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Leonard Clifton | |
|---|---|
| Born | California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Author, Screenwriter, Visionary |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Organization | One Universe Productions LLC |
| Known for | Amistad (1997); Bring It On (2000); The Last Prince of Atlantis Chronicles |
| Website | Official website |
Leonard Clifton is an American actor, author, and cultural preservationist. He is best known for his role in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama Amistad (1997) and his appearance in the cult-classic cheerleading comedy Bring It On (2000). Clifton is also the author of The Last Prince of Atlantis Chronicles, an Afrofuturism and fantasy adventure series featured in the Africana Studies curriculum at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Clifton studied Theatre Arts at Oxnard High School, where he portrayed leading roles in several school productions. He continued his performing-arts education at Moorpark College and Santa Barbara City College in California, studying acting and film. Clifton portrayed the lead role of Leroy in Buena High School’s musical production of Fame. |newspaper=Ventura County Star-Free Press |date=May 3, 1991 |access-date=November 5, 2025 }}</ref>
Career
[edit]Modeling and early work (1990–1996)
[edit]Clifton began his entertainment career as a model, appearing in fashion campaigns for designers including Karl Kani.[2] He also modeled for international brands such as Nestea (Israel) and appeared in both print and television advertising campaigns across the U.S. and abroad.
He was featured twice in Top Model magazine, appeared in a national Toyota Land Cruiser campaign produced by Saatchi & Saatchi, and made a guest appearance on the MTV dating show Singled Out, hosted by Jenny McCarthy. Clifton was also featured in Source magazine and various commercial photo shoots highlighting athletic and lifestyle modeling.
Music videos and short films (1995–1999)
[edit]Clifton appeared in several notable 1990s music videos, including Young MC’s On and Poppin and 2Pac: Temptations (1995).[3]
He later starred in the award-winning student film My Brother’s Keeper (1997) and the short horror film Y2K (1999), both earning recognition in the independent film circuit. Clifton also appeared in a United States Marine Corps PSA filmed at Camp Pendleton, encouraging recruits not to smoke.
Acting (1997–present)
[edit]Clifton gained national attention for his role as a rebellion soldier (Leroy) in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama Amistad (1997), starring Djimon Hounsou, Morgan Freeman, and Anthony Hopkins.[4] He later appeared in the teen comedy Bring It On (2000).[5]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Nestea (Israel) Commercial | Model | International advertisement |
| 1990s | Toyota Land Cruiser | Model | National Saatchi & Saatchi advertisement |
| 1990s | MTV’s Singled Out | Guest contestant | Television appearance with Jenny McCarthy |
| 1993 | Young MC: On and Poppin | Best friend | Music video |
| 1995 | 2Pac: Temptations | Poker player | Music video |
| 1997 | Amistad | Tecora ship scene with Djimond Honsou | Directed by Steven Spielberg |
| 1997 | My Brother’s Keeper | Lead role | Award-winning student film |
| 1999 | Y2K | Supporting role | Award-winning short horror film |
| 2000 | Bring It On | Costa Mesa Linebacker | Feature film |
| 2000 | United States Marine Corps PSA | Lead Marine soldier | Public Service Announcement filmed at Camp Pendleton |
Source: IMDb and verified production credits.
Author and cultural work
[edit]Clifton is the author of the fantasy-adventure series The Last Prince of Atlantis Chronicles, published under One Universe Productions LLC. The series blends mythology, Afrofuturism, and environmental consciousness to promote cross-cultural storytelling and youth empowerment.
His subsequent project, Eve The Soul Reaper, expands that universe with a Gothic-fantasy focus exploring ancestry, spirituality, and redemption. The story emphasizes female heroism and representation within the LGBTQ+ community while continuing the mythic legacy established in The Last Prince of Atlantis Chronicles. Drawing from diverse cultural and ancestral traditions, the narrative reflects Clifton’s interest in identity and transformation, extending his broader Atlantis mythology into a darker, more introspective journey between worlds.
The upcoming young adult novel follows Eve, a half-Reaper and half-Fairy, who must balance the realms of light and shadow as she claims her destiny within a new mythic world. The work reflects Clifton’s interest in mythic symbolism and multicultural narratives that inspire personal transformation, self-discovery, and awareness of the afterlife and spiritual heritage.
Public speaking and education
[edit]As a cultural preservationist, Clifton has lectured at institutions including California State University, Northridge, American Jewish University, and the UCLA Anderson School of Management. His lecture *“Amistad, Memory & the African Diaspora: Visual Narratives from Film to Public History”* has been featured in Africana Studies programs.[1] He also supports literacy and mentorship through the “Black Men Read” project at CSUN, the Golden Aya Foundation, and other educational partnerships.
Philanthropy and museum collections
[edit]Clifton has contributed to the preservation of African American cinema history by donating original Amistad production photographs by Andrew Cooper (bearing DreamWorks SKG markings) to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Margaret Herrick Library. His ongoing donations to the California African American Museum (CAAM) include props and archival materials from the production.[6]
Bibliography
[edit]- The Last Prince of Atlantis Chronicles (2018)
- Eve The Soul Reaper (forthcoming 2026)
- Leonard Clifton’s World Travel Guide for Inspirational Writing (in development)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "CSUN Africana Studies Course Integration". California State University, Northridge. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Karl Kani Official". Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "2Pac: Temptations (1995)". IMDb. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Amistad (1997)". IMDb. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Bring It On (2000)". IMDb. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "Academy Museum and CAAM Collections". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved November 5, 2025.