Biography
Dwayne Barnes, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, experienced life's harsh realities early on, shaping him both as an artist and individual. During his senior year of high school, Barnes was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" and won a citywide acting competition, earning a scholarship to Eastern Michigan University. After a few years of college, he felt drawn to pursue his destiny and decided to move to Los Angeles to chase stardom.
More than just an actor, Barnes possesses notable vocal talent. Within two years of relocating to Los Angeles, his role in Robert Townsend's "The Five Heartbeats: The Musical" earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the NAACP Theater Awards. He also starred in musicals such as "Letters from Nam," written and produced by Emmy-winning director Paris Barclay, and "Dorian," where The Denver Daily News praised his "knockout performance." His musical abilities led to a contract with Capitol Records, recording an album with the group H20, though the group disbanded before its release.
Barnes has guest-starred in over 30 television shows, including popular series like C.S.I., E.R., and Cold Case. Additional appearances include "Without a Trace," "Angel," "Judging Amy," "Numbers," "The Shield," and "Six Feet Under." Following in the footsteps of icons like Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry ("Jungle Fever"), and Chris Rock ("New Jack City"), Barnes earned critical acclaim for his haunting portrayal of a cheeseburger-loving crack addict in the urban classic Menace II Society.
