Below is a list of actors whose careers I emulate and admire. They are my influences
SIDNEY POITIER
Sidney is a true pioneer. He has won Oscars and gained respect of Hollywood when Black actors would not be given lead roles. I cannot say enough words about his Career aside from the fact that Black male actors owe their careers to this guy. He paved the way!
Sidney is a true pioneer. He has won Oscars and gained respect of Hollywood when Black actors would not be given lead roles. I cannot say enough words about his Career aside from the fact that Black male actors owe their careers to this guy. He paved the way!
LAURENCE FISHBURNE
I was 3 or 4 when I saw 'What's Love Got to Do with It for the first time. I was terrified of Ike Turner's character as a child, he was so vicious. I couldn't watch Laurence in any other films for a long time after that. It wasn’t until ‘The Matrix when I saw Laurence as Morpheus. I had a full grasp of how good of an actor he was and his immense understanding of characters. I knew from then on that I wanted to be as good an actor as he was!
PATRICK STEWART
Patrick is a Genius I saw him in Star Trek for the first time and then later in ‘X-Men’. I looked up his work and was able to see his work on tape with the Royal Shakespeare company as well. Patrick’s voice and demeanor on film is admirable. I think he is an excellent actor who I have grown to respect.
GARY OLDMAN
Aside from being a freakin’ awesome actor, he is truly a master of disguise. Every single part that he plays is a completely different person. The nuances in his performances make him that much more real. When I see a film with Gary Oldman, regardless of how famous he is …he truly disappears, I admire that.
Harry is another pioneer who I wasn’t going to place on this list but I had to think twice. If it weren’t for him I may not have opportunities as an actor. Not only is Harry a trailblazer but he was one of the first Black actors to have 'sex appeal' in his time. Women loved him and he was insanely talented as well. He showed that Black men Hollywood could captivate female audiences.
IAN MCKELLEN
Ian is a master at what HE does. He is a great Shakespearean actor who I respect. He plays characters with an epic strength and presence that I admire. I saw him for the first time in the first X-Men film and was blown away by how awesome Magneto was. Ian is truly an influence in my work as an artist. I recently was able to see some of his recorded work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and WOW is all I can say.
Aside from being a freakin’ awesome actor, he is truly a master of disguise. Every single part that he plays is a completely different person. The nuances in his performances make him that much more real. When I see a film with Gary Oldman, regardless of how famous he is …he truly disappears, I admire that.
HARRY BELAFONTE
Harry is another pioneer who I wasn’t going to place on this list but I had to think twice. If it weren’t for him I may not have opportunities as an actor. Not only is Harry a trailblazer but he was one of the first Black actors to have 'sex appeal' in his time. Women loved him and he was insanely talented as well. He showed that Black men Hollywood could captivate female audiences.
IAN MCKELLEN
Ian is a master at what HE does. He is a great Shakespearean actor who I respect. He plays characters with an epic strength and presence that I admire. I saw him for the first time in the first X-Men film and was blown away by how awesome Magneto was. Ian is truly an influence in my work as an artist. I recently was able to see some of his recorded work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and WOW is all I can say.
MORGAN FREEMAN
Like the men mentioned above and below Morgan portrays leaders. Leadership roles are what I think I do best and what I think Morgan has mastered. He has become the go-to guy for “God” roles and Voice-overs. Mr. Freeman has a calm leadership quality that shows on film and I admire that in his work.
Like the men mentioned above and below Morgan portrays leaders. Leadership roles are what I think I do best and what I think Morgan has mastered. He has become the go-to guy for “God” roles and Voice-overs. Mr. Freeman has a calm leadership quality that shows on film and I admire that in his work.
LIEV SCHRIEBER
This guy is a great actor, I saw him for the first time in (don’t laugh) the ‘Scream’ films. His character went from bit player, to one of the leads, to cameo within three films and I really understood and felt bad for his character of Cotton Weary the red herring who never caught a break. I was able to see his work in several other films and saw snippets of his work in stage plays. This guy is good! He has an understanding of characters and makes an unlikeable character likeable.
