Cheadle then played the role of Rocket in the 1988 movie "Colors". In 1989, he appeared in a video for Angela Winbush's No. 2 hit single "It's the Real Thing", performing dance moves in an orange jumpsuit, working at a car wash. In 1990, he appeared in an episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" titled "Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy", playing Will Smith's friend and Hilary's first love interest, Ice Tray. In 1992, he played a supporting role in "The Golden Girls" spin-off "The Golden Palace". Cheadle subsequently played district attorney John Littleton on three seasons of "Picket Fences".