Early Life and Career
Lee was born in Redding, California and grew up in a middle-class family in Sacramento where he attended Valley High School. As he teen, he got involved with the Crips and sold drugs. He turned to acting after being stabbed in the back at age 20 during a fight. Lee attending an acting course and later began performing in Sacramento theaters. He later joined the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he became interested in classic plays. In 1988, he moved to Seattle where he worked with the Seattle Repertory Theatre appearing in The Cider House Rules as Mr. Rose, Spunk as Sweet Back, and A Raisin in the Sun. He also acted in The Kentucky Cycle at the Intiman Theatre and appeared in productions of The Colored Museum, Uncle Vanya, The Meeting as Malcolm X, and as the lead character in Othello.
In 1989, Lee made his film debut in a bit part in short film At a Loose End?. In 1996, Lee guest starred on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and NYPD Blue. In 1997, he appeared in the comedy film Liar Liar, starring Jim Carrey and in the HBO film The Second Civil War. That same year, he also had a recurring role on the CBS crime drama series Brooklyn South. In 1998, he guest starred on Arliss, and in two episodes of Any Day Now.
Lee's last onscreen appearance was on the Season 7 ER episode "Rescue Me" in which he portrayed a drug addicted homeless man. The episode, which aired on November 23, 2000, is dedicated to him.
Read more about this topic: Anthony Dwain Lee
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