Gerald Ramsey Talks About Playing 'Mufasa' In 'The Lion King'

Gerald Ramsey

By Darlene Donloe 

Talking to Gerald Ramsey is like talking to an old friend. 

The hunky actor has a soothing voice and a calming personality that lends itself to a friendly conversation.

I recently caught up with Ramsey, 38, in Northern California, where he was in rehearsals for the upcoming four-week, long-awaited return of “The Lion King” to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA, Feb. 1-25. 

“The Lion King” is considered the biggest musical to ever tour.  

The show has more than 70 global theatrical awards, there are 200 puppets in the show, four 18-foot giraffe puppets used by stilt-walking actors, 700 lighting instruments used for the show's lighting plot, there is an expanding Pride Rock which spans 8’ to 18’ feet, 49 cast members, five different indigenous African languages spoken in the show, and 134 people were tasked with the daily production of the tour. 

I started the conversation with Ramsey, who has been playing the iconic role since 2015, by talking about how he came to play the popular Disney character. 

On a dare, Ramsey went to a singer's open call for the popular show, "The Lion King."

“My friend dared me,” said the handsome actor who has played the iconic character Mufasa, in the show for the last eight years. “She said she’d buy me lunch.” 

Growing up, he had seen the animated version, but that was it.  He didn’t know what to expect. 

“I didn't know what a Broadway show or musical was,” he said taking a break from rehearsals. “I come from a working family. I was planning to teach. I could retire and have a pension and retirement fund.” 

As luck would have it, Ramsey got a callback.

“It was a singer’s callback,” said Ramsey, a Polynesian dancer at the time.  “I took my guitar to the audition. They wanted to hear soul and R&B. So, I sang, Donnie Hathaway’s  “For All We Know.”

It was a full year before he got a call saying there were no current openings. They said they would keep him in mind. 

Eventually, he was offered the role of Mufasa in the touring company. 

“I wasn’t sure what being on tour meant,” said Ramsey, an imposing figure in life, and on stage. “At the time, I was doing my master’s program. I was one year in. I’m still one year in. I haven’t been back – but I will.”

Gerald Ramsey as 'Mufasa'

Ramsey agreed to answer more questions about The Lion King and his career. 

DD: What is at the heart of The Lion King? 

GR: Culture. It’s what sets it apart. Zulu, South African. It creates this spirit and heart that I think speaks to everybody. We all came from Africa. It’s in our bones. When Rafiki sings out in a language – you can still understand him.

DD: This show has been such a touchstone for so long, why do you think it still impacts audiences? 

GR: You can hear it when the show is going on. It speaks to you depending on where you are in your life.  Men relate more to Mufasa.  As a woman, they relate to Nala. It has changed for me since I’ve been on the road. I think I was trying to imitate James Earl Jones. Through my South African co-stars, I've learned to accept who I am and be true to myself. I can bring my grandparents with me.

DD:  How has your approach to the role changed over the years – or has it? 

GR: Absolutely. Initially, I was a lot more unsure of myself. Even the way he walks. Now I’m secure. I used to yell to prove he was powerful. You don't have to yell. 

DD: What do you like about what you do? 

GR: It feels unbelievable. I had to battle imposter syndrome. I feel like I don't belong here. I sit and talk to the South Africans and they say the same thing. I watch them and I realize they are where they are supposed to be. I’d like to see more Pacific Islanders on stage. 

DD: What is your strength as an actor?

GR: It's a challenge. I try my best not to carry the emotional weight of the story when I leave the theater. Even though loved ones pass on – they live in you. The culture I come from, we embrace it. 

DD: In what way?

GR: Death - it’s accepted. When you’re young they don't shield you. In Samoa, we stop by the graves and talk to them as if they are still alive. We talk in the present tense, not the past tense. We never stop talking about them. When you have a child, you name them after loved ones.

DD:  What, if anything, have you learned about yourself since taking on the role?

GR:  In Samoa, you’re not a grown man until you are married. I am a man. It wasn't anyone telling me that, I was telling myself the same on stage. I had these self-doubts about the stage. The biggest thing is a fear of failure. It’s like death.

DD: What does acting do for you? 

GR: I grew up stuttering and very shy. Acting allowed me to play a strong, confident character. Suddenly I walk and speak confidently. I’m glad I’m playing a beloved character. 

DD:  How do you prepare to be Mufasa each performance?

GR: Piece by piece. About 30 minutes before curtain, I’m in the makeup chair. You put on the costume and when they are all together, you can’t go back to being you. I’m Mufasa. 

DD: What is it about theater? 

GR: I wasn't sure until everything shut down during the pandemic.  Collectively, the whole world realized how important it is to connect face-to-face.  We pass down our stories in singing and dancing and sharing around the dinner table. The theater is live storytelling. There’s no barrier, no filter. 

