‘Bout last night once more. Thanks @alexshibutani for the 📸!! And the style council… @mrmontyjackson @janicekinjo And of course… @dior @mrkimjones @maouchi @omega @unclenearest @americanfictionmovie TEAM GAME.
‘Bout last night once more. Thanks @alexshibutani for the 📸!! And the style council… @mrmontyjackson @janicekinjo And of course… @dior @mrkimjones @maouchi @omega @unclenearest @americanfictionmovie TEAM GAME.
‘Bout last night once more. Thanks @alexshibutani for the 📸!! And the style council… @mrmontyjackson @janicekinjo And of course… @dior @mrkimjones @maouchi @omega @unclenearest @americanfictionmovie TEAM GAME.
SAMO …and a li’l @unclenearest taste. Thanks @paulsmithdesign & @omega. 📷 @alexshibutani 👈🏽 👁️ Style council: @mrmontyjackson @janicekinjo @americanfictionmovie
Right. Ok. So there’s this family & stuff & significants. @americanfictionmovie goes wider this Friday 12/22. Maybe you live in one of these cities with (or away from) – y’know – your family. NYC LA DC Chicago ATL Boston San Fran Austin Nashville Phoenix Irvine Hit the bio link. 🎟️
I took a whole entire shower. Thanks much @dior & @mrkimjones for the flamethrower.
Never get outta the gyot damn boat. Thanks @gq for the reflection. Thanks @samschube for good water words. Thanks @mobolajidawodu – the master – for the croakers & spots. Thanks @gstyles for the siiiiiick flics. Oh and thanks, baby rhino @hemsworthluke, for the love always, brotha! (Link in bio.)
Never get outta the gyot damn boat. Thanks @gq for the reflection. Thanks @samschube for good water words. Thanks @mobolajidawodu – the master – for the croakers & spots. Thanks @gstyles for the siiiiiick flics. Oh and thanks, baby rhino @hemsworthluke, for the love always, brotha! (Link in bio.)
Never get outta the gyot damn boat. Thanks @gq for the reflection. Thanks @samschube for good water words. Thanks @mobolajidawodu – the master – for the croakers & spots. Thanks @gstyles for the siiiiiick flics. Oh and thanks, baby rhino @hemsworthluke, for the love always, brotha! (Link in bio.)
Never get outta the gyot damn boat. Thanks @gq for the reflection. Thanks @samschube for good water words. Thanks @mobolajidawodu – the master – for the croakers & spots. Thanks @gstyles for the siiiiiick flics. Oh and thanks, baby rhino @hemsworthluke, for the love always, brotha! (Link in bio.)
It was right there on @cordjefferson’s page. #AmericanFiction (Oh and biopic alert!🤦🏽♂️)
Palate cleanse – an afternoon spent at Columbia Univ reading ancient Greeks – excerpts from Homer’s Iliad and from The Trojan Women by Euripides – with a chorus made up of Columbia students, from seemingly disparate backgrounds, seeking common ground in a time & place riven by conflict thousands of miles away. For Euripides’ play, Lois Smith read Hecuba, Elizabeth Marvel read Andromache, I read Talthybius. The reading was another in the @theaterofwar series led by Bryan Doerries. After the reading, a forum to discuss the unfortunate – even tragic – timelessness of writers’ words from millennia ago. Humans. We never change, except maybe in advancing our capacity for brutality. Great questions/thoughts raised by student-performers and audience members alike: What was Euripides attempting with his play focused on Trojan women and a child destroyed years before by a Grecian army – Grecian, like his audience? Why is it that international law (and law generally) seems often a cynical weapon for the powerful to deploy against the vulnerable? Wouldn’t the Trojans have visited the same brutality upon the Greeks, if it’d been they who’d had the advantage (question to myself)? How do humans break the cycle of generational trauma & pain passed down as a birthright? Who will join up tomorrow in dialogue across the stubborn divides? Where is empathy? I was reminded again of the purpose of theater and of all art: to conjure enlightenment; to invoke the beautiful, even via the tragic; to awaken empathy, even as it seems dormant in so many people and places. Simply suspending disbelief is an act of empathy by an audience. In the ideal, they carry away with them the elevated reality they experience inside the theater – in the ideal. I hope, as they also do, that these students carry on in their invocation of and insistence on higher ground and in their resistance to the selfishness and cynicism of this world, even as I wonder if cynicism & ignorance might disappear only when all humans do. Oh! And I played lax in college with an uncle of one of the students. Lax bois – we stick close.
