Robert X. Golphin
Robert X. Golphin (born Robert Bennett Xavier Golphin), is an American actor, writer/director, author, speaker and journalist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his role as Dunbar Reed in The Great Debaters.
Robert X. Golphin | |
|---|---|
 Robert at the 2008 Hollywood premiere of "Remember The Daze" | |
| Born | Robert X. Golphin |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Author, Journalist, Speaker |
| Known for | The Great Debaters |
| Website | www.RobertXGolphin.com |
Education
Golphin holds an MFA in screenwriting from Spalding University, a B.A. in theater and film (magna cum laude) from St. Augustine's University and a diploma in creative writing from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
Career
Golphin's film roles include Remember the Daze, "Rounding First", Punch Me, "The Underground Kings" and "Essential". His television and new media credits include the HBO series The Wire, the HBO miniseries John Adams (2008), and "The Counterparts". Among his theatrical credits are "The Storm: An Original Pop-Rock Musical" (2012), "Englewood Boys: A Play on Portraiture"(2015), and "Bessie Smith: Empress of the Blues" (2019).
In 2020, Golphin made his feature length directorial debut with "Freshman Friday", which was released on Amazon Prime Video. He has also written, produced, and/or directed several award-winning short films that have screened at national and international film festivals. During his final semester of undergraduate studies at St. Augustine's University, he directed and produced an authorized stage medley of Spike Lee's School Daze.
Golphin's journalism background includes a four-year stint as an on-air correspondent for Reelblack TV, and published credits in The Philadelphia Inquirer 'First Take' Newspaper, The Philadelphia Sunday Sun, SCOOP USA Newspaper, The Manning Times, The Campbell Times, and Teen People Magazine among others.
He is also the author of the novellas, "Cold Night In A Warm Season" (2021) and "Abandoning Adam: Confessions of an HBCU Scholar" (2006).
Filmography
Acting (Film & TV)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Simply Untitled | Roland | |
| 2004 | The Wire | Crackhead (uncredited) | Episode: Back Burners |
| 2005 | Rounding First | Quick Mart Clerk | |
| 2005 | Track Marks | Markee Percy | |
| 2006–09 | Reelblack TV | On Air Correspondent | Various episodes |
| 2007 | Remember the Daze | Boy 2 | Also known as "The Beautiful Ordinary" |
| 2007 | The Great Debaters | Dunbar Reed | |
| 2008 | John Adams | Male Slave | Episode: "Join or Die" |
| 2008 | Beautiful Man in the Buff | Devaun Cheri | Nominated-Best Actor In A Short, Downbeach Film Festival |
| 2011 | Un-Perfect | Douglas, Jr. | |
| 2011 | Punch Me | Son | Nominated-Best Actor In A Short, Atlantic City CineFest |
| 2014 | The Underground Kings | Javier | Pilot Episode |
| 2014 | The Counterparts | Series Regular | Web Series |
| 2017 | Right Song, Wrong C(h)ord | Jay | |
| 2019 | #ThatMoment | Series Regular | Web Series |
| 2019–present | RXG: Exclusives | Host | Web Series |
| 2020 | Essential | Shiloh Avery, Sr. | Best Actor win and nomination at film festivals |
| 2022 | How To Tie A Tie | Darnell | Best Supporting Actor win on the film festival circuit |
| 2023 | Exuvia | J.R. | (unreleased) |
| 2023 | The Good of Man | Rodney | |
| 2023 | American Zealot | Moroccan Gang Member (Announced) | (pre-production) |
Film/TV (Crew)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Stricken: Teens Face Aids | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 1999 | Lit | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2002 | Say Cheese, Elohim | Writer-Producer-Director | Experimental Film |
| 2002 | Hack | Production Assistant (Set) | CBS Television/Big Ticket Productions |
| 2004 | Simply Untitled | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2004 | Acrimony | Director of Photography | Feature/Also known as "Vengeance" |
| 2005 | Track Marks | Writer-Producer | Short Film |
| 2005 | Private Jet | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2005 | Tilted | Writer-Producer-Director | Student Film |
| 2005 | White Men Can't Rap | 2nd 2nd Assistant Director, Script Supervisor | Feature |
| 2008 | Beautiful Man in the Buff | Writer-Producer | Short Film |
| 2009 | The Bridge | Writer | Short Film |
