Although he is perhaps best known for his Emmy Award winning portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton on the NBC series "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1992-1998), actor Andre Braugher has successfully carved out a niche of well-crafted, multi-dimensional roles for himself on the stage, TV and film. Widely respected throughout Hollywood for his intense and highly cerebral characterizations, the 43-year old Chicago native is a "thinking man’s actor," who is always out to discover new ways to himself and his talents. Currently starring in the recently released fantasy-thriller "Frequency," Braugher plays a NYPD Detective who gets caught up in a time travel murder mystery. "The story idea for Frequency was a powerful idea that I just had to be a part of," says the actor whose other noteworthy film credits includes parts in "City of Angels," "Primary Fear," "Glory" and "Tuskegee Airmen". "The character that I play in this film is a father figure to the son of my best friend who was killed in an accident." Unbeknownst to me, however, through some freak act of nature this young man is able to communicate with his dad through an old ham radio, and in the process sets into motion a series of events which have serious ramifications."

Life right now is full of opportunities for the Julliard graduate, who in the coming months will play a gang lord opposite Lou Diamond Phillips in "A Better Way to Die," and will star opposite Gwenyth Paltrow in the bar room comedy "Duets". This Fall, Braugher is also planning to make his return to series television in the much talked show "Gideon’s Crossing," Playing a doctor with amazing powers to heal, the new show is based on the inspirational true stories of a Boston area doctor named Jerome Groopman and unique approach to medicine. "Basically the show will follow the lives of the people and situations that I encounter while doing my work. It’s a human drama, that doesn’t rely on the usual TV tricks, explains Braugher, who returns to television somewhat reluctantly.

"My plan after leaving Homicide was to completely concentrate on doing movies, but what I’ve learned is that things happen in this business that you’re not always in control of, " he says. This opportunity was too good to let pass by. The character that I’m playing is really solid and the script that they used for the pilot was very strong. I’m still very committed to carving out a niche for myself in films, but at the same time I’m not going to limit myself from doing great work just because it’s on the tube."

Having recently made his directorial debut in with the well-received Showtime trilogy "Love Songs," Braugher would like to develop more opportunities for himself as a director. Currently he’s prepping to direct the drama "!0,000 Blackmen Named George," which is based on A. Phillip Randolph’s successful strike campaign with the Pullman Porters. After that, he’s also set to direct and star in a father and son relationship film for the TNT network. All and all the actor says that he’s at very good time in his career. "I’ve been given a tremendous privilege and opportunity," he says. "Acting fills a very special part of my soul, and if doing what I do gives audiences a good time, than I’m very happy with the work that I’ve set out to do."

Acclaimed actress and "Moesha" star Sheryl Lee Ralph, presided over a stellar-line up of talent for the 10th Annual "Divas Simply Singing" concert. The magical evening of song featured performances from The Emotions, Tisha Campbell, Oleta Adams, Maureen McGovern, Toni Tennille and Vann Johnson and Melissa Manchester. Ralph and the rest of her singer divas recently released a Divas: Simply Singing CD available exclusively at Virgin Megastores nationwide. All the proceeds from the sale of this CD will go to AIDS charities. Entertainment luminaries Debbie Allen, Bill Duke, Tracey Edmonds, Isaac Hayes and Robert Townsend are scheduled to join a group of Hollywood’s elite for the 4th Annual Acapulco Black Film Festival, being held June 5-10 in Acapulco, Mexico. Featuring screenings, film competitions, workshops, panel discussions and entertainment events, the festival is an annual celebration of independent films by people of African descent from around the world. For more information check out their website at www. abff.com

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