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Unemployed & Under-Employed: Actors We’d Love To See More Of

Monday Mar 23, 2009 – By Sky Obercam

Grauman's Chinese Theatre With a wealth of talented African American actors, and a handful of roles that are offered to the same set of top Black mega-stars, many our personal favorites are sorely underrepresented on both the small and big screens. Here’s a breakdown of some of our preferred performers that are all but absent from the spotlight.

Isaiah Washington: After getting axed by ABC from ‘Greys Anatomy‘, Isaiah Washington briefly graced us with his debonair charm in the short-lived Bionic Woman series. Washington has a couple of projects coming down the pipe, and we hope this is a trend that continues to grow.

Boris Kodjoe: Not only is this brotha eye candy, but he’s a helluva actor that could easily carry off almost any role.

Nicole Ari Parker: Kodjoe’s wife Nicole is also one we’d like to see more of. Her unique style and intensity is terribly under-utilized in Hollywood.

Hill Harper: We respect the fact that he’s selective in his choice of roles, and regret that there is a lack of parts that are fitting of this sexy intelligent brotha.

Sanaa Lathan: Sanaa may be one of the luckier ones on this list, but given her range, she should be doing movies left and right.

Larenz Tate: Whatever happened to Larenz? He’s one of Hollywood’s most dynamic artists. At the age of 33 we’d hate to think his career is fading out.

Tracee Ellis Ross: After the hit series “Girlfriends” was cancelled – without even so much as a finale episode, ‘Joan Clayton’ has been truly missed. Girlfriends was a wonderful opportunity for Tracee to spread her wings, but she has much more to offer other and e hope she gets the chance to prove it.

Reginald C. Hayes: “Honorary Girlfriend” William Dent, A.K.A. Reginald C. Hayes, is also sorely missed since the cancellation of this series. Hayes is one of those actors who effortlessly pulls off warmth, biting sarcasm, vulnerability and shrewdness. This is an underrated actor if there ever was one.

Monica Calhoun: Best known for her role as Mia Morgan in “The Best Man,” Monica is a perfect example of the inequality that plagues Hollywood – and the U.S. as a whole. Beautiful, dynamic and highly talented, it is an outrage at the weakness of her on screen presence.

The lack of parts for Black actors in Hollywood results in a sort of starvation, if you will, of not only authentic talent but relatable images for African American viewers. We can all say that we are fortunate enough to have lived to see a Black man become Commander in Chief. In time, we’re sure this unfortunate trend in entertainment will change as well.

By the way, here’s brief continuation of our beloved unemployed/under-employed list:

Nia Long
Malik Yoba
Duane Martin
Terri J. Vaughn
Lisa Bonet
Paula Patton
Regina Hall
Jill Marie Jones

Clutchettes and gentleman – as always please feel free to add on to the list!

Stacye says:

March 23, 2009 at 9:19 am

Too many singers are taking parts from actors. I.e., MJB playing the lead in Tyler Perry’s upcoming movie, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Seriously?? At least start her at a supporting role. Ah well…

↑ Reply

Glennisha Morgan says:

March 23, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Everybody seems to hate on Tyler Perry but, people need to take a few tips. Instead of waiting on folks to hand Black actors jobs how about creating our own. It’s time for us to get behind the camera then we’ll be in front more often!

Kevin Lockett says:

March 23, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Larez Tate is on Rescue Me with Dennis Leary. Last season his role wasn’t that big, but this season he hooks up with Leary’s daughter on the show so hopefully his screen time will increase, (Rescue Me comes back in April on FX)

Kevin Lockett

Jennifer says:

March 23, 2009 at 5:44 pm

A) I agree with Glennisha!

B) The fact that I’m thinking really hard to name other out of work actors goes to show that the above-mentioned list seems to represent Black Hollywood in it’s entirety. I know there are more out there, but it’s not easy to think of them.

kat kelly says:

March 23, 2009 at 7:09 pm

This is an interesting read. And, it revealed something to me. That black people should monitor the words that they speak. There is NOT a lack of parts for black actors. I repeat the IS NOT a lack of parts for black actors.
There is only a lack of white directors WILLING to put Black actors in parts period.