DD: You were a Polynesian dancer in Hawaii back in the day. Polynesians are storytellers who sing and dance. How does that help you, if at all, with this show? 

GR: Sharing our stories and preserving our history is part of our culture. It’s in our bones. 

DD: How often are you touring?  What do you like and not like about it? 

GR: The hardest is being away from family. You miss milestones and events. We do eight shows a week. It’s taxing. We tour for 12 months. We have Mondays off and travel days between cities. 

DD: Talk about balancing yourself between touring and your home life.  

GR: Touring becomes your whole life. Every day I Face-time with my sisters, parents, nephews, and nieces. I find things to do outside the show. I like eating and I like the gym. 

DD: What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail? 

GR: It sounds wild but I would be a background singer for John Legend. I’d move to Europe and work in theater. 

DD: What do you know for sure? 

GR:  Nothing lasts forever. Nothing good or bad lasts forever. When I’m having a hard time on the road, I realize that good times are coming. It makes me more brave. The Lion King isn’t going to last forever. I won’t be Mufasa forever. 

“The Lion King,” Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Box Office 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 556-2787; Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; online at scfta.org, (714) 556-2787; orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling (714) 755-0236.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 PAFF Hosts Three World Premieres

 

The cast of "Outlaw Posse"

LOS ANGELES - The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) continues to be the premiere International Black Film Festival to "Inspire" indie filmmakers and showcase Black cinema worldwide.  This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever with three red carpet world premieres including the Opening Night film A Hip Hop Story, starring Affion Crockett, Cedric the Entertainer, Lil Rel Howery, and Wayne Brady, the powerful Ethiopian war film, For the Love of the Motherland which will screen as the festival’s Centerpiece, and closing out the festival will be the star-studded Mario Van Peebles directed film Outlaw Posse with a cast of who's who including film director Mario Van Peebles, Edward James Olmos, Cedric the Entertainer, M. Emmet Walsh, DC Young Fly, and Whoopi Goldberg.  

For 12 days PAFF will take over the Crenshaw District and make it the center of Black Entertainment in Los Angeles by bringing some of Hollywood's top Black actors, producers, directors, and influencers to the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD Theater.

PAFF is at the forefront of a growing trend of recognition and appreciation for the impact of Black film festivals.  Filmmakers and studios increasingly prioritize premiering their films at these culturally driven festivals. This shift underscores the significance and importance of such festivals in celebrating diversity and amplifying Black voices in cinema.

CENTERPIECE

PAFF’s Centerpiece screening will feature the red carpet world premiere of Ethiopia’s For the Love of the Motherland on February 15, at the Directors Guild of America.  This cinematic blockbuster is set to be the most expensive film to ever come out of Africa, with over 30,000 film extras, cutting-edge special effects, and breakthrough action sequences. 

Hayelom from the Tigray region in Ethiopia is deeply in love with Lielt from Ethiopia's Amhara region. When Tigrai militants invade the Amhara region, he joins the militants and she joins the Ethiopian defense force, causing their love to face an expected turn. For the Love of the Motherland is an epic film of love and war. 

“The film’s writer John Steinbeck said that all war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal and everyone, including me, agrees with his quote,” said the film’s director Theodros Teshome.

He continued, “But what if a country is attacked from within? What if the unity of the people of that country is in danger? This film is about soldiers of  Ethiopia who were forced to take sides for whom they should die for the motherland or their region.  More than 600,000 were sacrificed to satisfy the needs of some greedy politicians and the world misunderstood what was going on in Ethiopia just three years ago. As a filmmaker and citizen from this poor country, I have the responsibility to share the real story behind the war.”

CLOSING NIGHT

The second film in director Mario van Peebles’ Posse trilogy series Outlaw Posse will close out PAFF on February 19 at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD.  

In 1908 Chief returns from years of hiding in Mexico to claim stolen gold hidden in the hills of Montana. In his quest, he reunites an ensemble of fresh and familiar faces - together they fight off Angel, whose rationale for the gold leaves a trail of deception and dead bodies. 

“America’s race-ocracy seems to be making an ugly comeback with teacher censorship, legislative obstruction, and voting rights under renewed attack,” explained Mario Van Peebles.  “Of course, during the turn of the century, women of any color were not allowed to vote and men of color could be jailed and their homes burned just for exercising their right to vote or even own land. As our characters say in Outlaw Posse, “When the laws are unjust, the just are outlaws!” That said, the Wild West was not only brutal, it was also multicultural with approximately one out of every three or four cowboys being Black. As such, I wasn’t drawn to the reductive, traditional, whitewashed westerns, and I didn’t want to make a black western that was “reactive” to those pictures either. I was excited by the idea of seeing all of us. This, in some ways, mirrors the colorful diversity I grew up with in my own crazy family. I wanted to tell a father-son story inspired by the Johnny Cash song, “A Boy Named Sue,“ and informed by my own experiences as both a son and a father. To keep it grounded, I tapped my own actor kid, Mandela, to play my on-screen son – much like my own father did with me in “Sweet Sweetback.” If America is a melting pot, then I wanted to cook this cinematic gumbo with laughter, love, and jalapeños.”

