Morris Chestnut: A Tribute to the Epitome of '90s Fine
The epitome of "90s fine," Morris Chestnut inarguably follows the path set by Sidney Poitier, Billy Dee Williams, and Denzel Washington—Black leading men who have captivated their audiences not only with good looks but also with actual talent. At 55, he is still smooth and sexy (and kind of frustrating) in the supporting role of Swa Brickland in Diarra From Detroit.
Let's look back at some of his most remembered film roles.
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
In his feature debut, Chestnut plays Ricky, a star running back for Crenshaw High who is most likely to succeed out of his friend group. That should have been the first clue (spoiler alert!) that he'd be the one tragically killed for the greatest emotional impact. We'll never forget this moment.
The Best Man (1999)
Throughout two movies and a limited series, Chestnut plays Lance Sullivan, a God-fearing and arrogant running back for the NY Giants. In a pivotal scene, he's antagonized by Quentin (Terrence Howard) over his fiancée Mia's fidelity. The movie is a powder keg from this point on, with Lance confronting his promiscuity and revealing that his best man (Taye Diggs) had an encounter with Mia.
Two Can Play That Game (2001)
In Two Can Play That Game, Chestnut reunites with his Out All Night co-star Vivica A. Fox as the suave Keith Fenton. One of his first lines is "Do you like chocolate?" to which the entire audience yelled a collective "Yes!"
The Brothers (2001)
The late 90s and early 2000s were a good time to be a Black actor, since romantic comedy roles were abundant, mostly for talent like Gabrielle Union and Chestnut. The same year they appeared in Two Can Play That Game and also saw The Brothers, where Jackson learns his new girlfriend Denise used to date his father!
The Perfect Guy (2015)
Things came full circle around 2015 when many black actors who became famous in romantic comedies pivoted to romantic thrillers. Chestnut and Sanaa Lathan already co-starred in the Best Man series and are menaced by an unhinged Michael Ealy in The Perfect Guy. Chestnut followed this film with another thriller, When the Bow Breaks, with Best Man co-star Regina Hall.
What are your favorite Morris Chestnut film and television roles?
