Cornell Solomon John (born 1963) is a British actor who has appeared in various film and television productions since 1999. He is most renowned for his role as Trife's uncle, Curtis, in the films Kidulthood (2006), Adulthood (2008) and Brotherhood in addition to later starring in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Sam James, during 2013. He is also known for having originated the role of Mufasa in the West End production of the musical The Lion King.

Cornell John
Born
Cornell Solomon John

1963 (age 60–61)
OccupationActor
Years active1999–present

Career

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John made his screen debut in two episodes of the television series The Knock. Over the course of the next few years he appeared in television shows including Maisie Raine and Lenny Henry in Pieces, and also appeared in the films Rottweiler and Red Mercury.

However, his most establishing role as a film actor was as Curtis, Trevor's Uncle, in the 2006 film Kidulthood, a role which he reprised for the sequel to the film Adulthood (2008), the latter of which was directed by fellow actor Noel Clarke. He then reprised the role for a 3rd time in the sequel to Adulthood, Brotherhood in 2016. He also appeared as Glenstorm in the fantasy film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian in 2008, and the same year he appeared playing the same character in a video game of the same name. He has also appeared in other video games including EyeToy: Play and Fable. He has appeared on soap opera Doctors on two occasions, the first in 2001 and the second in 2005. He has also appeared in another medical drama Holby City on two occasions, the first in 2002, before returning to appear in another episode of the series ten years on in 2012. He appeared in his third medical drama Casualty in 2010. He appeared as Didi Mputu in four episodes of Five Days (2010) and as Sid in three episodes of Inside Men (2012).

He appeared in an episode of Top Boy in 2011, while other film credits include Anuvahood (2011) and Jack the Giant Slayer (2013).

From 2011 until 2012, he played the role of Wensley Dale in the children's television show Rastamouse. He appeared in 31 episodes of the series in total.

In 2012, he made a one-off appearance in the BBC television series, Waterloo Road. He played the role of Lionel Tsibi, the uncle of regular character Lula Tsibi (Marlene Madenge).

In 2013, he was cast in the role Sam James in the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders. His character is introduced as the estranged husband to established character Ava Hartman (Clare Perkins) and father to Dexter Hartman (Khali Best). He was cast in the role by executive producer Lorraine Newman, and made his first appearance on the show on 14 May 2013.[1] He made his final appearance on 16 December 2013.[2]

In 2018, John appeared as 'Arnold Guzman' in the film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.[3]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Other notes
1999 Rage Razor
2003 Kaena: The Prophecy Demok Voice role, English version
2004 Rottweiler Dongoro
2006 Kidulthood Uncle Curtis
2008 Adulthood Uncle Curtis Billed as Cornell S. John
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Glenstorm
2005 Red Mercury Neville
2011 Anuvahood Yardie
2013 Jack the Giant Slayer Fee Voice role, billed as Cornell S. John
2016 Brotherhood Uncle Curtis
2016 Captain America: Civil War Attaché Billed as Cornell S. John
2018 Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Arnold Guzman
2020 His House The Apeth Voice role
2023 The Pope's Exorcist Bishop Lumumba
Year Television series Role Other notes
1997 Thief Takers Thomas Keyworth 1 episode
1999 Maisie Raine Rene 1 episode
The Knock Gannon 2 episodes
2000 Lenny Henry in Pieces 1 episode
2001 Doctors Ray Adams 1 episode
2002 EastEnders Jimmy 3 episodes
Holby City Harry Sutherland 1 episode
Doctors D.S. Dave Patterson 1 episode
2009 No Signal! 2 episodes
2010 Casualty Joey Craven 1 episode
Five Days Didi Mputu 4 episodes
2011 Top Boy Wendell 1 episode
2011–12 Rastamouse Wensley Dale Voice role, 38 episodes
2012 Waterloo Road Lionel Tsibi 1 episode
Holby City Vivian Wallace 1 episode
Inside Men Sid 3 episodes
2013 EastEnders Sam James 49 episodes
2015 Death in Paradise William Lee 1 episode
2020–22 Gangs of London Joseph Singer 5 episodes
Year Video game Role Other notes
2000 Crash Bash Aku Aku, Uka Uka Voice role, listed under "Special Thanks"
2008 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Glenstorm Voice role

References

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  1. ^ Rigby, Sam (14 April 2013). "'EastEnders' casts Cornell S John as Dexter Hartman's father". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Sam James". EastEnders. BBC. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Everything we know about Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald so far". Pottermore. 16 November 2017.
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