Common's Best Tough-Guy Roles

Common's best tough-guy roles.

Common: March 13 - The rapper, actor and poet celebrates his 41st birthday. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

1 / 11

Common: March 13 - The rapper, actor and poet celebrates his 41st birthday. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

030613-celebs-cake-common.jpg

2 / 11

Screen Time: Common's Best Tough Guy Roles - Chicago-born rapper/actor Common is most known for his conscious, calm, cool and collective rhymes, but he has also been known to show his tough side a time or two. We're chronicling some his toughest roles yet.

3 / 11

<p><b>Screen Time: Common's Best Tough Guy Roles</b></p>

Sir Ivy in Smokin' Aces - In Smokin' Aces Common acted as the right-hand henchman to a wannabe gangster magician. Common's character, Sir Ivy, soon finds out that the man he's sworn to protect, Buddy Israel, is out for blood and Ivy's on the list as well. (Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

4 / 11

<p><b>Sir Ivy in <i>Smokin' Aces</i></b><br> </p>

Turner Lucas in American Gangster - As Turner Lucas in American Gangster, Common channeled his inner thug. Although, we didn't like seeing the always calm brother being a bit gritty. We couldn't help but to love his performance.(Photo: Courtesy of Imagine Entertainment)

5 / 11

<p><b>Turner Lucas in <i>American Gangster</i></b><br> </p>

ADVERTISEMENT
Coates in Street Kings - Common took it to the streets in Street Kings as a corrupt LAPD deputy walking around under the name Coates. As Coates,&nbsp;Common proves just how bad he is by making people believe his undercover facade is real.(Photo: Courtesy of Regency Enterprises)

6 / 11

<p><b>Coates in <i>Street Kings</i></b><br> </p>

The Gunsmith in Wanted - As this persuasive character,&nbsp;Common acts as gun instructor to his fellow fraternity members aka Earl Malcolm Spellman (the Gunsmith). One skill in the Gunsmith's expertise was teaching people how to curve bullets.(Photo: Courtesy of Relativity Media)

7 / 11

<p><b>The Gunsmith in<i> Wanted</i></b><br> </p>

Barnes in Terminator Salvation - In Terminator Salvation Common acted as a very religious ex-football player who joined the &quot;Resistance&quot; rather than succumbed to the local gang influences he grew up watching.(Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

8 / 11

<p><b>Barnes in <i>Terminator Salvation</i></b><br> </p>

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Collins in Date Night - Common acts again as a corrupt detective who seems to be on the payroll of mobster Joe Miletto. As Detective Collins in Date Night, Common helps Miletto find a flash drive with vital info that seems to be stolen.(Photo: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox)

9 / 11

<p><b>Collins in <i>Date Night</i></b><br> </p>

Coach Cal in The Odd Life of Timothy Green - Tough love is the name of the game for Common as he plays Coach Cal in The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Here Common uses he tough-guy exterior to whip the young Timothy green into shape.(Photo: Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures)

10 / 11

<p><b>Coach Cal in <i>The Odd Life of Timothy Green</i></b><br> </p>

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

073013-shows-bet-star-cinema-common-luv.jpg

11 / 11

<p><b>Vincent in <i>LUV</i></b><br> </p>