney For Discrimination Over Vaccine Mandate That Led To '9-1-1' Exit. Deadline. February 17, 2022.
- 23.Lancaster, Alaina. Actor Rockmond Dunbar Claims Disney In-House Lawyer Said Religion Was 'Fake' While Seeking COVID-19 Vaccine Workplace Exemption. ALM Law.com. February 17, 2022.
- 24.Cho, Winston. Former '911' Castmember Sues Over Vaccine Refusal Dismissal, Claims Racial Discrimination. The Hollywood Reporter. February 17, 2022.
- 25.Rockmond Dunbar Traces His DNA To Nigeria. Youtube. September 16, 2011 cbignore.
- 26.Homecoming for Rockmond Dunbar and mother. Vanguard. April 28, 2012.
- 27.Omowale. Online Nigeria Nigerian Names and Meanings.
References
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Formation and teaching. Dunbar studied at University of New Mexico, Morehouse College, Oakland Technical High School and Vallejo High School. Recorded as having studied at University of New Mexico, Morehouse College and Oakland Technical High School.
Activity and practice
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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