Cornelius C. Carter, III (Neil) was born in Harlem, New York City. One of two children born to Cornelius C. Carter, Jr and Cecelia E.Carter (both who have passed). Neil was raised in the New York City housing projects of the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. He attended private school in Manhattan, The Rhodes School. Neil went on to attend Ohio University. Neil returned to New York after college and became a member of the New York City Police Department. Neil started as a uniform officer working on patrol. Neil worked his way up into plainclothes, and then into investigations. Neil established himself as a talented investigator. Neil was thus assigned to some high profile investigations and received many honors. Neil was promoted to the rank of Detective 1st Grade. Neil spent many years assigned to the elite Manhattan South Homicide Squad, of which many television shows and movies have been modeled after. Neil has been trained in Hostage Negotiation, Executive/Dignitary Protection, Ballistics, Forensics, Interview and Interrogation, Handwritting investigation, Sex Crime and Child abuse investigation, Basic and Advanced Site Security investigation, amongst other training. Neil then was chosen to represent the NYPD to be interviewed by Spike Lee and Denzel Washington as they prepared for the movie "Inside Man". Neil was one of four detectives chosen to participate in this meeting. After the meeting Spike Lee and Denzel Washington asked to confer with Neil further. Neil was then asked to participate in the making of "Inside Man". Denzel Washington chose to emulate Neil as "Det Keith Frazier" his character in "Inside Man".