Many remember Pooch Hall from his character “Derwin Davis” from the hit BET show The Game and the Showtime original hit series, Ray Donavan. The young actor’s smile, just like his name “Pooch”, is lovable. But where did it come from?

The answer is the same answer for where he gets his inspiration, his drive and his energy from: Family.

“I’ve been Pooch since I was in my mom’s pooch,” Hall says. “My father is one of those guys who never gets anyone’s name right and so the next door neighbor was always calling me Pooky when I was in my mom’s stomach. So my dad started saying Poochy. So it’s actually Poochy, but I go by Pooch.”

Now 42-year-old Pooch is married to Linda Hall, a realtor in California and they have three kids, daughters Djanai and Djaedra, and son Djordan.

MUST READ: Jamie Foxx Says His Sister With Down’s Syndrome Is The Real Star

Pooch’s eldest daughter, Djanai, has the developmental disability, Cerebral Palsy,that results in her being unable to walk or talk on her own and suffers from constant seizures.

Cerebral palsy is due to abnormal brain development, often before birth.

The symptoms differ from patient to patient, but can include exaggerated reflexes, floppy or rigid limbs, and involuntary motions. These appear by early childhood. Long-term treatment includes physical and other therapies, drugs, and sometimes surgery.

Despite Djanai’s condition, it doesn’t stop her from changing the hearts and minds of others, including her dad.

“I try and keep my family life private. I don’t like to

Join the conversation and share this story