"So it's really been tough for me to really be able to navigate this industry, because it takes a lot out of me, and every time I do come up and do things like this, and people don't realize it," he said. "So first and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me and allowing me to be able to do that, to be able to go outside of myself and be in an industry where you have to go outside of yourself and be these characters. ... Friendship is very important to me.
Born Jan. 1, 1969, in Cerritos, Chestnut made his professional acting debut in a 1990 episode of the syndicated horror anthology series "Freddy's Nightmares -- A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series." He made his film debut in the 1991 coming of age drama "Boyz n the Hood," playing star Crenshaw High School running back Ricky Baker.