Big thanks to my @SAGAFTRA colleagues for the nod to my cast mates & me. Union strong, baby. @sterlingkbrown @traceeellisross @issarae @leslieuggams1 @erikaalexanderthegreat @johnortiz718 @myra_lucretia_taylor Ray Anthony Thomas Adam Brody @silverthroat @oaksmash @mccisnauseous @shor_miriam @realjennharris @officialneallerner @b8swilder @dole_47 @jcmackenzieofficial @jackassdog @pfischler @cusackcarmen @skyler.wright @michael_jibrin @gretaquispe @chhoyangcheshatsang @actingcelested @jasonarmanimartinez …et al!! cc: @jen_euston_casting
I’ve been thinking & talking a lot lately about this man. Bert Williams is at the beginning of American cinema – not just Afro-American cinema – American cinema. His first full-length film is Lime Kiln Field Day, 1913 (MOMA has it). By comparison, Chaplain’s first film, a short, comes a year later. Williams is the first black vaudevillian to perform in the Ziegfeld Follies. W. C. Fields described him as “the funniest man I ever saw and the saddest man I ever knew.” Listen to his music. His self-conscious subversion of the ridiculous and brutal artistic/societal constraints of his time is evident. My fave is The Phrenologist Coon, written by Ernest Hogan in 1901 and recorded by our man that same year. This is his poker pantomime from the 1916 film The Natural Born Gambler. It’s impeccable. All of us who do this work today can trace back to Bert Williams, even if we do not know it or care to know. (That li’l pantomime of mine in Topdog/Underdog? Bert Williams.) In 1922, Williams collapsed, while performing on stage in Detroit; the audience thought, at first, that it was a gag. He died a few weeks later, after returning to New York City. “That’s a nice way to die. They was laughing when I made my last exit.” Thousands of mourners, black and white, attended his funeral in Manhattan. Today, few know Bert Williams. Won’t see many tributes, in these silly times, to a black actor who, 100 years ago, had little choice in America but to perform in black face. But here’s one. The man was next-level. Bert Williams. Respect the source. “Of all the mens of history ‘Tis said I’s the mystery As conjureman I’m the King Well-versed in phrenology Knows all ‘bout psychology In ethOHmology I am the thing I can tell you what you are By the feelin’ of your bump In the mystery of your future I’ll certainly make you jump When I have an inspiration All the future I can see I can tell you what you are or was Or what you’re going to be”
“Let the water come to you, Bruddah J.” – Buttons Kaluhiokalani Useful words across many pursuits. I don’t always heed them. Bettah when I do. I’ve loved ocean & waves for as long as I can remember. Used to skate as a kid – kinda religiously – ‘til I broke a leg riding in a skatepark pool one Summer when I was 14. Couldn’t play football the following Fall, so decided to put the boards down to avoid more disruption. I found surfing 12 years ago (with help from my daughter), while on vacation on Kauai. Took a few lessons with her and my son. Later that year, I went back to HI for a month to the North Shore of Oahu to film the Hunger Games – Catching Fire. Took a couple more lessons then bought my first board and started going out by myself. One day out at Chun’s, I saw Buttons. He threw me a shaka. To myself: “Who’s the brotha with the fro?” Later, someone told me who he was. I left the North Shore but came back for a couple weeks the following year to finish Catching Fire. I sought out Buttons and took more lessons from him. We kinda vibed. How could you not with Buttons? He was Buttons. He’d been thru some stuff by then but was pushing forward. We talked about things – one was surfers who didn’t fit The Beach Boys mold that most people think of when they think of surfers. Buttons was one of those – and a purest shreddah, flowed like water. When I was a kid, I used to do Berts on my skateboard. Named after Larry Bertlemann. Always thought, back then, that Bertleman was a blond dude from Santa Monica or somewhere. Nope. Brah had a fro that would make Angela Davis smile. Anyway. Buttons’ body succumbed to cancer less than a year after he said those words to me. So quick. I’d hoped to paddle out with him many more times. Life. But I remember. True legend. 📷 Some kook: #1 & #2 (@gstyles for @gq), #3 Buttons – #4, #5, #6
“Let the water come to you, Bruddah J.” – Buttons Kaluhiokalani Useful words across many pursuits. I don’t always heed them. Bettah when I do. I’ve loved ocean & waves for as long as I can remember. Used to skate as a kid – kinda religiously – ‘til I broke a leg riding in a skatepark pool one Summer when I was 14. Couldn’t play football the following Fall, so decided to put the boards down to avoid more disruption. I found surfing 12 years ago (with help from my daughter), while on vacation on Kauai. Took a few lessons with her and my son. Later that year, I went back to HI for a month to the North Shore of Oahu to film the Hunger Games – Catching Fire. Took a couple more lessons then bought my first board and started going out by myself. One day out at Chun’s, I saw Buttons. He threw me a shaka. To myself: “Who’s the brotha with the