THR’s Blackfamous Roundtable: Challenges Black Actors Face and Progress Made In Hollywood

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) hosted a roundtable discussion featuring actors Loretta Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Larenz Tate, and Lynn Whitfield. The actors open up about their success and presence among Black fans, the duality of fame, and the hurdles Black actors face which limit opportunities. Despite the challenges, Hollywood is beginning to show progress in its authenticity. The roundtable is moderated by THR’s Nekesa Mumbi Moody.

“So even in unsuspecting places, that can be very much a thing where there are certain people who have no idea who you are and what you’ve done after all these years.”

Nekesa begins the discussion by asking the actors about their perception of the concept of “Blackfamous” or “Black fame.” Sheryl is the first to answer, and she begins with a story of an experience she had two years ago that involved an executive producer from a series called Fam for CBS. Despite Sheryl being a successful actor, the executive producer didn’t know anything about her and asked her questions regarding her acting experience.

Loretta then chimes in, recalling a similar situation at a restaurant. The restaurant was named the Serving Spoon, and she ate and watched the Superbowl game there. Despite a news team being present and a picture of her on the wall, everyone was oblivious of her presence. When she finished eating, young individuals approached her and asked for a photo. It was only then that the people at the restaurant took notice of her. Wendy agrees with Loretta and laments how, despite spending almost two decades on the show The Game, people only recognize her from The Steve Harvey Show.

“What we see here, just an incredible amount of talented and graceful artists who are famous. And it’s sad that sometimes we get caught up: People may not recognize us for the things that we feel so proud of, right, with the things that we’re so excited about, and it happens.”

Larenz then attempts to bring up everyone’s spirits. He believes that as artists, they always try to do something different. While it would be nice if Hollywood would have more opportunities for Black actors, Larenz notes that he sees them all as amazing artists. Fame comes second to the moral belief that they all have put in. It is sometimes sad that people may not recognize Black actors for things they feel proud of. However, the real, authentic fans know who they are, and that’s what’s most important.

Lynn agrees and mentions that how shows are marketed significantly affects the recognition of Black actors. Lynn believes that shows are marketed to specific demographics. If there’s a show with an all-Black cast, then that show is often only marketed for the Black audience. There is no consideration that people of other races might appreciate the show. Such shows all get advertised a certain way based on the assumption networks make. As a result, there’s rarely a time where an all-Black show gets pushed out to everyone.

“Historically, Hollywood has always taught us we don’t translate overseas. But when you start traveling and you can’t walk down the street, you then know that there’s been somebody telling you something all along that’s wrong.”

Larenz believes that Hollywood devalues Black artists and Black folk because it gets talented people at a reduced rate. The truth is that Black actors do translate to a diverse demographic because they are human. The life experiences humans face transcend color and race. Now, authenticity is beginning to show with Hollywood having some real inclusion with colored people who can make the decisions in writing rooms, marketing rooms, PR rooms, and boardrooms. People of color are seen within every part of the totem pole, greenlighting projects that need to be told.

Loretta agrees with Larenz in that progress has been made in the inclusion and authenticity of Hollywood. She notes that there are more Black shows now than she has ever seen in her life. Brand-new young people of color as actors and directors are starting to appear in four or five shows with the inclusion of everybody in the process. However, nobody seems to take notice until success is achieved. Loretta believes this is due to the racism of the United States is built into the system. This built-in racism needs to be overcome, and people of color need to get a break for their chance to be let in.

“If we continue to just tell our stories and find people who are in these positions to greenlight, once again, I think that really, really is important, and it would be certainly a part of our success.”

Nekesa inquires about the success many of the actors present had in the ’90s, specifically in shows like Moesha, Waiting to Exhale, The Steve Harvey Show, and Love Jones. Nekesa asks if there was frustration when realizing that the general community wasn’t noticing the success and cultural influences each of those shows had. Despite this, these shows were making an impact in the Black community, and Nekesa asks if they are happy with that.

Both Loretta and Lynn provide answers to those questions. Loretta believes Love Jones caused a sensation in the community. However, based on Hollywood standards, it was not a box office success. She feels that if the show had the right marketing strategies, the proper funding, and if people at the top treated the show as a major production, then Love Jones would have been a box office success. Despite this, Loretta feels that the show became a classic for Black viewers and an exemplary contribution to the classic cinema of love stories.

Lynn agrees with Loretta because she also feels that it is a great honor to have loyal fans who appreciate the work. While she would love for the whole world to recognize her work, Lynn believes she has the privilege of telling a story that will become a classic, something that’s played from generation to generation of Black people. Lynn will always want more, but she is grateful to have a dedicated audience.

“Longevity. … You have to have a craft. It’s a craft. You have to get those lines down. You have to know how to work with another actor. You have to be good at what you do. And everybody here is very successful at doing what they know how to do.”

Nekesa expresses her amazement in the longevity each actor present for the interview has with the Black community. She believes that telling these Black stories has also helped their longevity by being in the center of those stories. Nekesa asks if any would like to speak about the longevity of their careers in being in Black spaces.

Loretta, Larenz, and Sheryl provide answers to this inquiry. For Loretta, longevity means that an actor needs to be good at what they do. Sheryl agrees and believes that relationships are a big part of maintaining longevity. She references her time filming her first film, A Piece of the Action. During her time on set, Sidney Poitier mentored her and took an interest in the effort she put into her career. Larenz agrees with both Loretta and Sheryl. In addition, Larenz believes that longevity is also a result of the people who came before them that paved the way for future generations.

“For me, I’d have to say, ...I thank my audiences for staying with me, hanging with me, and loving me from show to show to show. This has been probably one of the most amazing things that I have been able to be in an industry that I absolutely love, to do something that I would actually do for free.”

Nekesa feels that being Blackfamous has been enriching because it has allowed actors to play different roles and have so much range. She then asks each actor to describe their relationship to the Black community and the roles that have done the most for their careers.

Sheryl is the first to answer. For her, Dreamgirls, Moesha, Sister Act 2, Ray Donovan, Motherland, and Abbott Elementary have all provided much to her career and relationship with the Black community. She emphasizes that it’s her loyal fans that keep her relevant. She would do it all for free but is thankful she doesn’t have to.

Loretta agrees with Sheryl. Loretta appreciates that she can go anywhere in Los Angeles and anywhere in the world, and she will have an audience of numerous different backgrounds. This is due to the innovations occurring on the internet, Instagram, Netflix, and easily accessible platforms. Actors must thank their audience for loving them because that makes all the difference.

Wendy expresses her appreciation for being in the presence of many actors that she respects. She emphasized that her motto is to say, “Please and thank you.” Wendy recalls when she met with Mara Brock Akil when she was a PA on The Sinbad Show. Wendy encouraged Mara to keep focusing on her writing, and ten years later, Mara became the creator of Girlfriends and The Game.

Larenz also appreciates being in the presence of actors he respects. For him, the community is important. Everyone who has supported him since he was a little kid still remembers some things early in his career. In the end, Larenz is grateful to be in an industry he loves. He couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Larenz believes he has the support of not only his peers but the community that is in Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

Lynn’s passion is to bring humanity to the screen, whether it be big or TV streaming. She takes every role seriously. It can be funny, but she never wants to speak down to her audience. Lynn is grateful for the support of the new and current audiences that come on. Being an excited storyteller, Lynn wishes to tell stories that are interesting and authentic. When one of those successes builds an audience, you can enjoy the work.