Derek Luke (born April 24, 1974) is an American actor. He won the Independent Spirit Award for his big-screen debut performance in the 2002 film Antwone Fisher, directed and produced by Denzel Washington.
Luke was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of Marjorie Dixon, a pianist, and Maurice Luke, who is a native of Georgetown, Guyana and a former actor. He has two brothers, Daniel and Maurice, and is a graduate of Linden High School in Linden, New Jersey. He throws right-handed, but writes left-handed. Luke was discovered while working at the Studio Emporium gift shop on the Sony studio lot and given the Fisher role, a story which is still repeated on the Sony studio tour.
Luke married singer-actor Sophia Adella Hernandez in 1998.
Luke will also play Sean 'Diddy' Combs alongside Jamal 'Gravy' Woolard as The Notorious B.I.G., Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur in the 2009 film Notorious.
Brought his wife, Sophia, on stage when he won the Independent Spirit Award for best actor ("Antwone Fisher") and handed her his award. He also revealed on stage that four years ago, he was waiting tables at the 1999 Spirit Awards.
Luke and his wife Sophia are expecting their first baby in March 2007.
