Born De’Aundre Bonds aka De’Aundre in arguably the most gang infested and crime ridden city in America South Central Los Angeles served as the rearing site for the oldest of six siblings who sold candy and pumped gas to avoid a life of crime. While raised in the birth place of the notorious Crips and Bloods street gangs De’Aundre never joined or had interest in the gang culture that’s been synonymous with South Central for nearly a half century. Although, growing up in a community that was the epitome of urban decay De’Aundre also had to contend with being the son of an alcoholic father and drug addict mother which fueled his drive to be an actor.
Daydreaming often about being on TV and starring in movies even though he didn’t have a plan to achieve his lofty aspirations is why at age 13 he started telling anyone that would listen that one day he was going to be a famous film star. In a scene straight from a Hollywood fairytale De’Aundre was discovered at age sixteen by famed talent agent Mimi Meyer and shortly thereafter landed the first acting job he ever auditioned for in the project “South of Sunset” starring comedian Aries Spears. In a career destined for uncharted levels of greatness De’Aundre would go on to star in countless top rated television shows such as: “Diagnosis Murder”, NYPD Blue, “The Burning Zone”, “High Incident”, “Chicago Hope”, “Picket Fences”, 413 Hope St., and “Touched By an Angel”. While lighting up the big screen in a bevy of blockbusters and cult classics to include but not limited to: “Sunset Park”, “Get on the Bus”, “Ill Gotten Gains”, “Lockdown”, “3 Strikes”, “Tales from the Hood” and the ever popular “The Wood”.
Sadly, a career that seemed as if it couldn’t get any more promising went painfully wrong when in 2001 De’Aundre was charged and convicted of manslaughter and later sentenced to 11 years at Ironwood State prison. Serving 9 years and 7 months of a scheduled 11 year sentence provided De’Aundre ample time to reflect over past negative choices he made in his life that ultimately put a stop to his brilliant career. Using his incarceration time wisely he adopted a positive new mindset that included years of anger management treatment and sobriety from drinking to become the steadfast role model he is today for millions of young men facing or who have overcome similar circumstances. Regularly advising teens nationwide on the grave dangers of impulsive and bad decision making is the life of a noble soul bent on writing the wrongs of the world. Busier than ever working on a book and reality documentary on his life entitled “Real Life” and sorting through dozens of film &TV script offers is proof that perseverance, hard work, undeniable talent, and a strong belief in God equals… De’Aundre.