During the shooting of Ocean's Twelve, award-winning actor Don Cheadle, who took over the part originally essayed by Sammy Davis Jr, played Texas Hold 'Em night after night atop the roof terrace of the ultra-chic Hotel de Russie in Rome with cast members and fellow Rat Packers Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, Casey Affleck, and director Steven Soderbergh. Back in the US, Cheadle found himself in the WPT Invitational, where he learned to be patient and wait for the cards. He later stated he was going to use what he learned at the Invitational against his buddies in his own home game. Watch out, Brad and Matt!
Widely recognized as one of the finest African American actors in the business, Don Cheadle first came to the public’s attention on the critically acclaimed television series Picket Fences. His other small screen appearances include Fame, L.A. Law, Hill Street Blues, Night Court, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, The Simpsons, Bernie Mac Show, and ER.His movie credits include such fine films as Hamburger Hill (1986), Colors (1988), The Meteor Man (1993), Devil In A Blue Dress (1995), Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead (1995), Rosewood (1997), Boogie Nights (1997), Volcano (1997), The Rat Pack (1998), Traffic (2000), The Family Man (2000), Rush Hour 2 (2001), Swordfish (2001), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Crash (2004), Hotel Rwanda (2004), and Ocean’s Twelve (2004). He has recently started working behind the camera, producing the critically acclaimed Crash (2004) and is slated to direct Tishomingo Blues, starring Matthew McConaughey. He is currently filming Smokin’ Aces, where he plays an assassin in Vegas with fellow poker buff Ben Affleck.He has won the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite, and Image Awards for his work in recent years, and has been nominated for the Oscar, Emmy, BET Comedy, and MTV Movie Awards. A civil rights activist, Don spends his spare time trying to raise awareness and funds for relief efforts concerning the genocide in the African country of Rwanda.
