Dule Hill’s youthful energy and subtle wit helped establish him as a gifted supporting performer – even amidst the vaunted cast of “The West Wing” (NBC, 1999-2006) – and his Broadway-caliber tap-dancing skills effectively spoke for themselves in “Bring In Da’ Noise, Bring In Da’ Funk.” Once he had dutifully seen those projects through to the end, however, Hill earned the opportunity to come out of the shadows and use his star power to help carry USA’s “Psych” (2006- ).Karim Dule Hill (he stopped using his first name in his youth) was born May 3, 1974 in Orange, NJ; the second of two children. His Jamaican parents – investment banker Bert and teacher Jennifer – raised him and his brother Bert Jr. in nearby Sayreville. At just three years old, Hill’s parents enrolled him in dance classes. His acting career was a by-product of his extraordinary experience in dance – tap-dancing in particular. He was rewarded for his talents by landing understudy to the tap dance savant, Savion Glover, in the stage musical, “The Tap Dance Kid.” He subsequently took over the lead role in the show’s 16-month national tour. Before graduating from Sayreville War Memorial High School in 1993, Hill appeared in several other major musicals, including "Shenandoah," "Little Rascals" and "Black and Blue" as well as a few bit parts on film and TV – including the role of Wesley Snipes’ 17-year-old incarnation in the film, “Sugar Hill” (1994).
Although he moved on to South Orange’s Seton Hall University and pursued a degree in business finance, he continued to act – notably in national commercials and as a castmember of the critically acclaimed but extremely short-lived Saturday morning series, “CityKids” (ABC, 1993-94). During his junior year, he could not resist the opportunity to re-team with Savion Glover as a member of the original cast of the acclaimed Broadway production of “Bring in Da’ Noise, Bring in Da’ Funk.” He spent two-and-a-half years hoofing in the show, which brought with it, a smattering of television guest spots, including dance-centric episodes of “Cosby” (CBS, 1996-2000) in 1997 and “Smart Guy” (WB, 1997-99) in 1998.
After landing a brief role in the forgettable 1999 comedy, “She’s All That,” Hill landed the biggest break of his career up to that point. As Charlie Young, personal assistant to Martin Sheen’s President Josiah Bartlet on “The West Wing” (NBC, 1999-2006), Hill displayed an affinity for creator Aaron Sorkin’s particular brand of rapid-fire dialogue early on, often showcasing it in private moments – sometimes comedic; sometimes heartfelt – with Sheen, whose character treated Hill’s like an adopted son. So good was Hill in the role, that in he was nominated for a 2002 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama.
During his “West Wing” tenure, Hill appeared in several feature films, including “Men of Honor” (2000), “Holes” (2003) and the TV movie “10.5” (NBC, 2005). Also notable were David Mamet’s “Edmond” (2005) and the Kevin Costner/Ashton Kutcher U.S. Coast Guard vehicle, “The Guardian” (2006). He also participated in Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker Challenge” (2003-) during the second and seventh tables, earning seats at the championship table both times.
After putting in six seasons at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, he chose to leave the show at the beginning of the seventh season to star in a pilot for a new series on the USA Network, entitled “Psych.” (2006- ). Cast as the co-lead Burton “Gus” Guster, the show featured Hill and his faux-psychic partner Shawn Spencer (James Roday) as investigators who work with the police to solve crimes. The show was met with generally positive reviews early on and found its niche audience. In the meantime, when the announcement was made that “The West Wing” would end its run in May of 2006, the ever-loyal Hill returned for the show's final episodes to finish out Charlie Young’s storyline.
