ACTOR: Keith Hamilton Cobb

 

So far I have not heard from any men on the subject of dreads, so let me introduce you to a guy with dreads.

Keith Hamilton Cobb (born 28 January 1962) is an American actor, best known for his roles as the ruthless Nietzschean mercenary Tyr Anasazi in the science-fiction series Andromeda from 2000 to 2002, and as Noah Keefer on All My Children from 1994 to 1996. He also appeared in two episodes of the Beastmaster television series in 1999.

Cobb was born in North Tarrytown, New York; he graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1987. A classically trained actor, he appeared in a number of Shakespeare productions in the New York area before breaking into television in the mid 1990s. One of his first movies was the 1995 Daniel Robert Cohn film Eyes Beyond Seeing in which he plays a mental patient who claims to be Jesus Christ.

The character he played briefly in Beastmaster is very similar to his Tyr Anasazi character in the Andromeda television series. Cobb is a very muscular and fearsome looking actor who appears to fit the warrior's role, but has never played the "big dumb guy;" rather his characters are best described as thoughtful philosophical warriors.

In 1996, Cobb was named on People magazine's annual "50 most beautiful people" list

He left the Andromeda TV series after its third season, citing dissatisfaction over the development of his character, Tyr Anasazi.

In an interview given in the book "Dreads" page 48, Keith states that in the 60's men wore short hair cuts and in the 70's afros were in style. But he believes his locks are a part of his essence. He acknowledges some groups consider dreads as a statement against vanity, his are an outward manisfestation of who he is:

"I think dreads, when worn with pride, give a man a regal bearing. The image is a powerful one, like that of a lion and his mane."

When Keith's hair was short and kinky, he couldn't get a job, casters didn't know what to do with him, after locking his hair, the perception of him changed as far as how to cast him. With dreads, he better fit the image of a BLACK MAN. His look became less ethnic and more exotic.