Accomplished actor appeared in, among other things, Lincoln Heights, In Treatment, Crossing Gideon and good wife.
In addition, he also has an extensive theater background, which includes a role in August Wilson's Fences opposite Denzel Washington and Viola Davis revival.
We had a very frank discussion about the wrath of shows new "burden of representation" issue, his love for the stage and shouted "shit" in our community when we see it. It is definitely worth reading.
When I first heard this concept that I thought it would be interesting. Do not connect easily with this idea for Grimm?
I can not say that I immediately connected the whole idea. The reality is that I never watched Buffy and Angel, or the type of shows, so do not understand the world. So when I read the script, threw me a bit, but then helped me know that character was in the real world. Knowing that my character is actually a policeman was trying to figure out who it is and why. I know it remains rich and leave all other things mythical about David and Silas.
Partners to play in this?
Right. Hank Griffin together, played by David Giuntoli Nick Burkhardt
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For the time has expired, is, as you are now setting about it?
I am very excited. Creators, Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt were really in a real world that you believe in. We are handling the real world of fairy tales attached. These creatures are actually living among us, and they are in our world. So the idea is that these people, the beast that will truly change the mask. I took the idea that the person who has a sixth sense. So basically the type is Nick, what they want is to look at. He can see literally creature she is hiding.
Then of course you in good and evil. There are good and evil in us and among us. To make magical appearance and fit them in the real world.
Wow. I am delighted by it. This is definitely a different take.
Well, there is another allegory on this idea. If you add procedural elements, give him something with Nestle. We are not only says, "Once upon a time," said "Today this has happened."
I do my research, I noticed that you played high school football. How did you overcome it work?
I was an athlete all my life and had a kind of chorus / acting thing more credit page, have fun, just follow from it. To be honest, I was really looking for can get a scholarship to go to college, but was a point where football left a bad taste in my mouth. What I mean by that, I realized that athletes have always been used. Preference involved, as some players were left holding the bag for the other, the coaches and players how to handle. So I really knew from the start, the game was played, and decided to do something else. So instead of playing football in the last year, I have to play in the fall. We had joy we could have resulted, creating a wonderful character.
Finally, some friends of mine when I tried to figure out what to do with our lives, said: "Hey man, you should be an actor they do nothing." And I said, 'Hey, this is a good idea to know ". (Laughs) I wanted to do, the easiest route possible. So I was like "yeah, that's great," I will apply to a number of schools. And lo and behold, not knowing that the siblings. (Laughs) I shall, therefore, my mother was my support. She only said, ".. Listen, I'll help you do this, but you have until the end, you can not stop" So, that was business. I wanted to quit, but her voice was said, you can not. Four years later, you get a degree in theater and tells you: "What am I supposed to do"
At eighteen, I had not thought about tomorrow, if that makes any sense. So if you are now 22 and have a theater arts, the bone can not jack you in the real world, you just got to continue. I had to force all the work. Basically, I was in panic, rather than running free. I was so scared failure to be broken so scared, and not an opportunity that I put everything I had in acting.
You obviously a very extensive theater background. How has that helped your work? If most actors and actresses to follow?
The reality is, not everyone can do that. This is not for everyone. Stage is not a game, there is a high degree of difficulty. What I see a lot now, everyone is in love with the idea of being on stage, but not everyone is equipped with the tools to do so. It's like this whole thing and fame: "I want to be the next America Idol." People do not understand, you need not only talent, but a useful talent. Reifies talent, we believe it is real. Just because you can play the spoons on his knees - and you can select one of five that can do this - you will not make a million dollars. (Laughs)
Someone asked in an interview last week: "How about a little boy if he wants to do?" And the truth is, I would say we do not need you. Where to stick it on its axis, Damn Skippy you do not need you. The thing is, we have too many people now believe, that they can act. As we have too many people who have come to believe that she can sing.
I have this debate about the "burden of representation" from S & A. In choosing your roles, you feel about the line of the toes?
Absolutely, but not to a point where that bothered me. I grew up in Oakland and I live in the spirit of the panther, you know what I mean? I feel like I'm relatively confident and brother live in a conscious way. I feel like when you get everything you hire Russell. So yes, you need the line to represent me, I mean good toe. I'll be sure keep my nose clean, stay out of trouble, making sure I treat my woman with respect and when they see children in the street, I have a good word for them. You see what I mean? I represent on stage or screen with a high degree of intelligence, dignity and respect. If you do, I did my job, I can not go around punching the air and Dashiki.
I do not see me, be a spokesperson for black youth, because I like what I feel is superior moral character.
Do you have something that many actors and actresses have not in a position ever worked. What was your secret?
By the grace of God, first. When I was growing was young and even as a young adult, we had a very stormy ... a very visible, take peacocky behavior, because I know people I had was the best. And where I come from, we called a "show and prove." Squeaky wheel was anointed with oil. So when I came to college, I said, I am the best and I believed. Of course, you have to help that, apparently, have to do work. It should also blessed with a talent, and I also think they are.
It is a question difficult to quantify. Someone else would be the answer. I am not a "matinee-looking" kind of guy, as I said my dear friend, do not know. I think it is my deep level of passion for work, especially on stage. I think the passion you bring to work can sometimes none.
Would you say the stage is your preference?
Yes, definitely, especially if you play right. This is something that I realized that not a man for all seasons. I should play any role or any, but what I do, do. Stay in your lane, because if you stay in your lane, do not get too caught up speed! (Laughs)
What is your dream role or project?
There are so many. I would like to make a lot of class. I want to make this classic such as black, no one to be Post. I would like to make a raisin in the Sun again. Amir Baraka .... Attach the rear panel. And I would like to August Wilson. I love August Wilson. I like to tell old stories.
Then other things I want to do new songs. I want to embody new, up-and-wine writers or existing view us. I want my imprimatur on something such as James Earl Jones submitted, was Sidney Poitier and Marlon Brando.
You in this business a long time. From your perspective, what can I do to be present to improve the landscape black movies?
Frankly, I think we need to return to the root, which is to tell stories well. In many ways, I kind of lost art of storytelling. We have our stories in a way that can be said dynamic cultural, artistic dynamic and important ... conscious and yet a commodity. We are missing the original thoughts and ideas as a whole.
I know this is difficult because the landscape has changed and you do about money. Directors black, male or female, black history is not "something" more. We are in fashion at a certain level. In 90 years I was really running? Spike Lee was killing him, John Singleton came on, Hughes brothers ... each rolled and black was bad. It was cool to be black, and everyone worked. I think we need to work consciously and work together and make sure that we tell stories, to say something. Here it regardless of how much money you make a movie, people know if it's shit. One can say and do some crazy things, if you do a lot of money, but if you ask people, they will say, "Man, that was some bullshit, but can not be deep all the time." I'm not saying it's a matter of "deep", it is best to be just. If Spike had received was not so deep was very good.
I went in thinking just because it makes money, you fool. And we can not hesitate to say. "This is some shit" If you pay money for something you have every right to criticize it. I'm sick of us treating each with kid gloves. See, this is the real problem ... Dialogue can not be honest about what is right and what is not. Everyone wants to qualify things. Paid? Yes. Were good? No. So, then say it! This is not play school. If you do, the train is less crowded because people on the road to hell.
Do you think that is a double standard in our community, because it allows you to say things against the work of others?
There is a double standard and I can not support. For this reason, were not taken seriously because our standards are low. It certainly has to change.