Outlaw Posse stars Mario Van Peebles, Whoopi Goldberg, Cedric the Entertainer, John Carrol Lynch, Neil McDonough, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, DC Young Fly, and Cam Gigandet.  The star-filled cast is expected to hit the red carpet in support of the film.

Black film festivals, like PAFF, have evolved into dynamic platforms that not only celebrate the rich tapestry of Black culture but also serve as launching pads for compelling and thought-provoking stories that resonate with global audiences. The decision to premiere films PAFF reflects a deeper understanding of the unique opportunities they provide for both established and emerging filmmakers.

“PAFF continues to offer an environment where stories rooted in African and African-American experiences are not only embraced but celebrated,” said PAFF co-founder Ayuko Babu. “This cultural relevance ensures that films resonate with their intended audience while reaching new and diverse viewers.”

He continued, “Filmmakers recognize that premiering their work at festivals like PAFF allows for meaningful interactions with engaged and passionate audiences who appreciate the power of storytelling. These interactions provide valuable feedback and foster connections between creators and their supporters.”

PAFF general manager Asantewa Olatunji added, “Premiering at a Black film festival can significantly increase a film's visibility and attract the attention of distributors, industry professionals, and critics. This can lead to wider distribution opportunities, securing a larger audience base.”

 This year’s film festival features over 200 films from 54 countries, in 28 languages, including 68 World and 25 North American premieres.  Of the films selected for the Festival, 49% are helmed by female, queer or non-binary filmmakers. Tickets and passes are on sale now at paff.org.

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For general information visit paff.org.

Hashtags: #PAFF and #PAFFNow

Twitter: @PAFFNow

Instagram: @PAFFNow

Facebook: facebook.com/PAFFNow 

The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival To Celebrate 31st Anniversary

 

The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival will celebrate its 31st Anniversary with four days of virtuosa performances, panels, workshops, and its Champagne GALA and Awards Ceremony honoring distinguished women of achievement in theatre on Thursday, March 28 through Sunday, March 31, 2024.  

Events will take place at Theatre 68 Arts Complex-The Rosalie, located at 5112 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601. 

This year's theme is Telling Our Truths! Full details of the performer line-up, awardees, and co-hosts are forthcoming. 

The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival was co-founded by solo artists Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed. 

This year’s organizational funders of Official Sponsors and Government Grantors include the Los Angeles County Arts and Culture, California Arts Council, City of Culver City, Department of Cultural Affairs, Blackbaud Foundation, KPFK 90.7 FM, and Adilah Barnes Productions. 

For more information about the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, go to http://lawtf.org or call (8180 760-0408.

Choreographer Camille A. Brown Explores Issue of Race

Camille A. Brown

By Darlene Donloe

Camille A. Brown, the founder and artistic director of Camille A. Brown & Dancers, is known for being edgy, dynamic, and inventive.

With boldness, she unapologetically explores issues of race, culture, and identity.

Committed to empowering communities through dance and dialogue, Brown, an award-winning choreographer, has been recognized for bringing life to Broadway shows like for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Choir Boy, and Once On This Island.

Brown’s award-winning choreography reclaims the cultural narrative of African American identity. The show allows her work to tap into both ancestral stories and contemporary culture to capture a range of deeply personal experiences.

Through dance and dialogue, Brown empowers Black bodies to tell their story in their language(s).

Brown credits legendary dancer, actress, and director Debbie Allen for providing her with profound mentorship and impactful guidance during her career.

The dancer, choreographer, director, and dance educator, who congruently choreographed commissioned pieces for dance companies, Broadway shows, and universities brings her energetic choreography to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills where Allen serves as a board member. Performances are set for two nights on January 12-13.

Camille A. Brown

I recently caught up with Brown (CAB) to talk about her career and her upcoming show.

DD: Describe what it has been like working with a dance legend like Debbie Allen.  What does having her in your corner do for you?

CAB: It means the world! I have been inspired by Debbie Allen ever since FAME was on TV. She was so powerful. Her words and the tools she gave the students reminded me of my training as a young dancer at Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center and Carolyn Devore Dance Center. In high school, I wrote essays about Debbie Allen. If I was asked who I looked up to, I always said her name... To watch how she has expanded her career—from dancer to choreographer, to director for film and television, and on and on. She created her lane, and by doing so, permitted us to believe that all things are possible. 

DD: What is the most important thing you’ve learned from Debbie Allen?

CAB: Always be on your A-game. 

DD: How does dance amplify the cultural narratives of African American identity?

