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Roger Guenveur Smith

Roger Guenveur Smith

Actor, also writer · Born July 27, 1955 (71) · Berkeley, California, USA

Roger Guenveur Smith (born July 27, 1955) is an American actor and filmmaker, best known for his collaborations with director Spike Lee.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 27, 1955 (71)
From
Berkeley, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
65 on MovieCove · 91 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

What are Roger Guenveur Smith's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
23%
Morality
23%
Bonds
16%
Survival
15%
Society
11%
Power
8%
Ideas
5%
Identity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge4 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 31 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 10 · Dark 14

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 23 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 15 · Intense 11

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 19 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 20 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 9 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 9

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 15 · Open-ended 12 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

17 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 7 of 17 analyzed roles.

Shadow
7 of 17
Trickster
3 of 17
Mentor
3 of 17
Hero
2 of 17
Herald
1 of 17
Shapeshifter
1 of 17
Show the 17 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Melancholic
14
Contemplative
7
Dread
6
Thrilling
6
Other
26

How their films linger

Thought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet15
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous10

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Roger Guenveur Smith's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 46 of their 65 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (23).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Roger Guenveur Smith's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

91 credits, 65 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • God with Us (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Boozer

  • Guns & Moses(2024)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Space to Breathe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Producer · as Storian

  • Heaven is Nobody's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Big Man

  • Riff Raff(2024)

    as Sandy's Father

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Mind Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Till(2022)

    as Dr. T.R.M. Howard

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Real Talk(2021)

    as Oliver James / King Of Diamonds

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Available Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Walter

  • The Five Rules Of Success (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Santos

  • Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Booker T. Washington

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Business of Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Oscar Franklin

  • Influence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Bradley Hudson

  • Hollow Point(2019)

    as Detective Chuck Bryant

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • All Rise(2019)

    Show 8 episodes · as Thomas Marshall

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • I'll See You Around(2019)

    as Michael Gomez

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • It's Not About Jimmy Keene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Producer · as Bukka LaRocke

  • Behind the Movement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Raymond

  • The Other Side(2018)

    as Martin

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Burning Shadow(2018)

    as Mr. Jones

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Queen of Hollywood Blvd(2017)

    as Duke

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Clapper(2017)

    as Dr. Rogers B Hay

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Marshall(2017)

    as Walter White

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Exhortation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Dr. Brinks & Dr. Brinks(2017)

    as Paul Sydney

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Rodney King(2017)

    Writer · as Rodney King

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Bitch(2017)

    as Steven Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Birth of a Nation(2016)

    as Isaiah

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Dirty(2016)

    as Detective Berg

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Where Is Rocky II?(2016)

    as Museum Director (segment: "Monument One")

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Chi-Raq(2015)

    as Red, White, and Blue Insurance Salesman

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Dope(2015)

    as Austin Jacoby

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Supermodel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Max

  • They Die by Dawn(2013)

    as Jourdon Anderson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Empire State(2013)

    as Agent Marichal

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Better Mus' Come (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Prime Minister

  • In the Hive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Paris

  • In Sickness and in Health(2012)

    as Calvin

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Son of No One(2011)

    as Hanky

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Joy Road(2004)

    as Charles Blocker

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Abduction(2011)

    as Mr. Miles

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • CornerStore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Earl

  • Eagleheart(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Vargas

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Page 36 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Avoe Vullaley

  • Salvation Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as The Man

  • Fighting(2009)

    as Jack Dancing

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Kings(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Belial

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Applause for Miss E(2009)

    as Buddy

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Sac Federici

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • American Gangster(2007)

    as Nate

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • I Believe in America(2007)

    as Cesar

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Fist of the Warrior(2007)

    as Det. Craig Barnes

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Cover(2007)

    as Kevin Parker

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Confessions(2006)

    as Father Jeffrey

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • God's Waiting List (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Solomon Corbin

  • Mercenary for Justice(2006)

    as Anthony Chapel

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Fatwa(2006)

    as Samir Al-Faied

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Carter

  • K Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 10 episodes · as Francisco Dupré

  • Shade(2003)

    as Marlo

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives(2003)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • All About the Benjamins(2002)

    as Julian

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Guardian(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Reginald Harris

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Baby Boy(2001)

    as Home Invasion Victim (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • A Huey P. Newton Story(2001)

    Writer · as Huey P. Newton

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Warden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Napoliano

  • Hamlet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Laertes

  • Final Destination(2000)

    as Agent Schreck

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Third Watch(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Off. Ty Davis Sr.

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Incognito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Quinn Mathis

  • Summer of Sam(1999)

    as Detective Curt Atwater

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Facade(1999)

    as Henson

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Color of Courage(1998)

    as Mac McGhee

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • He Got Game(1998)

    as Big Time Willie

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Eve's Bayou(1997)

    as Lenny Mereaux

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Oz(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Huseni Mershah

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Get on the Bus(1996)

    as Gary Rivers

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Hood(1995)

    as Rhodie (segment "KKK Comeuppance")

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Panther(1995)

    as Pruitt

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The O.J. Simpson Story(1995)

    as Professor Ford

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Cosmic Slop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Dr. Erik Fanon (segment 'Space Traders')

  • New York Undercover(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Fallen Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Johnny Truelove

  • Poetic Justice(1993)

    as Heywood

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Malcolm X(1992)

    as Rudy

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Deep Cover(1992)

    as Eddie

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • King of New York(1990)

    as Tanner

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Do the Right Thing(1989)

    as Smiley

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • School Daze(1988)

    as Gammite Yoda

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • A Different World(1987)

    Show 5 episodes · as Prof. Howard Randolph

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 90 titles, 89 of them dated from 1987 to 2025; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

Final Destination (2000)

$113M worldwide

Highest rated

Dope (2015)

Midcredits 87th

Most popular right now

Final Destination (2000)

Film career

19872025

Peak 2016 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting90 of 90: 86 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score55thWriting2 of 90: 0 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing2 of 90: 0 only producing, 2 with another role

90 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s19 · acting2000s22 · 22 acting · 1 crew2010s32 · 32 acting · 2 crew2020s12 · 12 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 28 roles
88939808

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Roger Guenveur Smith's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 47th percentile, the median of all 55; across their 31 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Approval · how many liked their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Reach · how many have seen their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Midcredits score across 65 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

25 of their 65 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Divisive7
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed25

Most divisive · actor

Real Talk (2021)

94th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Midcredits 98th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 56/100 in their films, across 24 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 35. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Roger Guenveur Smith's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles58–86 · median 70 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles42–66 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles78–97 · median 93 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 74 · intenseMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Roger Guenveur Smith work with?

People who share at least 2 of Roger Guenveur Smith's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Spike Lee shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers

Producers