Clinton Derricks-Carroll

Clinton Derricks-Carroll is an American actor and musician born on May 15, 1953, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He comes from a family with deep roots in music and performance: his mother was a pianist, and his father, Cleavant Derricks, Sr., was a Baptist preacher and composer known for the gospel hymn "Just a Little Talk with Jesus." His twin brother, Cleavant Derricks, is also an actor.

Derricks-Carroll's Broadway career spanned from 1975 to 1983 and included appearances in Your Arms Too Short to Box With God, I Have a Dream, Dreamgirls, and Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope. Beyond Broadway, he extended his stage work internationally, appearing in the London production of the musical Time in 1986, in the role of Captain Ebony.

His television work includes a starring role in the series Wally Brown in 1979, in which he played the title character, and a recurring role as Cliff Anderson in Sanford from 1980 to 1981. He made guest appearances on Hill Street Blues and Sliders, and on the latter series he portrayed the double of his brother's character across three episodes — "The King Is Back," "Greatfellas," and "The Prince of Slides" — a casting choice that eliminated the need for split-screen techniques. He also composed the music for the 1979 television movie When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate. His film credits include Introducing Dorothy Dandridge in 1999.

In 2005, Derricks-Carroll authored Buy Golly!: The History of the Golliwog, published by New Cavendish Books.