CAB: Dance is a part of the cultural narrative of African-American identity. Through social dance specifically, we can see a place, a time, a movement. Dance can move us through centuries, tell us about our history, and bring us right into the present with one move. It is a language, and through movement, we see our identities. 

DD: Why does bringing this show to LA matter?

CAB: I can only speak for myself. It matters to me because it allows me to share my perspective through my lens. There’s nothing like being able to speak your mind and create your own space to see whatever you want. I am very honored The Wallis has brought The Company here. 

DD: You recently made your Broadway directorial debut on the Broadway revival of For Colored Girls…, and became the first Black female to be nominated for a Tony Award as both director and choreographer for a play on Broadway in over 67 years. Talk about what that means to you.

CAB: I’m not sure I can fully express through words how that entire experience changed my life. I always wanted to choreograph for theater and Broadway, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to direct and choreograph a Broadway show. I dreamed about it, but when it became a reality, it knocked me out. And the fact that it was one of Ntozake Shange’s most celebrated plays. No pressure! I had the honor of meeting Ntozake Shange, and she interviewed me for her book. I was captivated by how necessary dance was to her work and practice. When I was asked to direct and choreograph For Colored Girls..., I remembered our conversation and her love of dance. With For Colored Girls..., she was making the statement that dance is just as important as the text. The story must live through the words and how they are delivered but also how the body moves. And then to be nominated for a Tony as director and choreographer… I just wanted to give my all and give it my best shot. It felt amazing to be seen and acknowledged. It was a giant step in my career. 

DD:  You also made history as the MET Opera’s first Black director, co-directing and choreographing the production of "Fire Shut Up In My Bones.  This is clearly your time.  How do you process all of your success?  What does something like this mean to you, and more importantly, what does it do for those coming behind you?

CAB: Thank you so much. I just think about the climb. People see your successes, but they rarely see what it took to get you there. I am thankful for both the highs and the lows. It all makes you who you are. Hopefully, it shows people—particularly young Black girls—that we can be anything we want to be. There may be challenges but keep climbing. If they say no, you say yes and you keep climbing. If the door is shut, find another way, or make your own space... Being the first at anything is a massive undertaking. You are learning in real-time, and everybody is watching. I zone in and focus on the work. 

Camille A. Brown

DD:  Describe what the audience will see at the upcoming performance at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

CAB: Yes! The Company is performing a work that we premiered in 2017 called ‘ink’. It celebrates the gestural language of African American culture through my lens. These movements are used to tell stories of love, brotherhood, and community. The Company includes our musicians as well who will be performing on stage. We dance about being a community and we really are one. 

DD: Is it the same show on both days?  If not, please describe each show.

CAB: It’s the same show, but I always say we are different from who we were yesterday. We’re going to bring our present selves to the space. It’s not about recreating what we did the night before. We’re taking the same journey but are open to discovering new things.

DD:  How do you come up with the narrative for your shows?

CAB: It normally starts with a feeling. The inspiration behind 'ink' was wanting to celebrate Black Joy. What that looked like in some manifestations. I say some because there are so many ways we can show what Black Joy looks like. This is just my way. 

DD:  What is the story you’re trying to convey?

CAB: Gestural language and history living in the body to create Black joy and community. 

DD: What is it about dance?  What does it do for you?

CAB: I used to get teased about my voice when I was younger, so I didn’t always want to speak. Dance gave me the space to share my voice.

'Oppenheimer' and 'Succession' Dominate The 81st Golden Globes

By Darlene Donloe

The 81st Golden Globes honored the best in film and American television of 2023.  The ceremony aired live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. PST.  

The show's host was comedian, Jo Koy, whose opening monologue drew mixed reactions from the stars and entertainment execs in attendance.

In 2021, the Los Angeles Times documented to lack of Black members within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which presented the awards, and potential ethical transgressions related to the oversized influence of its then-roster of 87 international journalists. 

The ethics, finance, and diversity scandal within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association led to the cancellation of the 2022 broadcast.  The Golden Globes were sold in 2023 and the Hollywood Foreign Press dissolved.

Below is a complete list of winners.

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Anatomy of a Fall
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer *WINNER
Past Lives
The Zone of Interest

Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy
Air
American Fiction
Barbie
The Holdovers
May December
Poor Things *WINNER

Best Motion Picture – Animated
The Boy and the Heron *WINNER
Elemental
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Suzume
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Wish

Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
Barbie *WINNER
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
John Wick: Chapter 4
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language
Anatomy of a Fall (France) *WINNER
Fallen Leaves (Finland)
Io Capitano (Italy)
Past Lives (United States)
Society of the Snow (Spain)
The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon *WINNER
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Greta Lee, Past Lives
Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Bradley Cooper, Maestro

Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon

Colman Domingo, Rustin

Barry Keoghan, Saltburn

Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer *WINNER

Andrew Scott, All of Us Stranger

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
Jodie Foster, Nyad
Julianne Moore, May December
Rosamund Pike, Saltburn
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers *WINNER

