Kenny Chadway
Encyclopedia
Kenneth "Kenny" Chadway is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food
as Kenny Simmons, and was portrayed by Jeffrey D. Sams
. In the television series, the surname was changed to Chadway, the role was assumed by Rockmond Dunbar
.
, Kenny is the oldest of two sons born to Benjamin (Obba Babatundé
) and Vivian Chadway. When Kenny was still a child, his parents divorced. Since neither parent could afford to raise both sons alone, Kenny stayed with his father, while his younger brother Kelvin (Hill Harper
) was raised by his mother. In high school, Kenny was a standout football player. While dating Teri Joseph
(Vanessa L. Williams
, Nicole Ari Parker
), he was also secretly seeing her younger sister Maxine
(Vivica A. Fox
, Vanessa A. Williams
). Teri's discovery of the relationship led to years of friction between the two women. After Maxine became pregnant in high school with her oldest child Ahmad
(Brandon Hammond
, Aaron Meeks
), she and Kenny were married. Eventually, they had four additional children: Kelly (Taylor Love), Brooke, and a set of twins.
Early in their marriage, Kenny starting a towing company -- Chadway Towing -- while Maxine stayed at home to raise the children. Although Kenny was supportive of Maxine's unsuccessful campaign for alderman
, Kenny was often a borderline chauvanist, preferring that Maxine remain a stay-at-home mother and wife. Although Kenny and Maxine are generally regarded as having the most stable relationship in the Joseph family, things do not always run smoothly. At one point Kenny almost starts an extramarital relationship with his office manager Lila (Nicki Micheaux). When Maxine discovers this months later, the couple separates. However, they eventually reconcile.
While his wife's family is very close-knit, Kenny's relationship with his entire immediate family was strained. He considered his father to be undependable and felt his mother abandoned them. His distant relationship with his brother Kelvin was tested further when he learned that Kelvin was HIV-positive. As time passed, he was able to reconnect with all three of them.
Chadway Towing was very successful, and at one point Kenny was able to hire his brother-in-law Lem Van Adams
(Mekhi Phifer
, Darrin Dewitt Henson) as a driver, which served to strengthen the close friendship between the two men. Ultimately, Kenny sold the business to a larger regional towing company. He used the proceeds from the sale to open a classic car restoration business.
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
as Kenny Simmons, and was portrayed by Jeffrey D. Sams
Jeffrey D. Sams
Jeffrey D. Sams is an American actor known primarily for his television work.A native of Ohio, Sams has been a main cast member of several television series, few of which have made it past their first season...
. In the television series, the surname was changed to Chadway, the role was assumed by Rockmond Dunbar
Rockmond Dunbar
Rockmond Dunbar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny Chadway on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food, and as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the FOX television drama series Prison Break...
.
Character Background
A lifelong resident of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Kenny is the oldest of two sons born to Benjamin (Obba Babatundé
Obba Babatunde
Obba Babatundé is an American actor of stage and screen, known for his Emmy-nominated performance in the television movie Miss Evers' Boys, a NAACP Image Award-nominated performance in the TV movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, and a Tony Award-nominated role for his performance as C.C...
) and Vivian Chadway. When Kenny was still a child, his parents divorced. Since neither parent could afford to raise both sons alone, Kenny stayed with his father, while his younger brother Kelvin (Hill Harper
Hill Harper
Francis Harper , known professionally as Hill Harper, is an American film, television and stage actor, and author. An alumnus of Harvard Law School, he is best known for his portrayal of Dr...
) was raised by his mother. In high school, Kenny was a standout football player. While dating Teri Joseph
Teri Joseph
Teri Joseph Carter is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food, and was portrayed by Vanessa L. Williams...
(Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
, Nicole Ari Parker
Nicole Ari Parker
Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe , also known as Nikki Kodjoe, is an American actress and a former model. She is perhaps best known for her role as attorney Teri Joseph on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food and her role as Becky Barnett in Boogie Nights.-Early life:Parker was born in...
), he was also secretly seeing her younger sister Maxine
Maxine Chadway
Maxine Joseph Chadway is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food as Maxine Joseph Simmons, and was portrayed by Vivica A. Fox. In the television series, the surname was changed to Chadway, and the role was assumed...
(Vivica A. Fox
Vivica A. Fox
Vivica Anjanetta Fox is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for her roles in the films Independence Day, Set It Off, Soul Food, Why Do Fools Fall In Love,Kill Bill and Juwanna Mann....
, Vanessa A. Williams
Vanessa A. Williams
Vanessa A. Williams is an American actress who has appeared in several television series such as Melrose Place and the Showtime cable television series Soul Food. In 1996, she was featured in the television series Murder One...
). Teri's discovery of the relationship led to years of friction between the two women. After Maxine became pregnant in high school with her oldest child Ahmad
Ahmad Chadway
Ahmad Chadway is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. He first appeared as the narrator and central character of the 1997 film Soul Food. Originally, he was named Ahmad Simmons, and was portrayed by Brandon Hammond...
(Brandon Hammond
Brandon Hammond
Brandon Hammond is an American former child actor who appeared in a string of high profile projects in the 1990s.Hammond's first film role was in Menace II Society where he played the younger version of the main character Caine...
, Aaron Meeks
Aaron Meeks
Aaron Joseph Meeks is an NAACP Image Award-winning American actor. He is best known for his role as Ahmad Chadway on the Showtime television series Soul Food.-Series:...
), she and Kenny were married. Eventually, they had four additional children: Kelly (Taylor Love), Brooke, and a set of twins.
Early in their marriage, Kenny starting a towing company -- Chadway Towing -- while Maxine stayed at home to raise the children. Although Kenny was supportive of Maxine's unsuccessful campaign for alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
, Kenny was often a borderline chauvanist, preferring that Maxine remain a stay-at-home mother and wife. Although Kenny and Maxine are generally regarded as having the most stable relationship in the Joseph family, things do not always run smoothly. At one point Kenny almost starts an extramarital relationship with his office manager Lila (Nicki Micheaux). When Maxine discovers this months later, the couple separates. However, they eventually reconcile.
While his wife's family is very close-knit, Kenny's relationship with his entire immediate family was strained. He considered his father to be undependable and felt his mother abandoned them. His distant relationship with his brother Kelvin was tested further when he learned that Kelvin was HIV-positive. As time passed, he was able to reconnect with all three of them.
Chadway Towing was very successful, and at one point Kenny was able to hire his brother-in-law Lem Van Adams
Lem Van Adams
Lem Van Adams is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food as Lem Harris, and was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer...
(Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his multi-year role as Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama ER and his co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile...
, Darrin Dewitt Henson) as a driver, which served to strengthen the close friendship between the two men. Ultimately, Kenny sold the business to a larger regional towing company. He used the proceeds from the sale to open a classic car restoration business.