I feel very strongly about this, not because I am pro black, but because I am anti-brainwashing. That is what Hollywood wants people to believe. That there are not any roles written for a black person. That is ridiculous, a black actor can act in the same roles that Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and etc. can act in. The roles that George Cloney, Brad, & Tom act in are not so challenging that a black actor like Isaiah Washington can’t perform just as well or even better.

So please call it for what it is. There are roles always; the white directors do not believe that a black man has the same “star power.” However they never put them in roles to build star power. And, the reason why some people feel so strongly against Tyler Perry, is because they movies are “Black Movies.” With Stereo-typical roles, angry, big, loud, black women. Women becomes empowered after cheating man leaves, or wife, yes, white people go through this as well, however, they don’t have to make a movie about it, all these black movies have the same format. They do, and I feel that what we need are more creative black directors, that are willing to go outside the box of the typical black movies.

sara says:

March 23, 2009 at 9:26 pm

I agree with all the above. I am an executive for the #1 watched woman’s channel and they barely have ANY blacks in front of the camera and behind of the camera. Reasons are all about RATINGS! If a black actor i.e. Morris Chestnut can’t bring the numbers, he won’t be casted, but Taye Diggs will be casted (he’s a cross-over actor) and he can bring viewership. But if Vanessa Williams can bring the numbers, she’ll be casted, but Nia Long won’t, she’s not a cross-over actress.

Clearly I feel you all, and I so get it! Just so you all know, hollywood will support black directors/producers, but won’t fund the money unless you give them your SOUL and (we), (some of us) have our morals and values and won’t let that happen. Some actors have to wait until its the right time to make that move!

We all know when we watch TV/Film, we wonder..”now why did she/he do make movie”? Sometimes, we have to create a way out of no way.

But give props to Angela Bassett and her hubby Vance they are directing/producing a new movie adapted from a novel titled, “Erasure”, from their very own production company!

ceecee says:

March 24, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Sometimes I wonder how the cross-over actors/actresses made it over the hump. Taye Diggs for example, I remember constantly tried to get roles in night-time dramas on ABC and has now landed a recurring role in Private Practise. Kerry Washington usually plays the side-kick but she’s consistent with and Meagan Good is constantly in horror flicks.

So, what are these actors doing different that others aren’t? Just a thought…

March 24, 2009 at 12:12 pm

excuse my typos :)
Practice not Practise

Mona says:

March 24, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Whatever happend to the guy that played David Ruffin from the Temptations movie I haven’t seen him in years. He is such a good actor hopefully he will get back into the movies.

Danielle of Urban Glamour says:

March 24, 2009 at 8:01 pm

One of the main problems with not seeing many black actors is that not all of us support black movies. How many of us have friends who will go hit up the bootleg man instead of spending the $10 to support a black movie? I know I do, and no matter how many times I protest and promise to break their bootlegs, offer to pay for their movie ticket, they still run out and get them. *sigh*

Sara, that is the way to go. Your own production company. Really in all things having your own is not a bad idea. Especially when it comes to the Arts & Entertainment industries. That is the sure way to get your voice heaard. It is the longer route but well worth it in the end. It is just not well-known actors but some we never heard of that are constantly at auditions but never getting a break. I just refuse to believe that color is not one of the main reason, for many black actors getting slighted. However, black actors should be willing to sacrifice doing Stereo-typical roles, it is hard to do that but a necessary evil.

And, as a side note Will Smith is definitely changing the face of Hollywood

Joy Anderson says:

March 25, 2009 at 11:15 am

I love Private Practice and one of the major reasons is I’m just so happy and proud to see Taye Diggs and Audra McDonald in every episode! Their roles are equal to the other stars and they do such a fantastic job. The only thing I think we can do to support our actors, since most of us have nothing to do with making decisions in Hollywood, is to watch those shows that treat our actors well. Show support with ratings!! (And yes, suck it up and buy that movie ticket or rent that DVD)

Wayne says:

March 28, 2009 at 11:33 pm

We have a Black president who is quite progressive-minded. Through brilliant initiatives such as the one Quincy Jones is taking in lobbying for the creation of a Cabinet-level Secretary For The Arts and Culture, we can identify the platform upon which great revolutionary changes (such as expanding the Hollywood media power structure to include Black decision-makers)are founded. Right On Q! Dig that!