Derrick L. McMillon's acting journey began when he was just 10 years old, starring in a 5th grade school play as Uncle Remus in Disney's "Songs of the South", captivating audiences with his rendition of the iconic song Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah. This early experience laid the foundation for his future success, as he would later reprise his connection with Disney in the blockbuster film "Mufasa: The Lion King" as the voice of Mosi, the banishment Baboon Leader.
Born and raised in Florida, Derrick grew up in a close-knit family with his father, a postman, his mother, a special education teacher, and his four sisters and one brother. After high school, he pursued higher education and football, earning his Associate Arts Degree from Seminole Community College and eventually walking onto the University of Central Florida's football team, where he played Cornerback and Free Safety for two years.
Derrick's early career was marked by a stint in Orlando, Florida, where he worked on a string of commercials and TV spots, showcasing his natural comedic timing and ability to make people laugh. A chance encounter with a friend's mom, who was acquainted with the Stunt Coordinator for the film "Rosewood", led to Derrick's breakout role in the big-budget film.
This experience not only opened doors to more opportunities but also instilled in Derrick a sense of confidence and validation, as he began to realize that Hollywood was indeed knocking on his door. With a growing portfolio of film and television credits, including appearances in "NCIS", "Young Sheldon", and "Justified", as well as collaborations with esteemed actors like Julie Roberts, William Shatner, Kathy Bates, and Kiefer Sutherland, Derrick solidified his status as a working actor in Los Angeles.
Despite exploring other aspects of the entertainment industry, including a brief stint as a stuntman, Derrick's true passion remained in voice acting. After working with director Barry Jenkins on a few projects, he was offered the role of Mosi in Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King", which marked a triumphant return to his voiceover roots. Through his extensive voice creation process, Derrick spent countless hours honing his vocal skills, working closely with Barry to craft original voices that would bring Mosi to life on the big screen.
