grew up in the New York City borough of the Bronx. 

For veteran actor Charles Malik Whitfield, the journey is more important than the destination – and right now, Whitfield is on the ride of his life “Acting isn’t necessarily about who’s the best,” according to Whitfield, ”sometimes it’s about whose spirit is in the right place – spiritual warfare, if you will.” As Whitfield takes his career to the next level, he was given the opportunity to shadow the impeccable Jerry Levine at “NY CSI” and has been cleared to direct. 

Whitfield has starred in dozens of prime-time shows and feature films, including an international video game “Far Cry 3”. One of his proudest professional moments so far is his leading role in the Emmy-winning mini-series, “The Temptations.” Nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his portrayal of Otis Williams, Whitfield says people still applaud his performance, years later. “When I’m in England, Cuba, Morocco or South Africa, and people bring me a DVD to have signed, I’m blown away,” Whitfield reflects. “It’s affected so many wonderful people around the world. I never knew growing up that I would play a member of the Temptations, and I don’t believe the Temptations believed that their story would be important or poignant enough to be a told a few decades later.” 

Whitfield has had an expansive career in television, film and theater. His film credits include Behind Enemy Lines and Notorious. He also stars in We Belong Together, Three’s Complicated, Couples Night, and A Heart That Forgives. Whitfield starred and produced a faith-based movie Steps of Faith in which he won a Gold Remi Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Marshall Lee. Malik’s television credits include Last Call on Bounce TV in which he produced and starred in a full 13 episodic season. Whitfield also recurred on season 6 of the highly acclaimed FX show American Horror Story where he plays Angela Bassett’s husband. He’s also recurred on NBC’s Night Shift and the FOX hit show Empire. Malik never gets tired of exploring new avenues in his professional career and finds much joy mentoring and training fellow actors. He has a great perspective of gratitude when TV critics and international press recognize him from the highly controversial bi-racial Cheerios Commercial. To-date he loves sharing with his fans how thankful he is for his challenging series regular role of Lushion, in its 5th season If Loving You Is Wrong on OWN, as it’s such a positive/strong black male character. Malik currently recurs in the acclaimed NBC show Chicago Med as Ben Campbell. 

In addition to raising his children, Whitfield also finds time to teach an acting class, in an effort to help aspiring thespians develop their craft. He’s in pre-production on an autobiography of his professional and personal journey, which he intends to direct. “As a young kid coming up, I never really believed my voice or anything I had to say meant anything,” Whitfield reflects. “Through acting, I have an opportunity not only to say something, but to be a part of something, saying something. To be a part of that scenario, to have that kind of impact, is something rare and special.”