Dominic L. Santana was born in Fayetteville, NC to his parents Juan and Tracey Santana. His father was an Army officer plunging into what would be a long and successful military career. His mother was a talented singer quickly climbing the ranks with her highly praised band “Chocolate Buttermilk", whose hit “Can't Let Go”, made waves over seas still to this day. Sadly after several years of marriage Dominic's mother and father parted ways. His mother, determined to raise his brother (Juan Jr.) and him took on the challenge of single parenting. Coming to a cross roads with her career and role as a mother, Tracey decided to sacrifice her dream to raise her children as best she could. With his father's presence diminishing over the years, his mother struggled to keep the family's head above
water. It was in these trying times that Dominic began to develop his sense of imagination and explore his fascination with entertainment. Although money was tight over the years his mother amassed a movie collection of classics to modern ones. Which they would spend family time watching them. It was in those times Dominic learned to mimic the actors on screen, mentally cataloging
every expression and delivery from all the greats. Essentially training himself for his future career. After spending several years in Phoenix, Arizona his mother split from her second husband and returned with the family to Fayetteville, NC now with sister Chauncey Edmunds. There Dominic went enrolled at Westover Senior High School, where he took theater arts for the first time, thinking it would be an easy A. His teacher Mrs. Wade made sure that he earned it. She took a special interest in him and pushed him to be active in plays and events that they would perform. After butting heads several times, they made an agreement that if he fully participated and was open to learning that she would go a little easier on him. She taught him one of his strongest tools as an actor, improvisation. She made sure that he understood that he had what those in Hollywood call the “It” factor, that little something that makes an actor special and draws people to them. Growing as an actor, Dominic won the Best Actor award in his senior year. After graduating from Westover, Dominic's family once again migrated to another city. Once in Wilmington, NC and preparing for college, he learned Screen Gems film studio was in the same city. He began to inquire and search out information on the local film scene. His mother, now a developing screenwriter, invited him to attend a film symposium where they met film professionals like “Martin” producer Sam-Art Williams. It wasn't until they walked onto the set of the film “Black Knight” as extras, that Dominic realized that film and TV was real and attainable. Having gotten to speak to one of his favorite actors Martin Lawrence on set, he felt if he could be that close to Martin then he could also be the one in front of the camera. Finally, seeing a major actor in action live on set, Dominic took mental notes take after take learning. From that point he was bitten by the acting bug. After doing stints as an extra on shows and films, Dominic was called by longtime friend Micah Noble to come to Screen Gems Studio within twenty minutes to audition for the then new film company Swirl Films for their first production 20 Funerals. He won the role and was on set for the first time in front of the camera loving every minute of his small role. After delivering such a strong performance he was brought in for a lead role in the film “Dead Heist” in 2006. Then again opposite Tom Sizemore and Ja Rule in “Furnace” in 2007. After booking a role on CW's hit series “One Tree Hill” he was again brought in to co-star in what would be the cult hit and most played movie ever on BET, “Love For Sale” which premiered to over ten million viewers. Becoming a fan favorite, he went on to do more shows and films like Whitaker Bay, Palmetto Pointe, Little Britain USA, The Game, Bolden!, The Dempsey Sisters and more.
water. It was in these trying times that Dominic began to develop his sense of imagination and explore his fascination with entertainment. Although money was tight over the years his mother amassed a movie collection of classics to modern ones. Which they would spend family time watching them. It was in those times Dominic learned to mimic the actors on screen, mentally cataloging
every expression and delivery from all the greats. Essentially training himself for his future career. After spending several years in Phoenix, Arizona his mother split from her second husband and returned with the family to Fayetteville, NC now with sister Chauncey Edmunds. There Dominic went enrolled at Westover Senior High School, where he took theater arts for the first time, thinking it would be an easy A. His teacher Mrs. Wade made sure that he earned it. She took a special interest in him and pushed him to be active in plays and events that they would perform. After butting heads several times, they made an agreement that if he fully participated and was open to learning that she would go a little easier on him. She taught him one of his strongest tools as an actor, improvisation. She made sure that he understood that he had what those in Hollywood call the “It” factor, that little something that makes an actor special and draws people to them. Growing as an actor, Dominic won the Best Actor award in his senior year. After graduating from Westover, Dominic's family once again migrated to another city. Once in Wilmington, NC and preparing for college, he learned Screen Gems film studio was in the same city. He began to inquire and search out information on the local film scene. His mother, now a developing screenwriter, invited him to attend a film symposium where they met film professionals like “Martin” producer Sam-Art Williams. It wasn't until they walked onto the set of the film “Black Knight” as extras, that Dominic realized that film and TV was real and attainable. Having gotten to speak to one of his favorite actors Martin Lawrence on set, he felt if he could be that close to Martin then he could also be the one in front of the camera. Finally, seeing a major actor in action live on set, Dominic took mental notes take after take learning. From that point he was bitten by the acting bug. After doing stints as an extra on shows and films, Dominic was called by longtime friend Micah Noble to come to Screen Gems Studio within twenty minutes to audition for the then new film company Swirl Films for their first production 20 Funerals. He won the role and was on set for the first time in front of the camera loving every minute of his small role. After delivering such a strong performance he was brought in for a lead role in the film “Dead Heist” in 2006. Then again opposite Tom Sizemore and Ja Rule in “Furnace” in 2007. After booking a role on CW's hit series “One Tree Hill” he was again brought in to co-star in what would be the cult hit and most played movie ever on BET, “Love For Sale” which premiered to over ten million viewers. Becoming a fan favorite, he went on to do more shows and films like Whitaker Bay, Palmetto Pointe, Little Britain USA, The Game, Bolden!, The Dempsey Sisters and more.