fro?” Later, someone told me who he was. I left the North Shore but came back for a couple weeks the following year to finish Catching Fire. I sought out Buttons and took more lessons from him. We kinda vibed. How could you not with Buttons? He was Buttons. He’d been thru some stuff by then but was pushing forward. We talked about things – one was surfers who didn’t fit The Beach Boys mold that most people think of when they think of surfers. Buttons was one of those – and a purest shreddah, flowed like water. When I was a kid, I used to do Berts on my skateboard. Named after Larry Bertlemann. Always thought, back then, that Bertleman was a blond dude from Santa Monica or somewhere. Nope. Brah had a fro that would make Angela Davis smile. Anyway. Buttons’ body succumbed to cancer less than a year after he said those words to me. So quick. I’d hoped to paddle out with him many more times. Life. But I remember. True legend. 📷 Some kook: #1 & #2 (@gstyles for @gq), #3 Buttons – #4, #5, #6
“Let the water come to you, Bruddah J.” – Buttons Kaluhiokalani Useful words across many pursuits. I don’t always heed them. Bettah when I do. I’ve loved ocean & waves for as long as I can remember. Used to skate as a kid – kinda religiously – ‘til I broke a leg riding in a skatepark pool one Summer when I was 14. Couldn’t play football the following Fall, so decided to put the boards down to avoid more disruption. I found surfing 12 years ago (with help from my daughter), while on vacation on Kauai. Took a few lessons with her and my son. Later that year, I went back to HI for a month to the North Shore of Oahu to film the Hunger Games – Catching Fire. Took a couple more lessons then bought my first board and started going out by myself. One day out at Chun’s, I saw Buttons. He threw me a shaka. To myself: “Who’s the brotha with the fro?” Later, someone told me who he was. I left the North Shore but came back for a couple weeks the following year to finish Catching Fire. I sought out Buttons and took more lessons from him. We kinda vibed. How could you not with Buttons? He was Buttons. He’d been thru some stuff by then but was pushing forward. We talked about things – one was surfers who didn’t fit The Beach Boys mold that most people think of when they think of surfers. Buttons was one of those – and a purest shreddah, flowed like water. When I was a kid, I used to do Berts on my skateboard. Named after Larry Bertlemann. Always thought, back then, that Bertleman was a blond dude from Santa Monica or somewhere. Nope. Brah had a fro that would make Angela Davis smile. Anyway. Buttons’ body succumbed to cancer less than a year after he said those words to me. So quick. I’d hoped to paddle out with him many more times. Life. But I remember. True legend. 📷 Some kook: #1 & #2 (@gstyles for @gq), #3 Buttons – #4, #5, #6
“Let the water come to you, Bruddah J.” – Buttons Kaluhiokalani Useful words across many pursuits. I don’t always heed them. Bettah when I do. I’ve loved ocean & waves for as long as I can remember. Used to skate as a kid – kinda religiously – ‘til I broke a leg riding in a skatepark pool one Summer when I was 14. Couldn’t play football the following Fall, so decided to put the boards down to avoid more disruption. I found surfing 12 years ago (with help from my daughter), while on vacation on Kauai. Took a few lessons with her and my son. Later that year, I went back to HI for a month to the North Shore of Oahu to film the Hunger Games – Catching Fire. Took a couple more lessons then bought my first board and started going out by myself. One day out at Chun’s, I saw Buttons. He threw me a shaka. To myself: “Who’s the brotha with the fro?” Later, someone told me who he was. I left the North Shore but came back for a couple weeks the following year to finish Catching Fire. I sought out Buttons and took more lessons from him. We kinda vibed. How could you not with Buttons? He was Buttons. He’d been thru some stuff by then but was pushing forward. We talked about things – one was surfers who didn’t fit The Beach Boys mold that most people think of when they think of surfers. Buttons was one of those – and a purest shreddah, flowed like water. When I was a kid, I used to do Berts on my skateboard. Named after Larry Bertlemann. Always thought, back then, that Bertleman was a blond dude from Santa Monica or somewhere. Nope. Brah had a fro that would make Angela Davis smile. Anyway. Buttons’ body succumbed to cancer less than a year after he said those words to me. So quick. I’d hoped to paddle out with him many more times. Life. But I remember. True legend. 📷 Some kook: #1 & #2 (@gstyles for @gq), #3 Buttons – #4, #5, #6
