Dwight Henry (born 1962) is an American actor, baker, and businessman. He is best known for his role as Wink, Hushpuppy's father, in the film Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012). Additionally, Henry is the founder of the Buttermilk Drop Bakery in New Orleans.
Life and career Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Henry moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, when he was a young child. Having lived there through adulthood, he founded Henry's Bakery and Deli near his home in the historic Tremé neighborhood. The bakery was successful enough that Henry planned to open a second location of his store, until Hurricane Katrina changed his plans.
Though he had no professional training or experience as an actor, the filmmakers of Beasts of the Southern Wild cast him in the film, while allowing him to operate his bakery regularly during shooting. Henry earned positive reviews for the film, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, but insists that his primary career is managing his bakery, now called the Buttermilk Drop Bakery. He agreed to open a second location of his store in Harlem in the near future.
He continued his acting career and appeared in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave (2013).
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes2012Beasts of the Southern WildWinkLos Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated - Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting ActorNominated - Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough PerformanceNominated - Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated - Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising PerformerNominated - NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated - Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated - Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Breakthrough Performance201312 Years a SlaveUncle Abram2015Navy Seals vs. ZombiesArmed civilian2016The Birth of a NationIsaac Turner2018Warning ShotJawari2018Boo!Memphis2019Easy Does ItChief Parker2020CurtisCurtis2022The Legend of FirelilyClerkEpisode: "Daddy's Girl"2024UndyingDr. Poe
References
External links
Buttermilk Drop Bakery Official Site