1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,520 Speaker 1: My next guest. Body of work has filled the screens 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: of televisions and movie screens all over the world. From 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:10,080 Speaker 1: Eddie Uh from Eddie Southern on the ABC Family's Uh, 4 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: Lincoln Heights, as Luke on the HBO drama and treatment 5 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:17,440 Speaker 1: as a detective Hank Griffin on the long running NBC 6 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:20,959 Speaker 1: series Grim and the movie's Fences directed by my board 7 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:24,479 Speaker 1: Denzel Washington, and Creed Too, which starred Michael B. Jordan, 8 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:27,360 Speaker 1: which stars Michael B Jordan's He was born and raised 9 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 1: in Open, California. He was in the theater program at 10 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 1: Boston University and studied for a summer at the British 11 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:38,199 Speaker 1: Academy of Dramatic Arts program at Oxford University. He's on 12 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: the show today to talk about his new series, Lincoln 13 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 1: Ryan Hunt for the Bone Collector, which premieres Friday, January 14 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: at eight pm Eastern and Pacific seven pm Central, NBC. 15 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:52,240 Speaker 1: Please working for the very first time the money Making 16 00:00:52,280 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 1: Conversation Russell Hornsby, Hey, Hey, Russe, layout that to lay 17 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: you out there, Russell, you know what I'm saying. You know, 18 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 1: you know how to lay it well, you know. For also, 19 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,119 Speaker 1: you know, first of all, congratulations on and I don't 20 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: say congratulated on what you have done, on what you 21 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 1: will be doing, because your resume has allowed you to 22 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: establish your your consistency and your authenticity as a as 23 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 1: a as a professional in this business. And we know 24 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: that's tough to do. We know it's tough to get 25 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:29,400 Speaker 1: serious at last, because sometimes you can't play talked to. 26 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 1: Just before we get started into the interview and everything, 27 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:35,039 Speaker 1: talk about your your experience in Hollywood and the entertainment 28 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:40,319 Speaker 1: business a little bit. Well, you know. Um, First, for me, 29 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,959 Speaker 1: first and foremost, what was most important to me before 30 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 1: and I say this in you know, just in retrospect, 31 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 1: was having studied as an actor, you know, you know 32 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: you as you stated in the intro, studying at boxing 33 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: Boston University, getting my degree in theater arts, having an 34 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 1: opportunity study the British Academy for Dramatic Arts. But more 35 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: importantly for me was being able to spend two years 36 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 1: with August Wilson. Um. I like to say that that 37 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: time I spent with August doing the play Jitney all 38 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:16,360 Speaker 1: over the country and then off Broadway gave me my 39 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 1: master's in life if you will, you know, and in 40 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:26,360 Speaker 1: acting and in life and so it prepared me to 41 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 1: be able to bring forth that that authenticity and and 42 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 1: have a a depth of feeling and personality that feels 43 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: you know, that can't be matched, that you can't um manufacture. 44 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,519 Speaker 1: It has to be in you, you know. And so 45 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 1: it helped me to understand who I was and who 46 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 1: I am, where I come from, so that I was 47 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 1: able to when I walked into LA, when I came 48 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 1: to l A, you know what, it could tell me 49 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: who I was, you know, and put that upon me. 50 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: I already knew. That's why I had a clear understanding 51 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: of that. And it's really really impressive because it shows 52 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: in your style of work. And uh, I gotta tell 53 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: you a little a little fun side story. Stephen A. Smith, 54 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 1: good friend of mine, the talent that managed as well, 55 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: and uh we was on the phone before this interview 56 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 1: was even locked down, and he was saying, hey we Shan, 57 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 1: I got an idea, like what what's Steven? What's idea 58 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,519 Speaker 1: you got to day? Hey man, Mabe that show on 59 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 1: ESPN Playmakers, Playmakers, Man, we need to bring that back, 60 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: I said, I said, first of all, outstanding suggestion. But 61 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: the poles that be may not want to coming back 62 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: because that's series right there. Man, I'm gonna tell you something, brother, 63 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: incredibly uh you know, you know, only eleven episodes are 64 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 1: and but it is stuck, and it's stuck in a 65 00:03:52,840 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: part of Americana as great television, authentic real television. Um, 66 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: you know, just just just talk about that experience a 67 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: little bit because from a viewer standpoint, you know, to 68 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: have him tell him talk to me about that and 69 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: let him know that it's you know that that because 70 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 1: we always talked about producing different television shows and different 71 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: things that you can reboot. And that's why I was 72 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 1: That's why I was in discussion about it. But man, 73 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: that was an incredible uh television production was on ESPN 74 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: were you know. Ironically enough, I while we were shooting 75 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 1: together a dress. After we finished shooting, while it was airing, 76 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 1: I ran into Stephen Ay in Times Square, just in 77 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 1: from the ABC building or right there. Brother, he's a brother. 