By Taroue Brooks
How did you start your acting career?
My mother was a Director and I was always by her side getting exposed to the environment. It became my passion. It was literally in my blood.
Tell us about your role in “Harriet” and why you selected the role.
Bigger Long is the name of my character and I was a Bounty Hunter who captured slaves to return them. This role stuck out for me because it was something different and I had something to prove.
How has this experience influenced you with race today?
Having grown up in Decatur, GA there has always been a lot of work to be done for equality.
What advice do you have for young people today regarding knowing their history?
It is paramount that young people know the truth. This way there is no opportunity for others to lie to them and manipulate the narrative.
What are you going to do to participate in the 2020 election?
I will be knocking on doors encouraging people to vote in Atlanta and Los Angeles. This election is critical.
What kind of role do you desire to play but have not and why?
I have always wanted to work in a Sci Fi films.
When you are not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?
Traveling around the world vacationing to an island or another country. I love to dance and eat a wide variety of cuisines.
How do you manage the competitiveness of being in the entertainment business?
My two children are the only motivating factors. I have to provide and educate them. I don’t want them to have any debt from getting their education.
Omar J. Dorsey BIO
Omar J. Dorsey (Bigger Long) is a classically-trained actor widely known for his critically acclaimed roles in multiple Oscar®-nominated films and award-winning television programs. Dorsey currently stars in “Queen Sugar,” the dramatic TV series created, directed and executive produced by Ava DuVernay, alongside Oprah Winfrey.
Dorsey also starred on silver screen opposite Miles Teller and Amy Schumer in the drama, Thank You for Your Service (2017), which examines how post-traumatic stress disorder affects American service men and women returning home from war. Dorsey starred alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Nick Castle and Toby Huss in the Blumhouse- produced reboot of Halloween, and he was most recently seen in the Netflix series “When They See Us,” directed by DuVernay. He previously was featured in DuVernay’s Academy Award®-nominated drama, Selma, starring as James E. Orange, a pastor and top aide to Martin Luther King Jr. In 2009, he co-starred with Sandra Bullock in Warner Bros.’ hit, The Blind Side which was nominated for an Oscar® for Best Motion Picture and grossed more than $309 million worldwide. In 2012, Dorsey co-starred in the Academy Award®-nominated western, Django Unchained, directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Dorsey recently co-starred opposite Liev Schreiber in Showtime’s acclaimed crime drama “Ray Donovan” playing ex-con/hip-hop mogul Cookie Brown. In 2013, Dorsey co-starred with Danny McBride in HBO’s comedy series “Eastbound & Down” as Dontel Benjamin, a flashy former NFL player turned loudmouth talk-show host. His other TV credits include roles on such series as “Bones,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” “K-Ville,” “NCIS,” “CSI: NY,” “Castle,” “Aquarius” and “The Mentalist.” On stage, Dorsey appeared in the West Coast staging of the comedy Barbecue, a play from Helen Hayes Award winner Robert O’Hara and Tony® nominated director Colman Domingo.
He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.
