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Yasiin Bey
★ Acting

Yasiin Bey

Born 1973 · Brooklyn, New York, USA · Active 1956–2025

Yasiin Bey, born Dante Terrell Smith in 1973, is an American actor and former rapper known for his impactful performances. In Civil Brand (2003), he plays a pivotal role that highlights the harsh realities of prison life and the struggle for justice. Bey's career began in childhood, transitioning from television and theater to film, where he has continued to challenge societal norms through his art. His work in Civil Brand adds a significant voice to the conversation around exploitation and resilience in the face of systemic oppression.

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Civil Brand

Civil Brand

2003 ★ 5.4
as Michael Meadows

Frances, the new inmate at Whitehead, befriends a circle of inmates, and together they rebel against the prison's abuse and exploitation. After several failed attempts to stop the harsh working conditions along with the rape and death of their friend Lil’ Mama, Frances and the other inmates decide to take action and take control over the prison to stop the abuse and stand up for their rights.

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Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

78 credits
2020s 7 credits
2025
Movie ★ 5.5
2023
Part of Me as Himself
Movie
2023
Movie ★ 8.0
2022
Hargrove as Self
Movie ★ 7.0
2022
jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy as Self (archive footage)
TV ★ 7.1
2021
You're Watching Video Music Box as Self (archive footage)
Movie ★ 6.4
2010s 13 credits
2019
Movie ★ 7.6
2016
French Tour as Focé
Movie ★ 5.3
2015
Amy as Self
Movie ★ 7.6
2014
Movie ★ 7.2
2013
Life of Crime as Ordell Robbie
Movie ★ 5.7
2012
Movie ★ 6.7
2011
Movie ★ 6.9
2010
I'm Still Here as Mos Def
Movie ★ 6.0
2010
Movie
2010
Movie
2000s 41 credits
2009
Movie ★ 5.2
2008
Movie ★ 6.3
2008
Movie
2008
Cadillac Records as Chuck Berry
Movie ★ 7.1
2008
Movie ★ 6.0
2008
Fats Waller Was Born Here as "Fats" Wallter/Mike (as Mos Def)
Movie
2007
TV ★ 7.1
2006
16 Blocks as Eddie Bunker
Movie ★ 6.5
2006
Movie ★ 6.4
2006
Movie ★ 5.9
2006
Coachella as Self - Interviewee
Movie ★ 6.5
2006
Dexter as Brother Sam
TV ★ 8.2
2005
Dave Chappelle's Block Party as Self - (as Mos Def)
Movie ★ 6.8
2005
Movie ★ 6.7
2005
Lackawanna Blues as The Bandleader
Movie ★ 5.9
2005
Movie ★ 6.0
2005
Movie ★ 6.6
2005
TV ★ 8.2
2004
Something the Lord Made as Vivien Thomas
Movie ★ 7.9
2004
The Woodsman as Sgt. Lucas
Movie ★ 6.8
2004
House as Lee
TV ★ 8.6
2003
Civil Brand as Michael Meadows
Movie ★ 7.0
2003
The Italian Job as Left Ear
Movie ★ 6.8
2003
Chappelle's Show as Self - Black Star
TV ★ 8.1
2003
TV ★ 5.4
2003
TV ★ 6.0
2002
Brown Sugar as Chris Anton 'Cav' Vichon
Movie ★ 6.6
2002
Showtime as Lazy Boy
Movie ★ 5.6
2001
Monster's Ball as Ryrus Cooper
Movie ★ 6.8
2001
Movie ★ 6.3
2001
TV ★ 7.4
2001
The Proud Family as Mos Def (voice)
TV ★ 7.8
2000
Bamboozled as Mau Mau: Big Blak Afrika
Movie ★ 6.3
2000
Movie ★ 6.9
2000
Movie ★ 3.5
1990s 12 credits
1999
Mark Twain Prize as Self - Musical Guest
TV ★ 6.2
1998
Where's Marlowe? as Wilt Crawley
Movie ★ 5.5
1997
Ghosts as Dante
Movie ★ 8.1
1997
The View as Self
TV ★ 4.4
1997
TV ★ 9.6
1996
Spin City as Monty
TV ★ 7.0
1994
TV ★ 6.0
1992
Split Images as Curtis Roy
Movie ★ 9.0
1992
Here and Now as Alonzo
TV ★ 6.7
1992
TV ★ 5.6
1991
The Hard Way as Dead Romeos
Movie ★ 6.2
1990
You Take the Kids as Raymond Kirkland
TV ★ 6.0
1980s 1 credit
1988
God Bless the Child as Richard Watkins
Movie ★ 6.9
1970s 1 credit
1975
Saturday Night Live as Self - Musical Guest
TV ★ 6.9
1950s 1 credit
1956
Tony Awards as Self - Performer
TV
s 1 credit
Crew Credits
2000s 1 credit
2008
Movie ★ 1.0