78 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 1: I love you on that show, playing on that show. 79 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: And I was firstly, last time person, the only time 80 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: I've ever met Stephen A. Smith. But you know, we 81 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:52,359 Speaker 1: just had an opportunity. John isen Draft who created a show, 82 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 1: I mean, he just he was just telling you truth 83 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 1: and as to what he saw, and he mad an 84 00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:00,359 Speaker 1: authentic portrayal of what was happening to athletes, you know, 85 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 1: in professional football. And you know, I appreciate give it. 86 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:11,040 Speaker 1: Getting an opportunity to honestly to tell the truth, you know, 87 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: and not glamorized it and not sensationalizing and not gloss 88 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:20,920 Speaker 1: it over. They were really coming from a representational standpoint, honestly, absolutely, 89 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 1: and I think that's what really I think that's what 90 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: really resonated with audience. Absolutely real it was, and it 91 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: was also outstanding acting. Outstanding acting. Did that because of 92 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 1: the fact that I always tell people in order to 93 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: like a show, you have to be able to take 94 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: the journey with the actor. If the jack actors bring 95 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: you in and you feel a relationship with him, and 96 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 1: on that show, I felt as a viewer, I felt 97 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: a relationship and it was a hit show. So I 98 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: say that because of the fact that you know, you know, 99 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:52,600 Speaker 1: when you say you get the ratings back and you go, man, 100 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 1: we're hit, then you can in your mind you think, 101 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 1: oh man, I'm landed a jackpot, and that is not 102 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: how Hollywood works. Sometimes acts, you know, you know, here's 103 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 1: the show. Add the numbers was delivering the goods. The 104 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: acting was great, and it was and it went away 105 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:12,120 Speaker 1: that probably said a tone for you with Hollywood that wow, 106 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: what tough time is real? Is not real? Correct? Absolutely? 107 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: You know what I what you learned very early is 108 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: that you know, Hollywood is the business of show and 109 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: and it's and it's and it's the business doesn't make sense. 110 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: The show ain't gonna work, and so there are a 111 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 1: lot of people who have to be happy, you know, 112 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,160 Speaker 1: when you put a show on the air, or when 113 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: you put a movie on the screen or what have you. 114 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 1: And again, you're right, I learned very early that nothing 115 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: is guaranteed. But but also though how I was reard, 116 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: how I was raised, coming from Oakland, being black in America, 117 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 1: that I understand that you know that that's that's in me. 118 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:59,240 Speaker 1: So you never take anything for granted. You you know, 119 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:01,320 Speaker 1: what's what what you all you can go by is 120 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: what you have today anymore is not guaranteed, and you 121 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: can't depend on yesterday. Yeah, we're talking to Russell Hornsby 122 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,440 Speaker 1: and his new series is coming out in January on NBC. UM, 123 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: let's talk about that character because that you're playing in 124 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,080 Speaker 1: this when our drama that's on the NBC. Now we 125 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: just talked about the series that need ESPN. You were 126 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,720 Speaker 1: playing a running back, running back, very athletic, very athletic. 