Larenz Tate (born September 8, 1975)^[1][2] is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his roles as O-Dog inMenace II Society, Anthony Curtis inDead Presidents, and as Councilman Rashad Tate inPower. Tate's other films and television series include the filmsThe Inkwell,Love Jones,A Man Apart,Crash,Waist Deep,Ray and the television seriesRush andGame of Silence.

Tate was born inChicago, to Peggy and Larry Tate.^[3] He is the youngest of three siblings; his two brothers, Larron and Lahmard, are also actors.^[4][5] The family moved toCalifornia during the early 1980s.^[6] Convinced by their parents to enter a drama program at the Inner City Cultural Center, the trio did not take the lessons seriously until classmateMalcolm-Jamal Warner's ascent to fame after being cast on the sitcomThe Cosby Show. Subsequently, realizing that they could parlay their efforts into a tangible form of success, the siblings began to receive small roles and in 1985, Tate made his small-screen debut in an episode ofThe New Twilight Zone.^[7] Tate attendedPalmdale High School, graduating in 1993.^[8]

Following appearances in such television series as21 Jump Street andThe Wonder Years, Tate was cast in the television movieThe Women of Brewster Place before receiving the recurring role ofSteve Urkel's nemesis, Willie Fuffner, in the sitcomFamily Matters.^[9] He also appeared as Curtis, a grandson ofRedd Foxx's character on theCBS seriesThe Royal Family.^[10] Foxx died of a heart attack a month afterThe Royal Family debuted, and a reworking withJackée Harry as part of the cast failed to save the series.^[11]

After numerous acting roles on television, collaborative filmmaking siblingsAlbert and Allen Hughes approached him to star in their debut featureMenace II Society in 1993. In the film, Tate portrayed "O-Dog", a trigger-happy teenager.^[12] Frederick I. Douglass of theBaltimore Black-American opined Tate's performance in the film made it an instant classic.^[13] Tate had a regular role on the short-lived television seriesSouth Central (1994) as Andre.^[14]

Tate acted inThe Inkwell (1994) as Drew. One reviewer praised his performance and called Tate a "promising" actor.^[15] However, in negative reviews Tate was seen as "overacting"^[16] and compared unfavorably toJim Carrey.^[17] In 1995, Tate portrayed Vietnam veteran Anthony Curtis in the Hughes brothers'Dead Presidents.^[18] A film reviewer stated Tate proved he could play sympathetic characters with his performance in the film.^[19]

He took on the role of love-stricken young poet Darius inLove Jones (1997).^[4] Critic Jay Carr found Tate "engaging" in the role.^[20] Tate also played Kenny inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the episode "That's No Lady, That's My Cousin",^[21] which was produced byQuincy Jones who Tate would later portray in the 2004 filmRay.^[22]

In 1997, Tate appeared as Ford Lincoln Mercury inThe Postman.^[23] He playedFrankie Lymon in the biopicWhy Do Fools Fall in Love (1998). One critic praised Tate's dancing prowess in the film.^[24] He was the lead character, Neville, in 2000'sLove Come Down.^[25]

Throughout the 2000s, Tate continued his film career. Tate portrayedVin Diesel's drug officer partner inA Man Apart (2003),^[26] with his other film work includingBiker Boyz (2003),^[27]Crash (2004),^[28] andWaist Deep (2006).^[29] Tate was featured inR&B singerAshanti's 2003 released music videoRain on Me, where he played the jealous, abusive spouse of Ashanti. The video touched on the subject of domestic abuse. In the video game187 Ride or Die, Tate voices the main character, Buck.

Tate portrayed Shooter Cooper inLove Monkey,^[30] which was cancelled after three episodes. He starred in seasons 4-7 ofFX'sRescue Me as Bart "Black Shawn" Johnston.^{[citation needed]} Tate appeared as Malcolm, the brother ofDon Cheadle's character, inHouse of Lies^[31] and guest starred on an episode ofThe Mindy Project.^[32] Tate starred as beta tester Max inBeta Test (2016)^[33] and appeared in the 2017 filmGirls Trip.^[34] Starting in 2017, Tate played Councilman Rashad Tate onPower,^[35] and continued portraying the character in sequel seriesPower Book II: Ghost.^[36]

• Larenz Tate onMenace II Society andHouse of Lies, fastlifeshow.com, December 2012; accessed September 18, 2015.
• Larenz Tate atIMDb