“Let the water come to you, Bruddah J.” – Buttons Kaluhiokalani Useful words across many pursuits. I don’t always heed them. Bettah when I do. I’ve loved ocean & waves for as long as I can remember. Used to skate as a kid – kinda religiously – ‘til I broke a leg riding in a skatepark pool one Summer when I was 14. Couldn’t play football the following Fall, so decided to put the boards down to avoid more disruption. I found surfing 12 years ago (with help from my daughter), while on vacation on Kauai. Took a few lessons with her and my son. Later that year, I went back to HI for a month to the North Shore of Oahu to film the Hunger Games – Catching Fire. Took a couple more lessons then bought my first board and started going out by myself. One day out at Chun’s, I saw Buttons. He threw me a shaka. To myself: “Who’s the brotha with the fro?” Later, someone told me who he was. I left the North Shore but came back for a couple weeks the following year to finish Catching Fire. I sought out Buttons and took more lessons from him. We kinda vibed. How could you not with Buttons? He was Buttons. He’d been thru some stuff by then but was pushing forward. We talked about things – one was surfers who didn’t fit The Beach Boys mold that most people think of when they think of surfers. Buttons was one of those – and a purest shreddah, flowed like water. When I was a kid, I used to do Berts on my skateboard. Named after Larry Bertlemann. Always thought, back then, that Bertleman was a blond dude from Santa Monica or somewhere. Nope. Brah had a fro that would make Angela Davis smile. Anyway. Buttons’ body succumbed to cancer less than a year after he said those words to me. So quick. I’d hoped to paddle out with him many more times. Life. But I remember. True legend. 📷 Some kook: #1 & #2 (@gstyles for @gq), #3 Buttons – #4, #5, #6
“Let the water come to you, Bruddah J.” – Buttons Kaluhiokalani Useful words across many pursuits. I don’t always heed them. Bettah when I do. I’ve loved ocean & waves for as long as I can remember. Used to skate as a kid – kinda religiously – ‘til I broke a leg riding in a skatepark pool one Summer when I was 14. Couldn’t play football the following Fall, so decided to put the boards down to avoid more disruption. I found surfing 12 years ago (with help from my daughter), while on vacation on Kauai. Took a few lessons with her and my son. Later that year, I went back to HI for a month to the North Shore of Oahu to film the Hunger Games – Catching Fire. Took a couple more lessons then bought my first board and started going out by myself. One day out at Chun’s, I saw Buttons. He threw me a shaka. To myself: “Who’s the brotha with the fro?” Later, someone told me who he was. I left the North Shore but came back for a couple weeks the following year to finish Catching Fire. I sought out Buttons and took more lessons from him. We kinda vibed. How could you not with Buttons? He was Buttons. He’d been thru some stuff by then but was pushing forward. We talked about things – one was surfers who didn’t fit The Beach Boys mold that most people think of when they think of surfers. Buttons was one of those – and a purest shreddah, flowed like water. When I was a kid, I used to do Berts on my skateboard. Named after Larry Bertlemann. Always thought, back then, that Bertleman was a blond dude from Santa Monica or somewhere. Nope. Brah had a fro that would make Angela Davis smile. Anyway. Buttons’ body succumbed to cancer less than a year after he said those words to me. So quick. I’d hoped to paddle out with him many more times. Life. But I remember. True legend. 📷 Some kook: #1 & #2 (@gstyles for @gq), #3 Buttons – #4, #5, #6
Jeffrey Wright on the lesson he learned from Harrison Ford…
Not me jumping down the Rudy Van Gelder rabbit hole. Van Gelder, a trained optometrist, was the sound engineer who, in 1955, recorded the Cannonball Adderley/Miles Davis Autumn Leaves‼️in a studio squeezed into his parents’ living room 😮in Hackensack, NJ. The house had been built in 1946 and Van Gelder asked that his parents’ architect dial in the acoustics and also place ‘a control room with a double-glass window next to the living room.’ His parents understood his serousness. He was 22. Then, in 1959, he moved to a purpose-built studio (with an apartment above) in Englewood, designed by David Henken, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright. The building (second pic), which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022, is just north of the GW Bridge, high in the cliffs there, if you’re driving the Palisades Parkway. I’ve passed it many times and had no idear. Thousands of albums were recorded there, including, among other flames, *gulp* Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. That album’s iconic cover photo was captured at the studio. The original studio was bulldozed at some point, ‘cause, y’know, America. Rudy Van Gelder died in 2016. Me? Mind-blown.
@americanfictionmovie star Jeffrey Wright breaks down what he believes is the heart of the film. Wright plays Monk, an author driven to farcical extremes (you won’t get any spoilers from us 😉 Watch Wright, Cillian Murphy (#Oppenheimer), Andrew Scott (#AllofusStrangers), Colman Domingo (#Rustin, #TheColorPurple) Paul Giamatti (#TheHoldovers) and Mark Ruffalo (#PoorThings) on #TheEnvelope Actors Roundtable, hosted by The Times’ @michael_ordona_ at the link in @latimes_entertainment’s bio. #TheEnvelope #Oscars2024
Ang Lee & Sidney Lumet Q&A yesterday at the DGA. Mentioned two directors who took an interest in me early, walked out of the theater, and they were side-by-side on the wall. Who’s writing this? 😮
