Paul Bates

Biography

Paul Bates is an American actor. He has played minor roles in True Romance, The Preacher's Wife, Mr. Wonderful, 8 Mile, The Wayans Bros, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and Bad Teacher. He is known for playing Oha in the 1988 film Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy.

Career Overview

Paul Bates has 43 screen credits in a career dating back to 1983. Their work spans 3 cinematic universes — most prominently Coming to America with 2 titles. Signature works include Life Ain't Like the Movies, Somewhere, Tomorrow, 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

43

Birth Date

1958-12-24 00:00:00

Birth Place

New York, United States

Known For

• 

  Life Ain't Like the Movies
• 

  Somewhere, Tomorrow
• 

  The Preacher's Wife
• 

  Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence
• 

  Hesher
• March in Windy City

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 3 universes

• Coming to America (2 titles)
• Killer Tomatoes! Collection (1 titles)
• Showgirls Collection (1 titles)

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 (43 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
  • 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