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.
Career 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. He made his final appearance on 16 December 2013.
In 2016, Cornell John played the character of Jonas Barrett in the British TV series Victoria shown on PBS MASTERPIECE.
In 2018, John appeared as 'Arnold Guzman' in the film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Filmography YearFilmRoleOther notes1999 Rage Razor 2003 Kaena: The Prophecy Demok Voice role, English version2004 Rottweiler Dongoro 2006 Kidulthood Uncle Curtis 2008 Adulthood Uncle Curtis Billed as Cornell S. JohnThe 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 YearTelevision seriesRole Other notes1997Thief TakersThomas Keyworth 1 episode1999 Maisie Raine Rene 1 episode The Knock Gannon 2 episodes2000 Lenny Henry in Pieces 1 episode2001 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 episodes2010 Casualty Joey Craven 1 episode Five Days Didi Mputu 4 episodes 2011 Top Boy Wendell 1 episode2011–12 Rastamouse Wensley Dale Voice role, 38 episodes2012 Waterloo Road Lionel Tsibi 1 episode Holby City Vivian Wallace 1 episode Inside Men Sid 3 episodes2013 EastEnders Sam James 49 episodes2015 Death in Paradise William Lee 1 episode2016 Victoria Jonas Barrett 1 episode 2020–22 Gangs of London Joseph Singer 5 episodes YearVideo gameRole Other notes2000Crash BashAku Aku, Uka UkaVoice role, listed under "Special Thanks"2008The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianGlenstormVoice role
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