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United States Rockmond Dunbar is an accomplished actor, producer, and director with a career spanning over three decades in film and television.
Rockmond Dunbar filed a lawsuit against Disney's 20th Television in 2022, alleging he was wrongly fired from '9-1-1' due to his religious beliefs against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He claimed he was denied medical and religious exemptions and faced racial discrimination. A jury unanimously ruled in favor of 20th Television in October 2025, rejecting Dunbar's claims.
Rockmond Dunbar was born on January 11, 1973, in Berkeley, California. He pursued higher education at Morehouse College, the College of Santa Fe, and the University of New Mexico, laying the groundwork for a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry. Early in his career, Dunbar gained recognition for his role as Baines in the NBC series “Earth 2” (1994-1995) and later as Kenny Chadway on the Showtime family drama “Soul Food” (2000-2004), a role that led TV Guide to name him one of “Television’s 50 Sexiest Stars of All Time.” These early television roles established his presence as a notable actor.
Dunbar’s career progressed significantly with his role as Benjamin Miles “C-Note” Franklin in the highly acclaimed Fox crime drama “Prison Break” (2005-2017), where he was a main cast member for seasons 1, 2, and 5, and a recurring character in season 4. He further diversified his acting portfolio by taking on the role of Sheriff Eli Roosevelt in the FX Drama series “Sons of Anarchy” (2011-2013) and FBI Agent Dennis Abbott on CBS’s “The Mentalist” (2013-2015). His film credits include “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005), “Dirty Laundry” (2006), and “The Family That Preys” (2008), demonstrating his range across both television and film. Beyond acting, Dunbar has also contributed as a producer and director on several projects, including producing 9 projects such as “Pastor Brown” (2009) and directing 7 projects including “The Great Commission” (2003).
In recent years, Dunbar was a main cast member in the series “9-1-1” (2018-2021) as Michael Grant. His departure from the show in 2021 stemmed from his refusal to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, citing religious exemptions. This led to a legal dispute with 20th Television, which he ultimately lost in October 2025. Despite this, Dunbar continues to be active in the industry, with upcoming acting projects like “BMF,” “One Spoon of Chocolate,” “Straw,” and “The Accused,” all slated for 2025. His career reflects a sustained commitment to acting, producing, and directing, marked by significant roles in popular television series and films.
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