| 2009 | Insecure | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2009 | Simply Untitled (Redux) | Writer-Director-Producer | Short Film |
| 2009 | Inside of Me | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2011 | Punch Me | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2011 | Romeo and His Juliet | Associate Producer, Script Supervisor | Short Film |
| 2011 | Un-Perfect | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2012 | I Am Man | Writer-Producer-Director | Short Film |
| 2012 | "Sabrina" - Calloway | 1st Assistant Director | Music Video |
| 2013 | Pretentious: Skylar Avielle | Writer/Executive Producer | New Media |
| 2013 | African Genesis: The Journey of The Songhai People | Cinematographer | Feature Length Documentary |
| 2014 | The Counterparts | Writer, director, Co-Executive Producer | Web Series |
| 2015 | Under the Thumb | Writer, Co-Director, Producer | Short |
| 2016-2018 | Talking With Janet | Director, executive producer | Talk Show - Hosted by Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Janet Conner-Knox (digital series) |
| 2017 | La Douleur Exquise | Consulting Producer | Short |
| 2019 | Voice of Majesty | Writer, director, producer | Episodic |
| 2019 | The Things We Go Through | Cinematographer | Short |
| 2019 | Making Movie Magic | Director, producer | Documentary (short) |
| 2019 | Making Movie Magic: Part Deux | Director, producer | Documentary (short) |
| 2019-Present | RXG: Exclusives | Director, executive producer | Talk Show (award-winning digital series) |
| 2019 | #ThatMoment | Director, executive producer | Digital Series |
| 2020 | Essential | Writer, director, producer | Short |
| 2020 | The New Virtual Normal | Writer, producer | Digital Series |
| 2020 | Freshman Friday | Director | Feature |
| 2021 | Back In The Flesh | Director, producer | Documentary (short) |
| 2022 | So Much Happy | Director, producer | Documentary (short) |
| 2023 | Still, And In The Moment | Director, Producer | Documentary (short) |
Theatre (Crew)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Sinners 7: Plane Ticket to Heaven | Writer-Producer-Director | Drama Ministry |
| 2000 | Sinners 7: Plane Ticket to Heaven | Writer-Producer-Director | Community Theatre |
| 2005 | My Breasts, My Hair | Writer-Producer-Director | One Act Play |
| 2006 | Spike Lee's School Daze | Director/Producer | An authorized stage medley |
| 2011 | Sinners 7: Plane Ticket to Heaven | Writer | Drama Ministry |
Books
- Golphin, Robert X. (2021). Cold Night in a Warm Season. Independent. ISBN 9798726551555.
- Golphin, Robert X. (2006). Abandoning Adam: Confessions of an HBCU Scholar. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4259-6025-4.
Awards
Acting
| Year | Presented by | Award | Category | Role | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Downbeach Film Festival | Best Actor | In A Short | "Devaun Cheri" in Beautiful Man in the Buff | Nominated |
| 2011 | Atlantic City CineFest | Best Actor | In A Short | "Son" in Punch Me | Nominated |
| 2020 | Top Indie Film Awards | Best Actor | In A Short | "Shiloh Avery, Sr." in "Essential" | Nominated |
| 2020 | Screen Power Film Festival | Best Actor | In A Short | "Shiloh Avery, Sr." in "Essential" | Won |
| 2021 | Foreman Empire Productions International Film Festival | Best Actor | "Shiloh Avery, Sr." in "Essential" | Won | |
| 2022 | Foreman Empire Productions TV & Movie Awards | Best TV Host | Host of "RXG Exclusives" | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Foreman Empire Productions TV & Movie Awards | Best Supporting Actor | "Darnell" in "How To Tie A Tie" | Won | |
| 2023 | East Coast Movie Awards | Best Actor In A Drama | "Shiloh Avery, Sr." in "Essential" | Won |
Filmmaking
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | AALHOF: African American Legends Hall of Fame | Legends of Tomorrow | Stricken: Teens Face Aids | Won |
| 1998 | NAACP: National Association for The Advancement of Colored People | Act-So Competition, Film, 2nd Place | Stricken: Teens Face Aids | Won |
| 1998 | BEBASHI: Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues | Ujimaa Award (now the "John Allen Blue Award") | Stricken: Teens Face Aids | Won |
| 1998 | Philadelphia Please Touch Museum For Kids | Great Friend To Kids | Stricken: Teens Face Aids, LIT | Won |
| 2003 | ABC Entertainment Television Group | New Talent Development Program Finalist ("Recognition of Creative Excellence" Recipient) | A screenplay | (Finalist) |
