Former ‘24’ President Dennis Haysbert On Inauguration: ‘It’s Like A New Birth For Everybody’

It was tears of joy for actor Dennis Haysbert, who watched the first African-American President being sworn in earlier today.

Access was on hand as Haysbert, who played the first president of color on a major television series – “24” – watched Obama’s Inauguration from the set of his current show, “The Unit.”

“It’s like a new birth for everybody,” Haysbert said.

“It was so real,” he added. “To see the President sworn in and the Chief Justice, and then watch them bobble that part, you know… That’s real life.”

Haysbert said Obama’s first address as President was particularly inspiring.

“I knew the speech was going to be great,” he said. “It’s just the whole energy of the day.”

Back in July, Haysbert told reporters his role as President David Palmer on “24” helped pave the way for Obama’s road to the White House.

“If anything, my portrayal of David Palmer, I think, may have helped open the eyes of the American people,” the actor said at the time.