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture
Willem Dafoe, Poor Things
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer *WINNER
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Charles Melton, May December
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Nicolas Cage, Dream Scenario
Timothée Chalamet, Wonka
Matt Damon, Air
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers *WINNER
Joaquin Phoenix, Beau Is Afraid
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple
Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings
Natalie Portman, May December
Alma Pöysti, Fallen Leaves
Margot Robbie, Barbie
Emma Stone, Poor Things *WINNER

Best Director — Motion Picture
Bradley Cooper (Maestro)
Greta Gerwig (Barbie)
Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things)
Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer) *WINNER
Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)
Celine Song (Past Lives)

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, Barbie
Tony McNamara, Poor Things
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
Celine Song, Past Lives
Justine Triet, Arthur Harari, Anatomy of a Fall *WINNER

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Jerskin Fendrix, Poor Things
Ludwig Göransson, Oppenheimer *WINNER
Mica Levi, The Zone of Interest
Daniel Pemberton, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Robbie Robertson, Killers of the Flower Moon
The Boy and the Heron

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Addicted to Romance,” Bruce Springsteen (She Came to Me)
“Dance the Night,” Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt (Barbie)
“I’m Just Ken,” Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt (Barbie)
“Peaches,” Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond & John Spiker (The Super Mario Bros. Move)
“Road to Freedom,” Lenny Kravitz (Rustin)
“What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish & Finneas (Barbie) *Winner

Best Television Series – Drama
Succession (HBO/Max) *WINNER
The Crown (Netflix)
The Diplomat (Netflix)
The Last of Us (HBO/Max)
1923 (Paramount+)
The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Best Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Barry (HBO/Max)
Jury Duty (Amazon Freevee)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
The Bear (FX) *WINNER

Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix)
Beef (Netflix) *WINNER
Daisy Jones & the Six (Amazon)
Fargo (FX)
Fellow Travelers (Showtime)
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Drama
Helen Mirren (1923)
Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us)
Keri Russell (The Diplomat)
Sarah Snook (Succession) *WINNER
Imelda Staunton (The Crown)
Emma Stone (The Curse)

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama
Brian Cox (Succession)
Kieran Culkin (Succession) *WINNER
Gary Oldman (Slow Horses)
Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
Jeremy Strong (Succession)
Dominic West (The Crown)

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary)
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear *WINNER
Elle Fanning (The Great)
Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building)
Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face) 

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Bill Hader (Barry)
Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building)
Jason Segel (Shrinking)
Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building)
Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)
Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) *WINNER

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Riley Keough, Daisy Jones & the Six

Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry

Elizabeth Olsen, Love & Death

Juno Temple, Fargo

Rachel Weisz, Dead Ringers

Ali Wong, Beef *WINNER

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers

Sam Claflin, Daisy Jones & the Six

Jon Hamm, Fargo

Woody Harrelson, White House Plumbers

David Oyelowo, Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Steven Yeun, Beef *WINNER

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role on Television 

Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown *WINNER

Abby Elliott, The Bear

Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets

J. Smith-Cameron, Succession

Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building

Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role on Television 

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) *WINNER

James Marsden (Jury Duty)

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear 

Alan Ruck (Succession)

Alexander Skarsgård (Succession)

Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television

Chris Rock (Selective Outrage)

Sarah Silverman (Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love)

Wanda Sykes (I’m an Entertainer)

Ricky Gervais (Ricky Gervais Armageddon) *WINNER

Trevor Noah (Trevor Noah: Where Was I)

Amy Schumer (Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact)

In Memoriam

By Darlene Donloe

Many noteworthy people closed their eyes for the last time in 2023. They were writers, actors, directors, musicians, publicists, entertainment executives, activists, community leaders, and politicians.  All were influential in their own way. And, before leaving the planet, they all made their mark and touched the lives of so many. This column remembers their legacies and pays tribute to those who passed this way. Respect!

JANUARY

Jan. 1 – Frederick “Freddie” Eugene White, drummer with Earth, Wind, and Fire Original 9.  He was 67.

Gangsta Boo

Jan. 1 - Gangsta Boo, female rapper (Where Dem Dollas At). She was 43.

Jan. 5 - Gordy Harmon, founding member of the R&B group - The Whispers. He was 79.

Jan. 11 – Charles White, USC running back and 1979 Heisman Trophy winner. He was 64.

Jan. 14 - Keith Beaton, co-founder of Blue Magic. He was 72.

Jan. 15 – C.J. Harris, ‘American Idol’ alum. He was 31. 

Jan. 17 – Steve Buckley, music industry exec.

Jan. 27 – Gregory Allen Howard, screenwriter on ‘Remember The Titans.’  He was 70.

Jan. 28 – Barret Strong, Motown songwriter. He was 81.

