I first noticed him in 2001’s Traffic. He was one of the impassioned yet beat down law enforcement officers who kept fighting the drug war until the very end. His final scene in Traffic was brazen, and ended the film with the idea that there will always be someone fighting the drug war no matter how futile.

My reaction to his performance was simple, I said "who the hell is that?" He looked very familiar. I had seen him before.

He has a real presence on screen, but is not known for being a stunningly beautiful man. He has an affable but average face. He’s real. He has the face of any man - I could imagine selling office supplies at a conference had he not been gifted with the ability to act. 

Most people recognize his face, but not his name. He’s been in many big name films, he was on ER, and critically made a name for himself in Devil in a Blue Dress. It’s Don Cheadle. He’s a working actor, typically a supporting cast member in ensemble films. 

 Then in Hotel Rawanda, he was no longer in a supporting role. Cheadle was the lead. His performance was restrained and natural, showing a talent that brought a real face to a horrific true story. He embodied the character of  Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager who dutifully found his guests fresh fish and later gave shelter to the Tutsis during the Genocide perpetrated by the Hutu militants.

In one scene Cheadle explains to his family they should kill themselves before letting the Hutu slaughter them with machetes. He simultaneously conveyed panic and pragmatism. A hero without a weapon, Cheadle made the character of Rusesabagina a hero through countless acts of decency. It was a unforgettable performance and Cheadle received a well deserved a best actor Academy Award nomination for his work.

But it was just a nod in his general direction.  He has plenty of paycheck work. Despite his nomination Cheadle is still resoundingly a supporting actor without the genuine distinction or public recognition that his talents merit.