
Photo: VIP IGNITE LIVE / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Henley is the definition of a working character actor whose face you know even if his name doesn't immediately land. I love that he can slip into a Michael Mann film like Collateral and feel completely lived-in, then turn around and bring that same gravity to the stage. There's a warmth and authority in his presence that directors clearly trust, and his theater credentials give him a depth a lot of screen-only actors lack. He's the kind of performer who quietly elevates every project, and I always feel a little more confident in a cast when I spot his name.
Overview
Barry Shabaka Henley (born September 15, 1954) is an American actor born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a prolific character actor known for his work across film, television, and the stage. His credits include roles in films such as Collateral, Ali, and The Terminal, and he has earned recognition in the theater world.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Barry Shabaka Henley
- Name (Japanese)
- バリー・シャバカ・ヘンリー
- Reading
- ばりー・しゃばか・へんりー
- Born
- September 15, 1954 (age 71)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Horse
- Origin
- New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- Actor / Stage actor / Television actor / Film actor / Television host
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- San Francisco Technical High School
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- Drama Desk Award
- Obie Award
- Laurence Olivier Award
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Actor — see all → · Stage actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.