More than 800 Black women — including Lashana Lynch and Sheila Atim — and non-binary actors signed an open letter in support of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who has been the target of online racial abuse following the announcement of her casting as Juliet in a London West End production of Romeo & Juliet. She is set to star alongside Tom Holland’s Romeo in the play.
The letter, which The Guardian published on Wednesday, was spearheaded by Enola Holmes actor Susan Wokoma and Crowning Glory playwright Somalia Nonyé Seaton. It begins: “When news of...
The letter, which The Guardian published on Wednesday, was spearheaded by Enola Holmes actor Susan Wokoma and Crowning Glory playwright Somalia Nonyé Seaton. It begins: “When news of...
- 4/10/2024
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Since cinema is more than a hundred years old today, there naturally have been changes in the trends and culture as well as the lives of films and film stars in the industry, the most revolutionary in modern times being none other than Robert Downey Jr. with his successful run of the MCU.
But even before his fame and popularity soared in the stratosphere with Marvel Studios, the star wasn’t afraid of taking big risks in hopes of huge returns on them.
Robert Downey Jr. in a still from Iron Man 2
One of the most iconic roles of his life also happened to be a high-risk one, where the star went blackface for his 2008 comedy film Tropic Thunder. While this decision was indeed controversial, actor Billy Dee Williams feels like anyone should be able to express their creative ideas on screen, referring to another star who wore blackface in the past.
But even before his fame and popularity soared in the stratosphere with Marvel Studios, the star wasn’t afraid of taking big risks in hopes of huge returns on them.
Robert Downey Jr. in a still from Iron Man 2
One of the most iconic roles of his life also happened to be a high-risk one, where the star went blackface for his 2008 comedy film Tropic Thunder. While this decision was indeed controversial, actor Billy Dee Williams feels like anyone should be able to express their creative ideas on screen, referring to another star who wore blackface in the past.
- 4/9/2024
- by Deepak Bisht
- FandomWire
Actor Billy Dee Williams has come out in support of performers wearing ‘blackface’, as he believes actors should be able to perform in blackface. In a new episode of Bill Maher’s ‘Club Random’ podcast, the ‘Star Wars’ actor recalled watching Laurence Olivier in 1965’s ‘Othello’, where Olivier wore blackface to portray the title role.
“When he did ‘Othello’, I fell out laughing,” Williams said.
“He stuck his a** out and walked around, you know, because Black people are supposed to have big a***s. I thought it was hysterical. I loved it,” Williams added, reports variety.com.
“I love that kind of stuff.”
The podcast host asked, “Today, they would never let you do that,” to which Williams replied, “Why?”
“Blackface?” Maher questioned in a tone of surprise.
The actor said: “Why not? You should do it. If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do.
“When he did ‘Othello’, I fell out laughing,” Williams said.
“He stuck his a** out and walked around, you know, because Black people are supposed to have big a***s. I thought it was hysterical. I loved it,” Williams added, reports variety.com.
“I love that kind of stuff.”
The podcast host asked, “Today, they would never let you do that,” to which Williams replied, “Why?”
“Blackface?” Maher questioned in a tone of surprise.
The actor said: “Why not? You should do it. If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do.
- 4/9/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Billy Dee Williams is defending actors who want to wear blackface in their performances.
The Star Wars actor appeared on Bill Maher’s podcast and recalled Laurence Olivier’s performance in 1965’s Othello, where the actor wore blackface.
“When he did ‘Othello,’ I fell out laughing,” Williams said of Olivier on the Club Random podcast. “He stuck his ass out and walked around with his ass, you know, because Black people are supposed to have big asses.”
He continued, “I thought it was hysterical. I loved it. I love that kind of stuff.”
Maher mentioned that actors could not wear Blackface today, to which Williams said, “Why not? You should do it. If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do.”
The podcast’s host noted that Williams “lived in a period where you couldn’t play the parts you should’ve played.”
“The point is...
The Star Wars actor appeared on Bill Maher’s podcast and recalled Laurence Olivier’s performance in 1965’s Othello, where the actor wore blackface.
