The Cast of Malcolm X: Where Are They Now

The cast who cinematically resurrected the '60s leader.

Malcolm X, Sunday at 7P/6C - Denzel Washington's ending the movement. See him cause silver screen ruckus in other iconic roles too!(Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

1 / 14

Malcolm X (1992)  - From Spike Lee's fight to helm the film (over a white director) to the Black celebrity financing of the finished product (over the studio's denial of funds), Malcolm X, starring Denzel Washington, became a cultural touchstone. In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be a part of its National Film Registry.On the 20th anniversary of this historic work, here's a look at the cast who resurrected Malcolm for a new generation. (Photo: Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

(Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

2 / 14

Denzel Washington  - Eleven years after playing Malcolm X in the off-Broadway play When the Chickens Come Home to Roost, Denzel was again cast as the fiery Black nationalist leader. His stunning performance earned him an Oscar nod for best actor. While he didn't win, he'd snatch the honor in 2001 for the lead role in Training Day. And there's word his latest role in the hit film Flight is Academy Award-worthy.  (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

Angela Bassett, Malcolm X - As if being married to a revolutionary wasn't hard enough, Betty Shabazz (Bassett) had to deal with raising six children as a single mother after her husband was assassinated. Malcolm X is as much Betty's story as it is Malcolm's, thanks to the fact that the real-life Mrs. X was an advisor on the project. (Photo: Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

3 / 14

Angela Bassett - Angela Bassett starred as Malcolm's wife, Dr. Betty Shabazz. A year after Malcom X, Bassett was nominated for a best actress Oscar for her portrayal of Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do With It. The Golden Globe-winning actress continues her illustrious film and TV career. She's currently gearing up to star in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen.   (Photo: Courtesy 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

Albert Hall - The role of Bains, the fictional character who converts Malcolm to Islam while in prison, was played by Albert Hall. After Malcolm X, the veteran actor became best know for playing Judge Seymore Walsh on the hit series Ally McBeal. He's also starred in the series 24, The Young and the Restless and Men of a Certain Age. (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

4 / 14

Albert Hall - The role of Bains, the fictional character who converts Malcolm to Islam while in prison, was played by Albert Hall. After Malcolm X, the veteran actor became best know for playing Judge Seymore Walsh on the hit series Ally McBeal. He's also starred in the series 24, The Young and the Restless and Men of a Certain Age. (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

Al Freeman Jr. - Acting great Al Freeman Jr. played Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. Aside from his plethora of work in the '60s, including his breakout role in the 1967 film Dutchman, Freeman's Elijah would be the actor's most noted part until his death this year.  (Photo: Courtesy of Howard University)

5 / 14

Al Freeman Jr. - Acting great Al Freeman Jr. played Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. Aside from his plethora of work in the '60s, including his breakout role in the 1967 film Dutchman, Freeman's Elijah would be the actor's most noted part until his death this year.  (Photo: Courtesy of Howard University)

ADVERTISEMENT
Delroy Lindo  - Delroy Lindo found his breakout role playing Malcolm's crime boss, West Indian Archie. Afterward, Lindo continued to find some of his juiciest parts in Spike Lee productions like Clockers (1994) and Crooklyn (1995). He's also taken his note-worthy skills to TV, starring in the TV movie Lackawanna Blues and the series The Chicago Code. (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

6 / 14

Delroy Lindo  - Delroy Lindo found his breakout role playing Malcolm's crime boss, West Indian Archie. Afterward, Lindo continued to find some of his juiciest parts in Spike Lee productions like Clockers (1994) and Crooklyn (1995). He's also taken his note-worthy skills to TV, starring in the TV movie Lackawanna Blues and the series The Chicago Code. (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

Roger Guenveur Smith - Malcolm's burglary partner, Rudy, was played by Roger Guenveur Smith. The acting vet went on to star in the series Oz and All My Children. In 2001, his critically-acclaimed one man stage production The Huey P. Newton Story was turned into a film and directed by Spike Lee. He recently completed filming the Western They Die at Dawn, starring Idris Elba and Rosario Dawson. (Photo: Sebastian Artz/Getty Images)

