Common will star as the Bouncer on the upcoming holiday production of NBC's "The Wiz Live!"

An Academy Award-winning songwriter and musician, as well as an accomplished actor, Common continues to break down barriers with a multitude of diverse, critically acclaimed roles.

Common won the Oscar for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for writing "Glory" from the film "Selma," which centered on the civil rights marches that changed America. In addition, Common won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture and a Critics' Choice Award for Best Song. As an actor in the film, Common was honored with an NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.

Common wrapped production for the film "Being Charlie," directed by Rob Reiner, and recently joined the cast of the David Ayer-directed "Suicide Squad," Warner Bros.' all-star action movie featuring DC Entertainment super-villains.

Previous film projects include "Smokin' Aces," "American Gangster," "Wanted," "Terminator Salvation," "Date Night," "Just Wright," "The Odd Life of Timothy Green," "Luv" and "Now You See Me."

Common appeared on the small screen for four seasons of the AMC series "Hell on Wheels," playing the role of Elam, a freed slave who comes west in post-Civil War America, seeking work on the Transcontinental Railroad. In addition, he teamed up with Spike TV to host "Framework," the first-ever furniture design competition series.

Prior to acting, Common rose to prominence as one of hip-hop's most poetic and respected lyricists. He has recorded 10 studio albums and garnered multiple Grammy Awards. His most recent album, "Nobody's Smiling," debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, and his song "Blak Majik," featuring Jhené Aiko, was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

In 2004, he partnered with Kanye West to produce the album "Be," which went on to garner four Grammy Award nominations. Three years later, Common released his critically acclaimed seventh album "Finding Forever," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and went on to earn a Grammy. His eighth album, "Universal Mind Control," was released in 2008 and was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Rap Album.

Common joined forces with the rest of the G.O.O.D. Music crew in 2012 to release the highly anticipated "Cruel Summer" album. Additional artists on the disc include Kanye West, John Legend, Pusha T, Big Sean, 2 Chainz and Kid Cudi.

A children's book author, Common wrote "The Mirror and Me," which teaches lessons of life, the human spirit and human nature. His follow-up, "I Like You but I Love Me," was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

Common's memoir, "One Day It'll All Make Sense," made the New York Times best-seller list upon release in 2011. Every aspect of his life's journey was unveiled in this deeply personal account of who Common is and the people, faith and events that have shaped him.

He launched his own philanthropic effort, the Common Ground Foundation, whose mission is dedicated to the empowerment and development of disadvantaged youth in urban communities by mentoring in three areas: character development, creative expression and healthy living.