“When he did ‘Othello,’ I fell out laughing,” Williams said of Olivier on the Club Random podcast. “He stuck his ass out and walked around with his ass, you know, because Black people are supposed to have big asses.”
He continued, “I thought it was hysterical. I loved it. I love that kind of stuff.”
Maher mentioned that actors could not wear Blackface today, to which Williams said, “Why not? You should do it. If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do.”
The podcast’s host noted that Williams “lived in a period where you couldn’t play the parts you should’ve played.”
“The point is...
- 4/9/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
During a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast “Club Random with Bill Maher,” actor Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) discussed the parameters placed on actors today when it comes to things like “blackface.”
Of course, by this point in the interview, they seem to have had a few drinks, so I’m not sure he would say this under other circumstances.
Here’s what Williams said:
Williams cited the performance of Lawrence Olivier’s performance of ‘Othello’ where we wore blackface and apparently pushed his butt out, saying, “When he did Othello, I fell out laughing. He stuck his a$$ out and walked around with his a$$ because Black people are supposed to have big a$$es…I thought it was hysterical. I loved it!”
Bill Maher pointed out that actors would not be allowed to do that today, and Williams said that they should be allowed to responding,...
Of course, by this point in the interview, they seem to have had a few drinks, so I’m not sure he would say this under other circumstances.
Here’s what Williams said:
Williams cited the performance of Lawrence Olivier’s performance of ‘Othello’ where we wore blackface and apparently pushed his butt out, saying, “When he did Othello, I fell out laughing. He stuck his a$$ out and walked around with his a$$ because Black people are supposed to have big a$$es…I thought it was hysterical. I loved it!”
Bill Maher pointed out that actors would not be allowed to do that today, and Williams said that they should be allowed to responding,...
- 4/8/2024
- by Kambrea Pratt
- Pirates & Princesses
“Slow Burn: Becoming Justice Thomas” took the honor for Podcast of the Year on Tuesday night at the fourth annual The Ambies awards recognizing excellence in audio.
The awards were handed out in 27 categories at a ceremony held Tuesday night at downtown Los Angeles’ J.W. Marriott LA Live Los Angeles and live streamed on The Podcast Academy’s YouTube channel. The ceremony was hosted by Trixie Mattel, Season 3 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Trixie Mattel.
“This is amazing,” said Joel Anderson, host of Slate’s most recent season of its “Slow Burn” podcast. “Becoming Clarence Thomas” follows the Supreme Court justice’s life story and his journey from youthful radical to conservative icon.
“Weight For It,” hosted by Ronald Young Jr., earned the most wins, with three Ambies including Best Indie Podcast, Best Indie Podcast Host/Hosts and Best Society and Culture Podcast.
“I can’t even lie — this feels good,...
The awards were handed out in 27 categories at a ceremony held Tuesday night at downtown Los Angeles’ J.W. Marriott LA Live Los Angeles and live streamed on The Podcast Academy’s YouTube channel. The ceremony was hosted by Trixie Mattel, Season 3 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” Trixie Mattel.
“This is amazing,” said Joel Anderson, host of Slate’s most recent season of its “Slow Burn” podcast. “Becoming Clarence Thomas” follows the Supreme Court justice’s life story and his journey from youthful radical to conservative icon.
“Weight For It,” hosted by Ronald Young Jr., earned the most wins, with three Ambies including Best Indie Podcast, Best Indie Podcast Host/Hosts and Best Society and Culture Podcast.
“I can’t even lie — this feels good,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal are all set to star in a new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello on Broadway. Kenny Leon, who won a Tony award for directing Washington in 2014’s A Raisin in the Sun will be directing the film.
Denzel Washington as Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling in Courage Under Fire
While, Washington will be playing the titular role in Othello, one of William Shakespeare’s great tragedies, Gyllenhaal will be seen as Iago, the story’s villain.
Suggested“It has more sense of humor”: Jake Gyllenhaal Reveals His Road House Remake is Wildly Different from Patrick Swayze – But Does That Make it Better?
