As Black History Month comes to a close, it only seems appropriate to spotlight a few of the more notable film and television performances where the actors are portraying notable real life African Americans. What do you know... entertainment and wisdom rolled into one!
So, in no particular order:
JAMIE FOXX as RAY CHARLES in RAY (2004)
Comedian Foxx turns serious and gives it his all as the legendary soul artist Ray Charles. The actor spent weeks studying Charles’ mannerisms so he could mimic all his moves. He donned eye prosthetics to capture the blind musician’s look, and they actually made him “blind;’ for up to 14 hours a day during production. And Foxx did all of the piano playing in the film himself. All which certainly paid off in an uncanny Oscar-worthy portrayal.
WILL SMITH as CHRIS GARDNER in THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (2006)
Chris Gardner may be the least known name on this list, but it’s hard not to be inspired by this touching story of the homeless single father trying to care for his son as he hustles to win a spot as a Dean Witter stockbroker. As Gardner, Will Smith (costarring with his real life son Jaden) is eternally optimistic and doggedly determined to do anything and everything it takes to make a better life for himself and his son. And that includes running up and down most of San Francisco. Watch it and tell me you’re not exhausted afterwards.
LYNN WHITFIELD as JOSEPHINE BAKER in THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY (1991)
A sexy, sophisticated songstress who set Paris on its ear during the Roaring Twenties with her erotic, scandalous nightclub performances and “barely there” costumes, Josephine Baker was the first African American superstar. All her sultry allure, as well as her fiery independence, is captured by Lynn Whitfield in her Emmy-winning performance that amply demonstrates why Baker was an icon of her generation.
DENZEL WASHINGTON as RUBIN “HURRICANE” CARTER in HURRICANE (1999)
Washington has done well playing memorable historical figures. He received his first Supporting Actor Oscar nomination in 1987 for portraying South African activist Steve Biko in Cry Freedom. His gripping realization of the title character in 1992’s Malcolm X earned him his first leading actor Academy nod. But it’s his gutsy turn as falsely-accused prizefighter Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, waging a 20-year battle from behind prison bars to overturn his murder conviction, that stands out among Washington’s impressive resume. It’s the one that should have won him an Oscar, instead of Training Day.
SIDNEY POITIER as THURGOOD MARSHALL in Separate But Equal (1991)
Poitier is an icon unto himself, so what a treat it is to see him portray the iconic Marshall in this dramatic television re-creation of the historic Brown v. the Board of Education civil rights case. The action may not be what you’d expect of a typical courtroom drama, but Poitier’s subtle, but powerful, performance, facing off against no less than Burt Lancaster as opposing lawyer John W. Davis, is a terrific testament as to why Marshall is so key to our country’s history.
HALLE BERRY as DOROTHY DANDRIDGE in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)
Best remembered for the films Porgy and Bess and Carmen Jones, the talented Dandridge also played a key role in breaking down the color barrier in America. Halle Berry embodies the singer with a noble courage, as the film highlights the conflicts of being a famous black woman in the segregated America of the 1940s and 50s.
VING RHAMES as DON KING in DON KING: ONLY IN AMERICA (1997)
Sure, we love him for the hair, but as any fight fan knows, Don King is much more than that. But don’t take our word for it. Just check out this TV film that lifts the lid on the man that brought us “The Rumble in the Jungle,” “The Thrilla in Manilla” -- and Mike Tyson. Ving Rhames’ amazing Golden Globe-winning performance captures every bit of King’s verbosity.
ANGELA BASSETT and LAURENCE FISHBURNE as IKE AND TINA TURNER in What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)
How best to describe this big screen re-creation of one of the 60s most electrifying musical acts? Explosive! Bassett is dynamite as Tina, giving it her all -- especially in the stage performances highlighted by... what else? -- “Proud Mary.” Fishburne is equally volatile as the destructive Ike, who becomes more abusive as his wife becomes more famous. Both performances were nominated for Academy Awards. Both deserved it as this duo is dangerous.
RICHARD PRYOR as WENDELL SCOTT in GREASED LIGHTING (1977)
Stock car racing is not an arena you associate with black America, but as this plucky little film shows, it does have a role in Black History month. Pryor plays it straighter than usual as the sport’s first African American champion, but his cocky demeanor and boundless enthusiasm suits Scott and his struggle well. This winning performance and the spirited racing sequences make this worth a spin.
and
EDDIE MURPHY as BUCKWHEAT
Otay, I digress. But how can you forget Murphy’s hilarious Saturday Night Live imitation of the Little Rascal who never met a tune he couldn’t mangle? Along with Gumby and Mr. Robinson, it established the young comedian of one of the funniest members of his generation and made the late night comedy show a “must see” for the first time since the original cast departed.
Got a favorite performance that fits the list? Well, entertain us with your favorite portrayal of a real life Black American.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
