Dwight Henry (actor)

Dwight Henry (born 1962) is an American actor, baker, and businessman. He is best known for his role as Wink, Hushpuppy's father, in the film Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012). Additionally, Henry is the founder of the Buttermilk Drop Bakery in New Orleans.

Dwight Henry
Henry in 2012
Born1962 (age 60–61)[1]
Nashville, Tennessee
Occupation(s)Actor, baker, businessman

Life and career

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Henry moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, when he was a young child. Having lived there through adulthood, he founded Henry's Bakery and Deli near his home in the historic Tremé neighborhood. The bakery was successful enough that Henry planned to open a second location of his store, until Hurricane Katrina changed his plans.

Though he had no professional training or experience as an actor, the filmmakers of Beasts of the Southern Wild cast him in the film, while allowing him to operate his bakery regularly during shooting.[2] Henry earned positive reviews for the film, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, but insists that his primary career is managing his bakery, now called the Buttermilk Drop Bakery. He agreed to open a second location of his store in Harlem in the near future.[3]

He continued his acting career and appeared in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave (2013).

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2012 Beasts of the Southern Wild Wink Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated - Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor
Nominated - Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance
Nominated - Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated - Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Performer
Nominated - NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated - Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated - Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Breakthrough Performance
2013 12 Years a Slave Uncle Abram
2015 Navy Seals vs. Zombies Armed civilian
2016 The Birth of a Nation Isaac Turner
2018 Warning Shot Jawari
2018 Boo! Memphis
2019 Easy Does It Chief Parker
2020 Curtis Curtis

References
  1. Daley, Ken (2014-11-20). "Actor-baker Dwight Henry surrenders to authorities on theft warrant, NOPD confirms". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  2. Persall, Steve (August 1, 2012). "New Orleans baker Dwight Henry sizzles in 'Beasts of Southern Wild' role". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  3. "Dwight Henry, 'Beasts of Southern Wild' actor, Opening Bakery in New York City". Huffington Post. January 8, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
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