Dwayne Barnes is a successful Hollywood actor, storyteller, and author from Detroit, Michigan. With a career that spans across film, television, and commercials, he is best known for his portrayal of the iconic character of the crack-addicted man in the cult classic film Menace II Society. His role in the film left a lasting impact, earning him recognition from audiences and cementing his place in Hollywood history.
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Dwayne Barnes, professional writing include three featured guest columns in the prestigious entertainment magazine "Deadline" (links in presskit) and is the author of two deeply personal and transformative books: - "Their Eyes Were Never On Me: One Man’s Painful Journey With 'Self' Addiction", a raw and candid exploration of his struggles with addiction, self-worth, and the search for healing. - "Authenticity Over Approval", which offers a powerful message on living an authentic life, overcoming societal pressures, and finding the courage to embrace your true self.
Dwayne's journey to success has been anything but conventional. Raised in the heart of Detroit, he faced numerous challenges and overcame personal obstacles that led him to a thriving career in Hollywood. As an actor, he has co-starred in films like Big George Foreman and appeared in numerous TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS: LA. Beyond his acting career, he is a passionate advocate for mental health and sobriety, using his platform to inspire others to overcome their struggles.
Now, through his books, Dwayne Barnes continues to inspire others by sharing his deeply personal story, lessons learned, and the importance of embracing one's authentic self. Whether through his work in entertainment or his writing, he encourages others to choose authenticity over approval, and to live a life of courage, resilience, and self-love.
When he’s not on set or writing, Dwayne is dedicated to giving back to communities in need, especially those facing mental health challenges, addiction recovery, and social adversity.
Dwayne Barnes is a successful Hollywood actor, storyteller, and author from Detroit, Michigan. With a career that spans across film, television, and commercials, he is best known for his portrayal of the iconic character of the crack-addicted man in the cult classic film Menace II Society. His role in the film left a lasting impact, earning him recognition from audiences and cementing his place in Hollywood history.
“Their Eyes Were Never On Me: One Man’s Painful Journey with “Self” Addiction is a raw and deeply personal memoir that takes readers on a transformative journey through one man’s battle with self-obsession and the search for true healing.
In this honest and powerful account, the author opens up about his years of emotional pain, self-destructive...
In a world that constantly pressures us to conform, it’s easy to lose sight of who we really are. ”The Authenticity Over Approval Method: 10 Ways to Embrace Your True God Given Essence” offers a revolutionary approach to reclaiming your true self, regardless of the expectations placed on you by others.
I’m beyond thrilled to announce that I’ve been selected to write for Deadline Magazine, one of the most influential and prestigious entertainment news outlets in the industry....
Welcome to our exclusive collection of mindful merchandise, lovingly designed to inspire self-love, healing, and empowerment. Every item here has been thoughtfully created to...
Life is a balance of depth and lightness, highs and lows, challenges and joys. To live fully and authentically, we must embrace it all. Today, let’s focus on the lighter side of life—those moments that remind us why we’re here.
We all have a unique and divine mission, even if we don’t fully understand it yet. The key is discovering our purpose and aligning with it in the most authentic way possible. I recently reflected on this question:
"Dwayne is scared of women," my new-ish close male friend said as he and I stood in a club surrounded by beautiful black women and gentlemen who were trying to become their suitors.
When he said it, I was stunned. I was outed. He knew something that I had never uttered to anyone but that I knew to be a hidden truth.
How did he know?
What did I do to show him that?
It was fear. It was palpable whenever I was around women in a club setting where there was pressure to connect with...
This recent action figure reveal brought up some things. And I had some time, so wanted to share some truthful thoughts:
Looking back, I still remember how the directors told me, “No one wanted to play that role. You came in and blew us away.” The directors were from Detroit. I was from Detroit. We got it. We understood.
I never doubted playing that role. I never doubted saying those lines. It was something that just made sense to me.
It’s interesting how most of our perspectives on life come...
Be the first to hear about new events and exclusive content.
Contact
Get in Touch!
I’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about my books, upcoming projects, speaking engagements, or just want to connect, feel free to reach out.
Your thoughts, feedback, and support mean the world to me. I’m always open to new opportunities for collaboration, inspiration, and growth. So, holler at me.
Let's stay connected. I have so much more to offer.
