Choreographer, actor, television producer, and director Darrin Dewitt Henson is popularly known for his roles on the BET+ action crime drama “The Family Business,” the Allblk crime drama “Double Cross,” and the classic Showtime drama series “Soul Food.”
He was nominated twice for an NAACP Outstanding Supporting Actor Award for his role as Lem Van Adams on “Soul Food.”
Henson is also an accomplished choreographer. He has choreographed music videos for Jennifer Lopez, ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, and Color Me Badd. Henson won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography for “Bye Bye Bye” by ‘N Sync.
Growing up in the Bronx, New York, Henson says the city had a reputation for being tough, but he remembers it being an amazing creative environment. Henson notes that New York was the birthplace of hip hop and says growing up in this burgeoning music scene allowed him the freedom to express himself artistically.
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“Growing up around the creation of hip hop, the music at that time, the films at that time, they all set a precedence in my life — things that I can call on now, as an actor, as a performer that I can use, and utilize in my work now,” said Henson.
Henson recalls dance always being his love language, which led him into the chorographic space. He says he started out as an untrained New York street dancer.
“People would go, ‘are you trained,’ and I would say, ‘yeah, I took the six train to my audition,’” mused Henson.
Henson has also choreographed music videos for Hi-Five for their song “She’s Playing Hard to Get,” SWV’s “Right Here” and “So Into You, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jams single “Let the Beat Hit Em,” and C+C Music Factory’s “Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.”
Henson says two pinnacles in his dance career were working with musical icons Prince and Michael Jackson. He says a future dream would be his autobiography articulated through music and dance.
“I would love to see my life story on a Broadway stage. I would love to tell this story of this young guy from the Bronx, who had a dream, and his dream came true,” said Henson.
An interesting story Henson shares from his life was about how losing an MTV Award led to him becoming an actor.
“I remember crying when we lost, and at the time I remember doing everything I wanted to do,” said Henson. “I worked with Michael, I worked with Prince, the Spice Girls, George Michael, and greats like Donna Summer, everybody I wanted to work with. I’m going to start acting.”
Henson says he went to an open call audition for “Soul Food,” and booked his iconic role on the show. It was his first acting job.
“Hit series, first Black-produced, written, dramatic television show. It’s historical. I was on ‘Soul Food’ for five seasons,” said Henson.
After cementing himself as an actor, Henson says he reluctantly returned to do another video for ‘N Sync and then won the MTV Award he desperately craved.
Today, as a consistent actor, Henson says he is proud to be acting on two hit shows, “The Family Business” and “Double Cross.” Both shows are in their fifth seasons with “The Family Business” streaming on BET and “Double Cross” on Allblk.
“The Family Business” follows the Duncan family, who hide their criminal activities behind a luxury car dealership. “Double Cross” is about brother/sister twins who fight sex-trafficking in their neighborhood.
Recently, Henson independently produced the short film “A House Ain’t a Home,” which is available on Tubi. The film is about four brothers coping with the death of their parents while still finding their way in the world. Henson also directed and starred in the film.
In addition, Henson has penned three books including, “Ain’t That the Truth,” “Life’s Teachable Moments,” and “Intimate Thoughts.”
For more information on Darrin Dewitt Henson, his books, and independent short film “A House Ain’t a Home,” visit https://thedarrinhenson.com.
