Rockmond Dunbar

Rockmond Dunbar — Biography

Born in Oakland, California, Rockmond Dunbar attended Oakland Technical High School, spent a year at Morehouse College, and completed his education at the College of Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico; DNA analysis traces his ancestry largely to the Yoruba people of Nigeria. He first drew notice playing Baines on NBC's Earth 2 and Kenny Chadway on Showtime's Soul Food, but is best known for the role of inmate Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on Prison Break, which began in 2005 and returned for a fifth season. He went on to play Sheriff Eli Roosevelt on Sons of Anarchy, FBI Agent Dennis Abbott on The Mentalist, FBI Agent Abe Gaines on The Path, and, from 2018, Michael Grant on 9-1-1. He left 9-1-1 in 2021 after his request for a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate was denied, and sued the studio alleging discrimination; the case went to trial and, in October 2025, a jury ruled unanimously in the studio's favor. His film credits include Highland Park, Edge of Fear and Son Damla, and he has also worked as a producer and director. He was married to Ivy Holmes from 2003 to 2006 and later married Maya Gilbert.