FEBRUARY

Feb. 1 - Stanley Wilson Jr., former Detroit Lion. He was 40.

Feb. 20 - Chuck Jackson, ‘Any Day Now’ soul singer. He was 85. 

MARCH

Wayne Shorter

March 2 – Wayne Shorter, jazz great. He was 89.

March 5 – Bobby Caldwell, soul singer. He was 71.

Lance Reddick

March 17 – Lance Reddick, actor in The Wire, John Wick. He was 60.

March 21 - Willis Reed, Knicks Champ and NBA Champion. He was 80.

APRIL

April 16 - Ahmad Jamal, legendary jazz pianist. He was 92.

April 17 - Ivan Mamao Conti, co-founder of the ground-breaking Brazilian Funk-Jazz Fusion trio, Azymuth. He was 76.

April 19 – Otis Redding III, musician and son of soul legend. He was 59.

Harry Belafonte

April 25 – Harry Belafonte, legendary civil rights activist, and entertainer. He was 96.

MAY

May 3 – Torie Bowie, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist. Bowie won three medals at the 2016 Olympic Games, anchoring Team USA to a gold medal in the 100-meter relay.  She was 32.

May 16 – Bill Perkins, New York politician. He was 74.

May 18 – Jim Brown, NFL Legend turned actor and civil rights activist. He was 87.

May 18 – Marlene Clark, actress. She was 73.

Tina Turner

May 24 – Tina Turner, QUEEN of rock ‘n’ roll. She was 83. 

May 24 – Bill Lee, bassist and composer of son Spike Lee’s films. He was 94. 

May 30 – John Beasley, ‘Everwood’ actor. He was 79.

JUNE

June 6 – Paul Eckstein, ‘Godfather of Harlem’ creator and “Hoodlum” and “Narcos” producer. He was 59.

June 7 – Jim Hines, U.S. Olympian and record-breaking sprinter.  He was 76.

June 19 – Clark Haggans, former NFL linebacker. He was 46.

Larry "Gator" Rivers

June 29 – Larry “Gator” Rivers, Harlem Globetrotters legend. He was 73.

June 29 – Christine King Farris, the last living sibling of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She was 95.

JULY

July 7 - Nikki McCray-Penson, basketball star and Olympic gold medalist. She was 51.

July 7 – Mutulu Shakur, Tupac’s stepfather and renowned activist. He was 72.

Oscar Brashear

July 11 – Oscar Brashear, jazz trumpeter. He was 78.

July 16 – Elise Finch, Emmy-winning meteorologist for CBS New York affiliate WCBS-TV. She was 51.

July 20 – YNG Cheese, Philadelphia rapper. He was 25.

July 27 – William Dilday Jr., the first Black television station manager in the entire country and one of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists.  He was 85.

AUGUST

Aug. 1 – Sheila Oliver, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor. She was 71.

Aug. 3 – Wendell B, singer and songwriter.

Aug. 7 – DJ Casper, songwriter, and hype man. He was 58.

Aug. 11 – Gus Solomon’s Jr., choreographer, dancer. He was 84.

Clarence Avant

Aug. 13 - Clarence Avant, music executive known as The Black Godfather.  He was 92. 

Aug. 13 – Magoo (from producer/collaborator of Timbaland’s crew), rapper. He was 50.

Aug. 14 – Chico Del Vec, founding member of rap group Jr. M.A.F.I.A.

Ron Cephas Jones

Aug. 19 – Ron Cephas Jones, Emmy  Award-winning actor ‘This Is Us’ and ‘Truth Be Told.’  He was 66.

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 12 – Mike Williams, NFL wide receiver. He was 36.

Sept. 14 - Pearl Bowser, film director,  recipient of the SCMS Distinguished Career Achievement Award (2005). Affectionately known as the "Godmother of Black Independent Cinema." She unearthed Oscar Micheaux's lost archives, shedding light on the origins of Black Cinema. She was 92.

Sept. 16 – Irish Grinstead, R&B singer, member of 702. She was 43.

Sept. 17 – Fred Lewis, founder of the R&B group, Lakeside.  He was 72.

Sept. 21 - Katherine Anderson, co-founder of The Marvelettes. She was 79.

Kevin Fleming

Sept. 21 – Kevin Fleming, CEO/Publisher of “The Urban Buzz.” He was 65.

Sept. 25 – Zoleka, the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela. She was 43. 

OCTOBER

Oct. 9 – Hughes Van Ellis, the last survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre. He was 102.

Oct. 10 – Gail O-Neil, Jamaican-American model. She was 60.

Oct. 10 – Louise Meriwether, writer and activist. She wrote “Daddy Was A Number Runner.” She was 100.

Shirley Jo Finney

Oct. 11 – Shirley Jo Finney, director and actress. She was 74.

