Paul Bates

Characters played by Paul Bates

Oha — Coming to America (1988)

Wise royal advisor and elder in the Zamundan court.

Cheetah Bouncer — Showgirls (1995)

Security guard at Cheetah's Gentleman's Club.

Oha — Coming 2 America (2021)

Loyal servant and bodyguard to Prince Akeem.

Career Overview

Paul Bates has 44 screen credits in a career dating back to 1983. Their work spans 4 cinematic universes — most prominently Coming to America with 2 titles. Signature works include Life Ain't Like the Movies, The Survivor, The Preacher's Wife. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For: Acting
Gender: male
Known Credits: 44
Birth Date: 1958-12-24
Birth Place: New York, United States

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 4 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Cynda Williams (1 collaborations)
Wendell Kinney (1 collaborations)
Grace Aubry (1 collaborations)
Connor Kearns (1 collaborations)
Elizabeth Weber (1 collaborations)
William C. Ingram (1 collaborations)
Jhayla Mosley (1 collaborations)
Lee Parish Scott (1 collaborations)
Flash Gianni Rose (1 collaborations)
Shannon Carter (1 collaborations)

Credits

actors (44 credits)
- Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2026
- The Survivor
  Louis Barclay
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2022
- Life Ain't Like the Movies
  Pops
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- Coming 2 America
  Oha
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2021
- The Conners
  
  - O Sister, Where Art Thou? (2018) ... Officer Whitcomb actor actors
  
  2018
- Young Sheldon
  
  - Jiu-Jitsu, Bubble Wrap, and Yoo-hoo (2018) ... Luis actor actors
  
  2017
- Speechless
  
  - C-A-- CAMP (2017) ... Older Cop actor actors
  
  - P-I-PILOT (2016) ... Older Cop actor actors
  
  2016
- Lethal Weapon
  
  - There Goes the Neighborhood (2016) ... Art actor actors
  
  2016
- Bad Teacher
  School Superintendent
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2011
- Hesher
  Mr. Elsberry
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2010
- Modern Family
  
  - I Love a Parade (2018) ... Thomas actor actors
  
  2009
- The Middle
  
  - Not Your Brother's Drop Off (2015) ... Tow Truck Guy actor actors
  
  2009
- FlashForward
  
  - Revelation Zero (2) (2010) ... Phil actor actors
  
  2009
- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
  Nightclub Manager
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2007
- Break a Leg
  Loud Customer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2005
- Numb3rs
  
  - Harvest (2006) ... Morgue Attendant actor actors
  
  2005
- 8 Mile
  Manny
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2002
- Max & Ruby
  
  - Ruby's Backyard Camping Trip (2017) ... Dad actor actors
  
  - Community Garden (2017) ... Dad actor actors
  
  - Camper Max (2017) ... Dad actor actors
  
  - Ruby's Yard Sale (2017) ... Dad actor actors
  
  - Max and Ruby's Restaurant (2017) ... Dad actor actors
  
  2002
- Breathing Hard
  Ozzie
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  2001
- Instinct
  Bluto
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1999
- March in Windy City
  Det Joe Riggs
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1998
- Becker
  
  - Another Tricky Day (2002) ... Mr. Garland actor actors
  
  1998
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
  
  - The Weight of the World (2001) ... Crazie actor actors
  
  - Spiral (2001) ... Crazie actor actors
  
  - Blood Ties (2001) ... Crazie actor actors
  
  1997
- The Preacher's Wife
  Saul Jeffreys
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Soul of the Game
  Orderly #1
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Paper Dragons
  Sammy
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1996
- Showgirls
  Cheetah Bouncer
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1995
- The Wayans Bros.
  
  - The Poppa-Cabana (1995) ... Burl actor actors
  
  - Afro Cab (1995) ... The Customer actor actors
  
  1995
- Ellen
  
  - Ellen's Choice (1995) ... Kenny Burke actor actors
  
  - The Bridges of L.A. County (1995) ... Kenny Burke actor actors
  
  1994
- Mr. Wonderful
  Marlon
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1993
- True Romance
  Marty
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1993
- The Pickle
  Kareem
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1993
- Jennifer Eight
  Venables
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag
  Officer Finney
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1992
- Martin
  
  - The Life You Save...Might Make You Rich (1996) ... Chigbo actor actors
  
  1992
- The Super
  Storekeeper
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1991
- The Bonfire of the Vanities
  Buck
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Crazy People
  Robles
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1990
- Law & Order
  
  - Jurisdiction (1993) ... Ron Bergin actor actors
  
  1990
- Coming to America
  Oha
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1988
- Hannah and Her Sisters
  Theater Manager
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1986
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
  Flute
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1985
- Exterminator 2
  Guy #2
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1984
- Somewhere, Tomorrow
  Paul Bart
  
  actor
  
  actors
  
  1983