Leon Dawes
writer / actor
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C.L. Dawes has always lived and breathed creativity. His journey began in Rochester, New York, where he attended the School Without Walls, a unique program designed for gifted students. Even then, his imagination was brimming with original heroes he had already conceptualized. At school, he wrote scripts, produced table reads, and began shaping the characters who would one day fill the universe of his stories.
Beyond the classroom, Dawes was already making his mark as a freelance artist. He helped others bring their own characters and ideas to life, while also contributing his designs to community organizations. He became especially active in the Title 1 Department of Education, creating characters for annual expos, and at the Freddie Thomas Center, another Rochester institution. His talent soon took him abroad to Novgorod, Russia, where he deepened his artistic studies before returning home to work at the prestigious Memorial Art Gallery as an art history and restoration specialist.
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His path led him next to the Rochester Museum of Art and Science Center, where he curated exhibits and shows. Alongside this work, he joined local writing groups and collaborated on exhibits at the Eisenhart Auditorium. It was clear that art, design, and storytelling were not just his passions; they were his calling. Eventually, Dawes set his sights on Los Angeles. There, he enrolled at the renowned Art Institutes International to study Graphic Design, Art, and Animation. This is where he began to fully realize his characters, turning them into professional model sheets and animations that could be pitched as films or series. After graduating, he worked freelance for industry professionals, providing graphic art and original characters, and continues to do so today. ​ But his creative pursuits did not stop at the drawing board. Dawes also stepped into acting and modeling. He appeared as a recurring character on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, acted in sci-fi films like Wasteland and Project Purgatory, and starred in the action feature Urgency. ​ More recently, he can be seen in shows such as Bad Advice, Wally Got Wasted, and The Trouble with Billy, starring Costas Mandylor and William McNamara. All are available on streaming platforms. His likeness has even been used in sports video games, including Oscar De La Hoya’s Knockout Kings 2 and Bounty Hunter. Now, Dawes is channeling his years of experience into the world of comics and conventions. He has launched his very first graphic novel series, introducing readers to a hero born from his own universe of characters. Alongside this milestone, he continues to pursue his passions in art, music, and writing, often collaborating with his family. His mother, a former singer with KC and the Sunshine Band, his godmother, the late R&B legend Betty Wright, and gospel artist Margaret Reynolds all share the same spirit of creativity that fuels his journey. Through every chapter of his life, from classrooms and museums to television screens and comic conventions, C.L. Dawes has remained true to his vision: to tell stories, design worlds, and bring heroes to life for audiences everywhere.​ ​