Ruben Santiago-Hudson Talks About “Low Winter Sun” and His Love of August Wilson Plays in an Interview With Black Hollywood Live
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 07, 2013 -- (blackhollywoodlive.com)—Ruben Santiago-Hudson made an appearance on Black Hollywood Live: Portraits Friday. In his appearance, Santiago-Hudson talks about writing “Lackawanna Blues”, the perception of black actors in Hollywood and his acting career.
On growing up as a child in Lackawanna, NY:
“It was the best that any child could have, everyone had a job at the steel plant and everyone had a new car in the driveway and a conk, so I saw images that were very positive to me.”
On education:
“My knowledge and thirst for knowledge has no expiration date…It goes until I’m dead. I will be learning and studying from youth, as well as people older than me...Having degrees as a person of color in this country is the one thing that can’t nobody take away from me.”
On Street Credibility:
“I am always going to be in the hood in my heart, but what I did was added on the masters of arts, fine arts and the doctorate…if you want me to pull that out, I can get very distinguished…but I’m not going there…I don’t have to put on airs, the knowledge comes out, just listen.”
On starting out working with actors such as Samuel L. Jackson, Cuba Gooding Jr., James Earl Jones:
“We were all struggling, we were all putting our change together to get chicken wings…to see us all pursue our careers and be successful is a blessing.”
On realizing career accomplishments
“One day, I looked up and saw I had an extensive resume and saw how I did that and did not realize it because you are constantly working and trying to build a body of work.”
On the younger generation of actors:
“Some of the young kids look for one hit to be a star, that what they’re known for the rest of their life...I never wanted to be known as one thing, that is the reason I do classical theater, write, direct and the blessings God has given me…I want to share.”
On the perception of black actors in Hollywood:
“That’s what Hollywood sees of actors of color, there’s two things they easily accept…anger and authority. Humanity is what’s difficult for them to accept. How many times have you seen me hug my wife and child…rarely in TV & Film.”
On his mother:
“Rachel Crosby adopted me as a kid. She was my mother’s landlady. My mother was 21 years old working at a bar, leaving me in a studio apartment. Nanny discovered I was by myself and took me...My birth mother had a really hard life, went into heroin addiction for 23 years…in and out of jail. Nanny ended up being my keeper, mother and best friend."
On why Lackawanna Blues film for HBO was his favorite to work on:
“It was like a family reunion every day. Not one person walked on that set that didn’t celebrate with us, because they weren’t just celebrating Nanny. They were celebrating Big Momma, Aunt Jenny…all the people in their houses and their communities.”
On his new role on AMC’s Low Winter Sun:
“The unique part of this is, I’ve already been home and you’ve seen my kids. We on episode 9. All of a sudden there’s a human being with something more to care about than him. Which is wonderful.”
On the Harry Belafonte vs. Jay Z beef:
“Harry Belafonte, has been to jail for us! You can’t get on a hip-hop record and start saying ‘listen here boy’. That’s Harry Belafonte! I don’t care how much money you have. I don’t care if you feel dissed. Maybe he said something you should hear.”
You can watch or download Ruben Santiago-Hudson's full interview at http://blackhollywoodlive.com/2013/07/27/ruben-santiago-hudson-bhl-portraits/.
"Black Hollywood Live: Portraits" is a revolutionary new show in which hosts Derrial Christon, Courtney Stewart and Jesse Janedy conduct in-depth interviews with celebrity guests. The creators of BHL, Extra's Maria Menounos and filmmaker Keven Undergaro, also have an established online network, AfterBuzz TV, which currently receives over 20 million weekly downloads and has attracted celebrity guests from 50 Cent to Aaron Paul to Snooki.
Cathy Kelley, AfterBuzz TV, http://www.afterbuzztv.com, 203-508-2801, [email protected]
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