News Summary
Cleve DuBois, former self-styled vigilante known as the ‘Palmetto State Batman’, is pursuing acting in Myrtle Beach. After a troubled past filled with legal issues and homelessness, DuBois aims to reshape his identity and share his compelling life story with Hollywood. Adjusting his vigilante persona, he looks forward to a future in film and television, where he hopes to leave behind his troubled history.
Myrtle Beach – Cleve DuBois, a man with a tumultuous past marked by legal troubles and a self-styled vigilante persona, is making strides toward a career in acting. At over 50 years old, he shared his ambitions during a recent gathering at Chapin Park, expressing a desire to take on lead roles in film and television as what he describes as a “good looking bad guy.”
DuBois’s journey has not been easy; he has endured multiple prison sentences, experiences of violent beatings, and struggles with habitual drug use. Once known in Charleston, South Carolina, as the “Palmetto State Batman,” he engaged in vigilante activities, claiming to have intervened in over 1,000 criminal incidents. This crime-fighting endeavor commenced in the early 2000s when he transformed a 1978 Mercury Cougar into a Batmobile for his son and donned a customized Batsuit equipped with a Kevlar vest.
After facing significant hurdles, including homelessness for seven years and residing at the New Directions shelter in Myrtle Beach, DuBois recently moved to the area, where he has family connections in Aynor. His history of legal issues is notable, including a recent case in which he faced a maximum sentence of 30 years for drug charges, a situation that he claims was marked by police misconduct. The case was dismissed in August 2021, further underscoring his complicated legal history that includes a domestic violence incident in 2017 that resulted in two years of probation.
DuBois’s quest for acceptance and redemption has led him to market his life story, aiming to catch the attention of film and television studios. He is confident that his experiences, including his past as a member of a violent gang reputed for drug running, though he insists he was not involved in selling drugs, can provide a compelling narrative for a major production.
In an effort to revive his vigilante persona, DuBois is constructing a new car and updating his Batsuit to suit his current physique. While he acknowledges his physical limitations, he remains open to the idea of returning to vigilante activities if the need arises, despite city officials promoting that “two wrongs don’t make a right.” They discourage any self-appointed crime-fighting measures in the community.
DuBois is also a father to a young daughter and aspires to create a legacy that she can be proud of. His ambitions to change his name to “Batman” reflect his deep connection to this alter ego that once characterized his life and aspirations.
This latest chapter in DuBois’s life paints a picture of a man who is grappling with his past while striving for a brighter future in the spotlight of Hollywood. With hopes to redeem himself and reshape his identity, he seeks to leave behind a troubled history in favor of a promising acting career, where he could finally fulfill his dreams.
As he continues to navigate his way through recovery and ambition, those nearby watch to see if Cleve DuBois, once a self-appointed crime fighter, can transform his narrative from that of a vigilante to an acclaimed actor.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Redemption Story
- Wikipedia: Vigilante
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local News
- Google Search: Acting Career
- Wikipedia: Film Industry
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drug Abuse
- Post and Courier: Vigilante Activities
- Google News: Film Career Redemption
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
