Morris Chestnut: Life in Film

A look back at the actor's career through his movies.

Boyz N the Hood - A Southern California native, Morris Chestnut received his first break on the big screen in the John Singleton-directed, Academy-Award nominated Boyz N the Hood. Chesnut plays Ricky Baker, a star running back who is being recruited by USC but is eventually a victim of gang violence.\r(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
The Inkwell (1994) - Larenz Tate finds "puppy love" with Jada Pinkett-Smith's character Lauren while visiting his cousin Junior Phillips (played by Duane Martin) during a summer on Martha's Vineyard.(Photo: Touchstone Pictures)
Under Siege 2 - Chestnut’s first role in a major mainstream film was alongside Steven Seagal in the 1995 action film Under Siege 2. While it wasn’t as successful as the first Under Siege, Chestnut would go on to work with Seagal in two other films (Half Past Dead, Prince of Pistols).(Photo: Warner Bros.)The Best Man - What was thought to be the male version of Waiting to Exhale, Chestnut played Lance Sullivan in Malcolm D. Lee’s The Best Man. Sullivan is the best friend of Taye Diggs's character, Harper Stewart.\r(Photo: Universal Pictures)

Next Gallery

2025 NAACP Image Awards: Tiny Trendsetters: The Kids Bringing Big Style to the Red Carpet

7 Photos

1 / 11

Boyz N the Hood - A Southern California native, Morris Chestnut received his first break on the big screen in the John Singleton-directed, Academy-Award nominated Boyz N the Hood. Chesnut plays Ricky Baker, a star running back who is being recruited by USC but is eventually a victim of gang violence.\r(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

ADVERTISEMENT