Oct. 11 – Rudolph Isley, Isley Brothers co-founder. He was 84.

Oct. 19 - Mark Howard James, aka DJ Mark the 45 King, a respected producer who helped create tracks for some of the most iconic hip-hop acts in history including Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Eric B. and Rakin, Gang Starr, and Common.  He was 62. 

Oct. 23 – Tasha Butts, Former WNBA player and women’s college basketball coach. She was 41. 

Richard Roundtree

Oct. 24 – Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor played Shaft. He was 81.

Oct. 25 - Herbert “Bertie” Bowman, the longest-serving Black congressional staffer in American history, had worked at the Capitol since he was 13. He was 92. 

Oct. 30 - Aaron Spears, a drummer who worked with some of the biggest pop stars in the world including Usher and Ariana Grande. He was 47.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 2 – Walter Davis, Six-time NBA All-Star. He was 69.  

Nov. 7 – C-Knight, Rapper. He was 52.

Nov. 11 – D.J. Hayden, Former NFL cornerback. He was 33.

Nov. 14 – Neville Garrick, photographer, Jamaican graphic artist and visual designer.  He was 70.

Nov. 17 – George Brown, co-founder Kool & The Gang. He was 74.

Carlton Pearson

Nov. 19 – Carlton Pearson, founder and pastor of Higher Dimensions Family Church in Tulsa, OK.  He was 70.

Nov. 27 - Jean Knight, “Mr. Big Stuff” singer. She was 80.

DECEMBER

Dec. 3 - David McKnight, actor (J.D.’s Revenge/Hollywood Shuffle). He was 87.

Ellen Holly

Dec. 5 - Ellen Holly, the first Black actress to star in a soap opera (One Life to Live). She was 92. 

Dec. 6 - Kendall Minter, music industry attorney.

Dec. 7 - Forest Whitaker, ex-wife, actress Keisha Nash. She was 51. 

Dec. 8 - Nidra Beard, Dynasty lead singer. 

Andre Braugher

Dec. 12 - Andre Braugher, ‘Homicide: Life On The Street,’ ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine.’ He was 61.

Dec. 18 - Joseph “Amp” Fiddler, the Detroit-based singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer. He was 65.

Dec. 29 - Maurice Hines, Broadway singer, dancer, and choreographer. He was 80.

Dec. 31 - Les McCann, jazz pianist and vocalist. He was 88.

  

'Titanic: The Exhibition' Docks in Los Angeles

 

By Darlene Donloe

The tragedy that befell the Titanic on April 15, 1912, is a dark, interesting, but mostly sad tale.

On that fateful day, which was four days into the ship’s maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, more than 1,500 passengers lost their lives after the Titanic collided with an iceberg on April 14, 1912, in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

The haunting story of the Titanic is told in ‘Titanic: The Exhibition’ currently taking place at the Beverly Event Venue in Los Angeles. 

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Titanic can be found in this one-hour, self-guided, interactive experience that allows attendees to step inside recreations of the ship’s interior.

It’s been more than a century since the most famous maritime disaster occurred, and yet the Titanic remains the most well-known ship in American history.

First-class sitting room

Tom Zaller (TZ), president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about the exhibition. 

DD:  Why should people experience Titanic: The Exhibition?

TZ: Whether you are a history buff or a big fan of the blockbuster film, or even if you don’t know much about the Titanic, there really is something for everyone at Titanic: The Exhibition. From the artifacts, personal stories, recreations of the ship, photo-ops, and virtual reality experience, the exhibit is profoundly educational, immersive, and emotionally impactful. 

More importantly, people should visit the exhibit in LA before it closes! We are open for a very limited time before we take the exhibit to Chicago in February, so now is the perfect time to check it out.  

DD:  It’s been 111 years since the ship sank. Why do you think there is still such a fascination with the Titanic?

TZ: I love this story. Titanic has been a part of my life since the late 90s when I had the incredible opportunity to dive to the wreck site. I’m always amazed by how people continue to be fascinated by the story; it's every man’s story - the story of hopes and dreams. There is, of course, a huge historical significance and a unique mystique of the ‘unsinkable ship,’ but I believe it is the human stories of the passengers and crew that evoke such empathy and fascination. The Titanic represents a microcosm of society, carrying people from various backgrounds, and their individual narratives resonate deeply with people.

DD: Describe the exhibit.

TZ: Titanic: The Exhibition – produced by Imagine Exhibitions and Fever – is the largest and most immersive touring Titanic exhibition, and it is a narrative journey that brings to light the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the sinking ship. It is also a uniquely interactive exhibition that tells the chronological and dramatic tale of the design, creation, launch, maiden voyage, and tragedy of the largest and most luxurious ship in the world at that time. 

A LifeVest

DD: In what way is the exhibit interactive?

