As a child, he was called "Rockhead" because of his involvement in neighborhood rock fights
The nickname was shortened to "Roc" when he became an amateur boxer
Served time in prison for manslaughter and other offenses
In prison, started up a theater group after reading the play Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward
In 1984, made professional stage debut in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the first Broadway play by Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson
Wrote and performed a one-man play, From Jail to Yale: Serving Time on Stage (2008), about the journey from his troubled youth in Baltimore to becoming an accomplished actor
Awards
2003Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series:winner
2002Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series:winner
2000Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special:winner