This guy is a great actor, I saw him for the first time in (don’t laugh) the ‘Scream’ films. His character went from bit player, to one of the leads, to cameo within three films and I really understood and felt bad for his character of Cotton Weary the red herring who never caught a break. I was able to see his work in several other films and saw snippets of his work in stage plays. This guy is good! He has an understanding of characters and makes an unlikeable character likeable.
DON CHEADLE
This guy moves so fast, it seems. He goes in and out of films and pops up all over the place. It seems like Don Cheadle is always working. His performances are golden whether it is a cheesy action flick like Iron Man or a heart wrenching Drama Like Hotel Rwanda. I actually played the same part he played in Topdog/Underdog. After playing the part of Booth I have so much respect for him
This guy moves so fast, it seems. He goes in and out of films and pops up all over the place. It seems like Don Cheadle is always working. His performances are golden whether it is a cheesy action flick like Iron Man or a heart wrenching Drama Like Hotel Rwanda. I actually played the same part he played in Topdog/Underdog. After playing the part of Booth I have so much respect for him
JAMES EARL JONES
The ultimate, his voice is something that I wish I had. He is an excellent actor, when he speaks…we listen. I admire how he captivates and leaves a lasting impression with his voice. A man who once stuttered constantly, now has one of the most expensive and commanding voices in show business. What is there not to admire about James and his work.
The ultimate, his voice is something that I wish I had. He is an excellent actor, when he speaks…we listen. I admire how he captivates and leaves a lasting impression with his voice. A man who once stuttered constantly, now has one of the most expensive and commanding voices in show business. What is there not to admire about James and his work.
WILL SMITH
He may not be a heavy contender on the stage but he can act on film. But not only has he grown and shown great strength as a performer but he has control over his career. His name brings box office bucks to the studios. He can support his family and guide his children under his wing and develop their careers. I admire how much control he has as an actor and producer in Hollywood. He is a genius in so many ways when it comes to the business. If he wasn’t a talented businessman then he wouldn’t be anywhere near where he is today!
He may not be a heavy contender on the stage but he can act on film. But not only has he grown and shown great strength as a performer but he has control over his career. His name brings box office bucks to the studios. He can support his family and guide his children under his wing and develop their careers. I admire how much control he has as an actor and producer in Hollywood. He is a genius in so many ways when it comes to the business. If he wasn’t a talented businessman then he wouldn’t be anywhere near where he is today!
HUGH JACKMAN
I want to be the black Hugh Jackman! This guy seems to be one of the coolest men on earth. I would love to meet him. He is insanely talented. He is a triple threat (Actor, Singer, Dancer). Like Ian, I saw him for the first time in ‘X-MEN’ as Wolverine. I saw how well he played the "tough guy" role and then went on and did a Broadway musical and sang and danced. I said to myself. “WTF?, is that Wolverine... dancing?” I knew right away that this guy was a true theater artist who could do it all and execute each part of his craft well. I admire Hugh for his Versatility.
I want to be the black Hugh Jackman! This guy seems to be one of the coolest men on earth. I would love to meet him. He is insanely talented. He is a triple threat (Actor, Singer, Dancer). Like Ian, I saw him for the first time in ‘X-MEN’ as Wolverine. I saw how well he played the "tough guy" role and then went on and did a Broadway musical and sang and danced. I said to myself. “WTF?, is that Wolverine... dancing?” I knew right away that this guy was a true theater artist who could do it all and execute each part of his craft well. I admire Hugh for his Versatility.
DENZEL WASHINGTON
He is someone who has taught me so much and I haven’t even met him. It was his interviews and body of work that showed me that an acting career is a marathon and not a sprint. Denzel has been around for so long and he had no need to rush, it just happened for him over time. He always stresses to do theatre first and not to run to Hollywood. He stresses that theater is our discipline and it is where our craft truly lives. The other actors on my list may know this and live by this but I have seen Denzel stress this! He has taught me lessons through his work.
He is someone who has taught me so much and I haven’t even met him. It was his interviews and body of work that showed me that an acting career is a marathon and not a sprint. Denzel has been around for so long and he had no need to rush, it just happened for him over time. He always stresses to do theatre first and not to run to Hollywood. He stresses that theater is our discipline and it is where our craft truly lives. The other actors on my list may know this and live by this but I have seen Denzel stress this! He has taught me lessons through his work.
-Sean Boyce Johnson
