is an actor, writer, and director
whose work has been internationally acclaimed.
He created and performed the Obie Award-winning
A HUEY P. NEWTON STORY and adapted it into a
Peabody Award-winning telefilm, directed by his
longtime colleague, Spike Lee.
For Mr. Lee's Oscar-nominated DO THE RIGHT THING,
Mr. Smith created the stuttering hero Smiley, one
of many in a gallery of memorable characters for the
stage and screen.
Also among his historically-inspired performances are
FREDERICK DOUGLASS NOW, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 1992,
and the award-winning duet INSIDE THE CREOLE MAFIA,
a "not-too-dark comedy" in collaboration with New
Orleans native Mark Broyard.
Mr. Smith also directed the distinguished performance
trio Culture Clash in their Bessie Award-winning
RADIO MAMBO.
Roger's most recent work includes a new solo,
THE WATTS TOWERS PROJECT,
and the Spalding Gray retrospective
LEFTOVER STORIES TO TELL, both cited among the best of
2006 by the Los Angeles Times;
and WHO KILLED BOB MARLEY? which inaugurated
Harlem's new GatehouseTheater.
Roger co-stars with Russell Crowe and Denzel
Washington in Ridley Scott's upcoming Vietnam War era epic,
AMERICAN GANGSTER.