The story follows Othello, ‘the Moor of Venice,” who is manipulated by Iago, Othello’s standard-bearer into believing his wife, Desdemona, is unfaithful, leading to tragic consequences for all three. Shakespeare’s Othello has been a great source for adaptation and it...
Denzel Washington as Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling in Courage Under Fire
While, Washington will be playing the titular role in Othello, one of William Shakespeare’s great tragedies, Gyllenhaal will be seen as Iago, the story’s villain.
Suggested“It has more sense of humor”: Jake Gyllenhaal Reveals His Road House Remake is Wildly Different from Patrick Swayze – But Does That Make it Better?
The story follows Othello, ‘the Moor of Venice,” who is manipulated by Iago, Othello’s standard-bearer into believing his wife, Desdemona, is unfaithful, leading to tragic consequences for all three. Shakespeare’s Othello has been a great source for adaptation and it...
- 3/20/2024
- by Prantik Prabal Roy
- FandomWire
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal will star in a 2025 Broadway revival of William Shakespeare’s Othello, producer Brian Anthony Moreland announced today.
The production, to be directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, will open in Spring 2025 at a Shubert Theatre to be announced.
Washington will portray the title character, while Gyllenhaal will play ‘Iago’.
Few other details were provided in Moreland’s brief announcement today.
Neither Washington nor Gyllenhaal are strangers to Broadway. Washington most recently starred in the 2018 revival of The Iceman Cometh (earning a Tony nomination), and starred as Walter Lee Younger in the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun. In 2010, he appeared in (and won a Tony for) Fences, and in 2005 he played Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar. His Broadway debut came in 1988 with Checkmates.
Gyllenhaal has performed on Broadway in Sea Wall/A Life in 2019, Sunday in the Park With George in 2017, and Constellations in...
The production, to be directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, will open in Spring 2025 at a Shubert Theatre to be announced.
Washington will portray the title character, while Gyllenhaal will play ‘Iago’.
Few other details were provided in Moreland’s brief announcement today.
Neither Washington nor Gyllenhaal are strangers to Broadway. Washington most recently starred in the 2018 revival of The Iceman Cometh (earning a Tony nomination), and starred as Walter Lee Younger in the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun. In 2010, he appeared in (and won a Tony for) Fences, and in 2005 he played Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar. His Broadway debut came in 1988 with Checkmates.
Gyllenhaal has performed on Broadway in Sea Wall/A Life in 2019, Sunday in the Park With George in 2017, and Constellations in...
- 3/6/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal are slated to star in Othello on Broadway in spring 2025.
The production, which will see Washington in the title role and Gyllenhaal as Iago, will be directed by Kenny Leon, who directed this season’s Purlie Victorious and previously directed Washington in A Raisin in the Sun and Fences, opposite Viola Davis.
In addition to those stage credits and a lengthy film career, Washington has previously starred on Broadway in Julius Cesar, Checkmates and most recently, the 2018 revival of Iceman Cometh, in a large cast which also included Austin Butler. His upcoming film credits include Gladiator 2.
Gyllenhaal has starred in three Broadway shows, including Sunday in the Park with George and most recently in the 2019 production of A Life, a one-person monologue, which was paired with Tom Sturridge in Sea Wall. His next movie, the action thriller Road House, is due to premiere at...
The production, which will see Washington in the title role and Gyllenhaal as Iago, will be directed by Kenny Leon, who directed this season’s Purlie Victorious and previously directed Washington in A Raisin in the Sun and Fences, opposite Viola Davis.
In addition to those stage credits and a lengthy film career, Washington has previously starred on Broadway in Julius Cesar, Checkmates and most recently, the 2018 revival of Iceman Cometh, in a large cast which also included Austin Butler. His upcoming film credits include Gladiator 2.
Gyllenhaal has starred in three Broadway shows, including Sunday in the Park with George and most recently in the 2019 production of A Life, a one-person monologue, which was paired with Tom Sturridge in Sea Wall. His next movie, the action thriller Road House, is due to premiere at...
- 3/6/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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