Bill Duke

Bill Duke is an acclaimed African American filmmaker, actor, director, producer and writer who received dramatic arts training at Boston University, NYU's Tisch School of Arts and the American Film Institute.

Duke first broke into TV in the early eighties, directing episodes of well-known shows including "Miami Vice," "Cagney & Lacey" and "Hill Street Blues." Additionally, he has directed several movies that received wide critical acclaim, including The Killing Floor, A Raisin in the Sun, Not Easily Broken, Cover, Faces of HIV, Miracles Boys, Deacons for Defense, Deep Cover, A Rage in Harlem and Hoodlum.

As an actor, Duke became known to moviegoers following his appearance in several high-octane action movies of the mid-1980s, including fighting Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando, playing Mac, an unlucky mercenary, in Predator and as a fiery police chief in Action Jackson. More recently, Duke has been in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and American Satan (2017).

Duke is interested in creating films of all genres and lengths that are entertaining, insightful and powerful. Realizing the threats that face young members of the urban community, he created the nonprofit Duke Media Foundation in 2004 to address the issues that threaten the urban communities. He is the founder and CEO of Duke Media, a production company located in Los Angeles, California.