This movie definitely hits differently from when I saw it as a kid. The name of the supporting actor is Keith David, as you mentioned it's wild to see him so young. He was the narrator of the pillow fort war episode in Community.
I love John Carpenter movies. The man does horror and action so well. In fact Keith David is also in the John Carpenter horror film "The Thing." I'd also recommend his movies "Escape from New York", "In the Mouth of Madness" and a very fun and somewhat light hearted "Big Trouble in Little China"