- Was convicted of manslaughter and served a seven-year sentence. Shortly after his release, he was convicted of possession of a deadly weapon and served a three-year sentence. While in prison he assaulted a corrections officer and was sentenced to an additional 7-1/2 years in prison. While serving his sentence he read a play that amused him so much he started a theatre group. To start the group he had to be attending school, and he had dropped out of school in the seventh grade. He not only took classes to finish his elementary school education, but by the time he finished his sentence he had a two-year college degree.
- Elements of his real life experiences with incarceration were in Alien 3 (1992).
- Attended Yale Drama School.
- Lives on a farm in Howard County, Maryland.
- His nickname "Roc" came from being involved in rock throwing fights when he was a kid. He was originally nicknamed "Rockhead" which was eventually shortened to "Roc".
- Was considered for the role of Carl Winslow on Family Matters (1989).
- He was nominated for a 1990 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Actor in a Play for "The Piano Lesson" on Broadway in New York City.
- Attended Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland.
- He was awarded the 1990 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Lead Performance for the play, "The Piano Lesson," in Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre production at the James A. Doolittle Theatre (University of California) in Los Angeles, California.
- The role of Cosmo Jackson in Hero Wanted (2008) was originally written with Dutton in mind. The role later went to Ben Cross.
- He was awarded the 1990 Drama-Logue Award for Best Performance for "The Piano Lesson" in Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre production at the James A. Doolittle Theatre (University of California) in Los Angeles, California.
- Was cast in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) as a detective, but as script changes rolled in, the role was cut.
- David Wayne who portrayed Dr. Charles Dutton in the movie The Andromeda Strain (1971) has the same birthday (January 30th) as the actor Charles S. Dutton.
- Born on exactly the same date as rock impresario Phil Collins (of Genesis fame).
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