TZ: The exhibit has many interactive elements to it - whether through the boarding pass that corresponds with a real-life passenger allowing each guest to follow an individual passenger story as they explore the first-, second-, and third-class galleries with their corresponding artifacts, or through the immersive chronologic galleries and the narrative that unfolds.

DD:  What is the most shocking thing attendees will see in the exhibit?

TZ: I think the human stories of real-life people are always what touches people in the most shocking and poignant elements whether those stories are told through the use of artifact displays or recreations depicting the conditions aboard the ship during the sinking. 2 great examples, For instance, feeling the freezing temperature of the iceberg or seeing your name on the memorial wall has always touched people the most. Overall, the exhibit's ability to humanize the tragedy by showcasing individual stories, artifacts, and the sheer scale of the disaster often leaves a profound impact on attendees.

A porthole

DD:  What do you think people will find out – that they didn’t already know?

TZ: An interesting part of the exhibit delves into the ship's design and construction, showcasing details about the materials used, the engineering innovations, and the ambitious scale of the Titanic itself. I think people would be interested to learn about the riveting techniques used and the sheer size and opulence of the ship's interior.

Furthermore, the exhibit sheds light on the passengers' experiences beyond the well-known stories, revealing details about lesser-known individuals aboard, their backgrounds, and the diverse range of people who were traveling on the Titanic, highlighting personal anecdotes and lesser-known tales of survival or loss. 

Grand Staircase

DD: Are attendees able to walk the grand staircase – up to the clock?

TZ: Due to safety concerns, attendees are not permitted to walk up the Grand Staircase, although they can get up close and personal with the iconic recreation for a great photo op! 

DD:  What is a definite “must-see” in the exhibition?

TZ: I personally love the “wow” factor when guests enter the immersive Grand Staircase, or later in our Discovery Gallery, dedicated to the discovery and research of the Titanic’s wreckage site. The Discovery Gallery features a raised glass floor simulating the impression of walking along the ocean floor with broken china in the sand that allows visitors to experience some of what discovery teams saw during dives to the Titanic site. At the end of the exhibition, visitors have the option to explore the wreck even further in a virtual reality experience that features 360° imagery of the Titanic’s final resting place. 

DD: Attendees hold the pass of an actual passenger on the Titanic.  How were the actual real people chosen? 

TZ: We selected 100 passengers for whom we have the most complete story.  When visitors enter we provide male passes for men and female passes for women and if a group or family we try to mix up the classes so that groups who experience the show together may be grouped in 1st class and the other in 3rd to provoke dialog about class separation and the reality of what that meant in 1912 and especially on the Titanic.  

First-class cabins hallway

DD:  Are/were there any Black passengers on the Titanic?  If so, who were they?

TZ: There was one Black Family on the Titanic. Notable was Joseph Laroche, a Haitian-born engineer, and his family. Laroche, his wife Juliette, and their two daughters were passengers on the Titanic. He was the only known Black passenger in the first class and the only passenger of African descent known to have been aboard the ship. Tragically, Joseph Laroche did not survive the sinking, but his wife and daughters were able to board a lifeboat and survived.

DD:  Is the exhibit led by a docent?  If not, is there audio along the tour?

TZ: Titanic: The Exhibition is a self-guided exhibit. 

Costumes from James Cameron's 1997 movie, 'Titanic'

DD:  What kinds of relics are on display?

TZ: The exhibit features hundreds of artifacts that encompass items that survived the sinking of the Titanic and her sister ships, as well as props and costumes from the beloved James Cameron 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. Set inside fully immersive recreations of the ship's interior, the artifacts help navigate guests through Titanic's timeline from sinking to underwater discovery. 

DD:  Does the iceberg make an appearance? If so, in what way?

TZ: It does! I won’t give too much away, but the iceberg definitely makes an appearance at the exhibit, and there is an interactive element to it as well.  

DD:  Would you describe this exhibition as more informational or more emotional?  Explain.

TZ: The exhibition aims to provide a mix of both information and emotional depth. It offers a comprehensive look at the Titanic's history, including details about its construction, the passengers, the luxurious elements of the ship, and the events leading up to the tragic sinking. 

Alongside factual information, the exhibit highlights personal stories of passengers and crew, artifacts both from the Titanic and her sister ships, and recreations of parts of the ship. Ultimately, the exhibit aims to provide a well-rounded experience that educates visitors about the Titanic's history while also touching on an emotional connection to the human side of the story.

* * *

The actual wreckage of the Titanic was found after 1 a.m. on Sept. 1, 1985, under more than 12,400 feet of water. One of the Titanic’s boilers was identified, confirming the wreck had been found. The ship was found by American oceanographer and marine geologist, Robert Ballard, 73 years after it sank. As suspected, the ship had split in half. 

Titanic: The Exhibition – Los Angeles, 4327 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; $23 -$68.90; through Dec. 31, 2023.

**All photos by Darlene Donloe