7 / 14

Roger Guenveur Smith - Malcolm's burglary partner, Rudy, was played by Roger Guenveur Smith. The acting vet went on to star in the series Oz and All My Children. In 2001, his critically-acclaimed one man stage production The Huey P. Newton Story was turned into a film and directed by Spike Lee. He recently completed filming the Western They Die at Dawn, starring Idris Elba and Rosario Dawson. (Photo: Sebastian Artz/Getty Images)

Theresa Randle: December 27 - 50 never looked this good.(Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images)

8 / 14

Theresa Randle - Theresa Randle was cast as Malcolm's childhood friend Laura, whose life takes a dark turn when she hooks up with a junkie. Randle earned her first starring role in the Spike Lee joint Girl 6 in 1996. Other hit films Randle has starred in include Sugar Hill (1993), Bad Boys (1995) and Bad Boys 2 (2006). In 2007, she starred in the series State of Mind. (Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images)

Lonette McKee as Grandma - Lonette McKee captures the audience's heart as the loving grandmother and caretaker of Woody. (Photo: Joseph Marzullo/Wenn.com)

9 / 14

Lonette McKee  - Lonette McKee landed the role of Malcolm's mother, Louise Little. McKee, who starred in the original Sparkle (1976), continues to maintain a presence on the small and big screen, starring in the series Third Watch and in the comedy drama Honey 2. (Photo: Joseph Marzullo/Wenn.com)

Giancarlo Esposito: April 26 - The Do the Right Thing star turns 50. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

10 / 14

Giancarlo Esposito - Giancarlo Esposito landed the role of Malcolm's assassin Thomas Hayer. Esposito, who's been an acclaimed actor for over 30 years, has finally begun getting mainstream heat, garnering notice for his bad boy role in the series Breaking Bad. Currently, he stars in the TV drama Revolution.  (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

ADVERTISEMENT
Spike Lee - After Norman Jewison (a white director) bowed out, following public outcry that Malcolm X should be directed by someone Black, Spike Lee (one of Jewison's main critics) was hired to helm the historic project. The Oscar-nominated director released his most recent film, Red Hook Summer, in 2012. He's currently filming the drama Oldboy.  (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

11 / 14

Spike Lee - After Norman Jewison (a white director) bowed out, following public outcry that Malcolm X should be directed by someone Black, Spike Lee (one of Jewison's main critics) was hired to helm the historic project. The Oscar-nominated director released his most recent film, Red Hook Summer, in 2012. He's currently filming the drama Oldboy.  (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks)

Terence Blanchard - Musician/composer Terence Blanchard wrote the film's original music and served as conductor. Other films Blanchard has composed music for include Inside Man, Talk to Me, Cadillac Records and Red Tails. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

12 / 14

Terence Blanchard - Musician/composer Terence Blanchard wrote the film's original music and served as conductor. Other films Blanchard has composed music for include Inside Man, Talk to Me, Cadillac Records and Red Tails. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Alex Haley  - Author Alex Haley wrote The Autobiography of Malcolm X, the impactful memoir the film was based on. Haley became a household name and America's most celebrated author when his book Roots was made into the groundbreaking mini-series in the 1970s. He died in 1992 at the age of 70. (Photo: Mickey Adair/Getty Images)

13 / 14

Alex Haley  - Author Alex Haley wrote The Autobiography of Malcolm X, the impactful memoir the film was based on. Haley became a household name and America's most celebrated author when his book Roots was made into the groundbreaking mini-series in the 1970s. He died in 1992 at the age of 70. (Photo: Mickey Adair/Getty Images)

Ossie Davis  - Actor Ossie Davis, who delivered the eulogy at Malcolm X's funeral in 1965, read his original words for the film. The legendary actor starred in several Spike Lee films, including Get On the Bus and She Hate Me as well as a multitude of film and TV productions. He died in 2005 at the age of 87.(Photo: Brad Barket/ Getty Images)

14 / 14

Ossie Davis  - Actor Ossie Davis, who delivered the eulogy at Malcolm X's funeral in 1965, read his original words for the film. The legendary actor starred in several Spike Lee films, including Get On the Bus and She Hate Me as well as a multitude of film and TV productions. He died in 2005 at the age of 87.(Photo: Brad Barket/ Getty Images)