Actor Keith Robinson is best-known for his role in the award-winning adaptation of the Broadway hit musical, Dreamgirls, where he portrayed Effie White’s (Jennifer Hudson) brother, C.C. White. Dreamgirls allowed Robinson to showcase his other talents for dancing and singing as well. The Kentucky-born actor not only was featured on three songs on the film’s soundtrack, he also was invited to perform with his castmates, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose, the Oscar-nominated song from the film, “Patience,” at the 2007 Academy Awards.
Though his role in Dreamgirls is his biggest to date, this handsome actor is no stranger to Hollywood, having started his career as Joel Rawlings, the Green Power Ranger, and having appeared on hit shows such as “ER,” “American Dreams,” “Monk,” “Half & Half” and “Over There.” He also starred in the 2007 film, This Christmas, along with Regina King, Lauren London, Chris Brown and Idris Elba.
His most recent role is in the Russ Parr-directed film, 35 & Ticking, where he plays Phil, a married father whose wife isn’t really interested in being a mother. When asked about his experience with the other actors during filming (Nicole Ari Parker, Kevin Hart and Tamala Jones), Robinson stated, “It was great because I was going to work with my friends every day. Nicole, Kevin, Tamala and I are all really good friends, so it was great to be around people I genuinely like and respect.”
Though he has been blessed in this game that is Hollywood, Robinson admits that “it is really difficult to find quality roles being an African American because studios aren’t green-lighting as many new projects, and the competition for the available roles is quite fierce.”
Singing has always been the sexy thespian’s first love, but acting is a close second. “I actually got interested in acting when I moved to Los Angeles and decided to take an acting class and realized that it came to me quite naturally. I love the intimate moments in acting when you get the chance to communicate, and everything is about you and the other person,” he said.
Look out for Robinson’s latest film, 35 & Ticking, which will be in theaters on May 20, 2011, in Atlanta, D.C., and Baltimore. He is also currently working on several television and film projects as well as the release of his first solo album, titled Utopia.
–christa e. jackson
Follow Keith Robinson on Twitter @keithsings and Facebook at www.facebook.com/keithrobinsonsings.