| 2007 | Irene I. Parisi, Set In Philadelphia Screenplay Competition | Best Young Screenwriter | A Feature Length Screenplay | (2nd Place) |
| 2008 | Irene I. Parisi, Set In Philadelphia Screenplay Competition | Best Young Screenwriter | A Feature Length Screenplay | (Finalist) |
| 2008 | Downbeach Film Festival, New Jersey | Best Short Film | Beautiful Man in the Buff | Nominated |
| 2009 | Philafilm: Philadelphia International Film Festival & Marketplace | Best Short Subject | Beautiful Man in the Buff | (Honorable Mention) |
| 2009 | Los Angeles Reel Film Festival | Best Narrative Short | Inside of Me | (Honorable Mention) |
| 2009 | Indie Short Film Competition | Narrative Short | Inside of Me | (Finalist) |
| 2009 | Trail Dance Film Festival | Golden Drover Award for Best Short Drama | Inside of Me | Nominated |
| 2010 | The Accolade Competition | Award of Merit-Short Film | Inside of Me | Won |
| 2010 | The Accolade Competition | Award of Merit-Direction | Inside of Me | Won |
| 2010 | WorldFest-Houston | Remi Bronze Award - Film and Video Productions (Women's Issues) | Inside of Me | Won |
| 2010 | Philafilm: Philadelphia International Film Festival & Marketplace | Best "Short Subject - Honorable Mention | Inside of Me | Won |
| 2010 | Atlantic City Cinefest (Sponsored by Downbeach Film Festival) | Best Local Short | Inside of Me | Won |
| 2011 | Black Maria Film + Video Festival | Jury's Citation - 2nd Prize | Punch Me | Won |
| 2011 | Love Unlimited Film Festival and Art Exhibition | Honorable Mention | Punch Me | Won |
| 2011 | Philafilm: Philadelphia International Film Festival & Market | Silver Award for Best Short Subject | Punch Me | Won |
| 2011 | Los Angeles Reel Film Festival | Best Narrative Short - Honorable Mention | Un-Perfect | Won |
| 2011 | FilmOut San Diego | Special Distinction (Best of LGBT Shorts) | Punch Me | |
| 2011 | QBC: Queer Black Cinema Festival | Best Narrative Short - Honorable Mention | Punch Me | Won |
| 2011 | Atlantic City CineFest | Best Drama, Short | Punch Me | Nominated |
| 2012 | Los Angeles Movie Awards | Honorable Mention, Narrative Short | Punch Me | Won |
| 2013 | Set In Philadelphia Screenplay Competition | Prime Time Award | Original Teen Drama Television Pilot | (Finalist) |
| 2013 | Set In Philadelphia Screenplay Competition | Prime Time Award | Original Television Crime Drama Pilot | (Finalist) |
| 2015 | Philafilm: Philadelphia International Film Festival | "Under the Thumb" | Leigh Whipper Gold Award for Best Short Subject | Won |
| 2019 | Philafilm: Philadelphia International Film Festival | "Voice of Majesty" | Leigh Whipper Gold Award for Best Short Subject | Won |
| 2020 | Top Indie Fiilm Awards | "Essential" | Best Director | Nominated |
| 2020 | Top Indie Fiilm Awards | "Essential" | Best Message | Nominated |
| 2020 | Flight Deck Film Festival | "Essential" | Best Director | Won |
| 2020 | Flight Deck Film Festival | "Voice of Majesty" | Best Filmmaker | Won |
| 2020 | Direct Monthly Online Film Festival | "Essential" | Best Film of the Month | Won |
| 2020 | UK Seasonal Short Film Festival | "Essential" | Best Film of the Month | (Honorable Mention) |
| 2020 | ShortedFilms.com | "Essential" | Short of the Day | Nominated |
References
1. Philadelphia Tribune 2.Philadelphia Tribune (Metro Edition) 3. 4.Philadelphia Tribune's "Entertainment Now" 5.Variety 6.Scoop USA Newspaper 7.Philly AD Club 8.Movie Bytes 9."Rounding First" official website 10.Entertainment Now:Philadelphia Tribune 11. Robert X. Golphin ("Punch Me") Featured In The HBCU Digest 12. Atlantic City CineFest List Of Nominations for 2011 13. Blog Talk Radio Interview With Robert X. Golphin on The Joy Keys Morning Show 14. Blog Talk Radio Interview with Robert X. Golphin on Solutions Radio with S. Denice Newton 15. Blog Talk Radio Interview with Robert X. Golphin on AfterThoughts Radio with S. Denice Newton 16. Blog Talk Radio Interview with Robert X. Golphin on Urban Film Radio 17. Philadelphia Tribune Feature Story About Robert X. Golphin and "Punch Me" 18. List of Competition Finalist Screenplays 19. Indiewire/Shadow & Act 20. "J Blair Presents" Radio Show Interview w/ Robert X. Golphin (2013) 21. Reelblack Presents Monthly Showcase Sneak Preview of "The Counterparts" 22. NBA All Star Executive Produces Gritty Police Drama The Underground Kings 23. Gritty Police Drama The Underground Kings Slated To Premiere in January