Dule Hill

Celebrity   , , , ,
Dule Hill

Name: Karim Dulé Hill

Introduction: Dulé Hill is an American actor and tap dancer. He is widely celebrated for his memorable roles as Charlie Young, the Presidential personal aide on the critically acclaimed drama “The West Wing,” and as the quick-witted pharmaceutical salesman-turned-private detective Burton “Gus” Guster on the popular comedy-drama “Psych.”

Date of birth: May 3, 1975

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)

Place of birth: Orange, New Jersey, U.S. (He was raised in Sayreville, New Jersey).

Family:

  • Parents’ names: Bert Hill (father, investment banker) and Jennifer Hill (mother, teacher/education consultant). Both are Jamaican immigrants.
  • Siblings: Bert Hill, Jr. (older brother).
  • Spouse:
    • Nicole Lyn (m. 2004; div. 2012), a Canadian actress.
    • Jazmyn Simon (m. 2018), an American actress. They announced their engagement in 2017.
  • Children: Levi Dulé Hill (adopted son, with Jazmyn Simon).
  • Relatives: His parents are Jamaican.

Profession: Actor, tap dancer, producer.

Nationality: American

Religion: Information not consistently available, though some sources suggest Christian faith.

College or university attended:

  • Sayreville War Memorial High School (graduated 1993)
  • Seton Hall University (studied business finance for two years, but did not complete a degree)
  • William Esper Studio (studied acting)
  • Marie Wildey School of Dance (began studying tap dance at age 3)

Biography and What Famous For:

Dulé Hill’s career in the performing arts began at a very young age, specifically with tap dancing. He started dancing at age three and by his early teens, he was already performing professionally. He made his Broadway debut as Savion Glover’s understudy in the musical “The Tap Dance Kid” and later took over the lead role for the national tour. He also starred in the hit Broadway production “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk.”

His breakthrough in television came when he was cast as Charlie Young in Aaron Sorkin’s critically acclaimed NBC drama “The West Wing” (1999-2006). As President Bartlet’s loyal personal aide, Hill’s character evolved over seven seasons, showcasing his dramatic range and ability to handle Sorkin’s fast-paced dialogue. For this role, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and won two Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the ensemble cast.

Following “The West Wing,” Hill starred in another highly successful and popular television series, “Psych” (2006-2014) on USA Network. He played Burton “Gus” Guster, the best friend and business partner to Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez), a fake psychic detective. The show was known for its witty banter, pop culture references, and strong comedic chemistry between Hill and Rodriguez. He reprised his role in three “Psych” television movies: “Psych: The Movie” (2017), “Psych 2: Lassie Come Home” (2020), and “Psych 3: This Is Gus” (2021). For his work on “Psych,” he earned several NAACP Image Award nominations.

Other notable roles include:

  • “Suits” (2017-2019): Alex Williams, a lawyer.
  • “The Wonder Years” (2021-2023): Bill Williams, the patriarch in the ABC reboot.
  • Film: “She’s All That” (1999), “The Guardian” (2006), “Whisper” (2007), “Sexual Life” (2004), and “Locked Down” (2021).

Dulé Hill is famous for his charismatic screen presence, his sharp comedic timing, and his impressive tap dancing skills, which he often incorporates into his performances. He has successfully navigated both dramatic and comedic roles, making him a versatile and enduring figure in Hollywood.

Have participated (Selected Filmography and Television):

Television:

  • CityKids (1993-1994)
  • The West Wing (1999–2006) – Charlie Young
  • Psych (2006–2014) – Burton “Gus” Guster
  • Psych: The Movie (2017)
  • Suits (2017-2019) – Alex Williams
  • Psych 2: Lassie Come Home (2020)
  • Psych 3: This Is Gus (2021)
  • The Wonder Years (2021-2023) – Bill Williams
  • Doubt (2017)
  • Ballers (2015-2016)

Film:

  • Sugar Hill (1993)
  • The Ditchdigger’s Daughters (1997)
  • She’s All That (1999) – Preston
  • The Guardian (2006)
  • Whisper (2007)
  • Sexual Life (2004)
  • Gayby (2012)
  • Sleight (2016)
  • Locked Down (2021)
  • Hypnotic (2021)
  • Night of the Animated Dead (2021) – Ben (voice)
  • The Express Way With Dulé Hill (2024) (Host)

Stage:

  • The Tap Dance Kid (Broadway debut, National Tour)
  • Black and Blue (Broadway)
  • Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk (Broadway)
  • Stick Fly (Broadway)
  • Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole (Geffen Playhouse)

Awards and Nominations:

  • Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (“The West Wing”)
  • Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (“The West Wing” – 2 wins)
  • Multiple NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (“Psych”)