127 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: Now you're playing a character there's a quadriplegic, and you 128 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: know that's a you know, I would try to wrap 129 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: my head around how you how you know, because all 130 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 1: your whole life has been a physical life. Walk us 131 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: through the steps of preparation for a role where it 132 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 1: was about you know, your mind, your expressions are really 133 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 1: only going to be in your face. You know, the delivery, 134 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 1: the nuances of the tone. That had to be a 135 00:07:56,360 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: journey for you. Correct, it really did. It really was 136 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:03,760 Speaker 1: a journey Rashan, and but one that I was so 137 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: willing to take and I believe ready for quite honestly, 138 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 1: you know, I'm an actor who I embraced the challenge 139 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 1: and seeing in every level. Uh, you know, I was 140 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: a little nervous, you know, before taking it on, before 141 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 1: we began shooting. I have to be honest about that. 142 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 1: But I knew that I could do it. I knew 143 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 1: I was prepared because I knew that the Lord would 144 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 1: not put me on what they say, Uh, they weren't. 145 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: He would drop me off here, and and so I 146 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: knew that that that I was ready. But for me, 147 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 1: what had prepared me most, quite honestly, for this role 148 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 1: was my ability and my time in school of working 149 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 1: on Shakespeare, and also my time in doing the plays 150 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 1: of August Wilson. Because what we're when we're when we're 151 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:58,119 Speaker 1: talking about see what, well, I feel that what Shakespeare 152 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 1: does with the language is able to bend the language. Right, 153 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 1: you're talking about this high language where all you're doing 154 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: is using your words, my liege, I did deny no prisoners, 155 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 1: but I remember when the fight was done, when I 156 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: was dry with range and extreme toial. Right. So so 157 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 1: that's that's Shakespeare, right. But then you have the beautiful 158 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: expression of August Wilson. Right, so you you marry the 159 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:27,679 Speaker 1: bard and the blues together. So August says, I don't 160 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 1: know about you and Leroy, but Pernell made me kill him. 161 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:32,960 Speaker 1: Ryan called me Champ. I told him my name is King. 162 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:36,520 Speaker 1: He said, yeah, Champ, I go on, I don't say nothing. 163 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 1: He don't know. My daddy killed the man for calling 164 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 1: him about his name. He don't know. He messed with 165 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:44,199 Speaker 1: King heavy the second. So that's rhythm. Now you hear 166 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: what I mean? We marry the bard and the Blues 167 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: of August Wilson together. And so what I like to 168 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 1: call for Lincoln Ryan, who is a C four C 169 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 1: five quadriplegic. What now what I what I would I 170 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:09,080 Speaker 1: feel I brought to Lincoln Mine is cerebral scragging right, yes, 171 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: because it's in his head and all he has is 172 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:16,600 Speaker 1: the words on the page, you know, with which to 173 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 1: use to express himself. He can't walk a certain way, 174 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: he can't, just have to use his mind and his 175 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: words hangout. Awesome. We're talking about man Russell will to 176 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:33,199 Speaker 1: the Russell Hornsby. He's the star of the new series 177 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:37,040 Speaker 1: on NBC Star Mini Series and in fact coming back 178 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 1: home because he's on Graham on NBC for a long 179 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 1: time on Friday nights Friday Night. Brother, I was just 180 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: watch on Friday Nights man Lincoln Ryan Hunt for Their Bone. 181 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,719 Speaker 1: Collected with Your premier is Friday, January ten at a 182 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,439 Speaker 1: pm Eastern and Pacific seven pm Central on NBC. We 183 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: were right back with more this interview. Uh Shakespeare me up. Brother. 184 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:58,319 Speaker 1: You know I'm from fifth Ward and Houston, Texas. You're 185 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 1: from Oakland. You're doing a number on me. Russell, Hi, 186 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 1: this is Rushan McDonald. You're listening to money making conversations 187 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 1: on the phone. Is Russell Hornsby Variety UH named him. 188 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 1: Wanted the ten actors to watch because he's a massive, 189 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 1: impressive catalog of films we talked about they hate you, 190 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:23,199 Speaker 1: give Cree to Oscar nominated Fences, Netflix seven Seconds and 191 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 1: Showtimes their Affair a Graham, which can go on and on. 192 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 1: You know, the thing I love about it is that 193 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 1: the dynamics of what you see Oakland, California, people can 194 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 1: stereotype you. People can say that's uh, you know that 195 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: dream that you have right there, young man, don't work 196 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 1: no place else, Go get a normal job. And he 197 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 1: but that isn't that didn't That didn't Ryan with me. 198 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: They didn't Ryan with him either because the fifth wor Texas. 199 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 1: They told me the same thing and and say, kid, 200 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: talking about your opportunities are limited on what is available 201 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 1: to you. I went to my opportunities and that basically 202 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:58,120 Speaker 1: when I when I when I did my research on 203 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: your stories about what you did. You were not afraid 204 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: of the journey. That's why you went to Boston. That's 205 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:07,440 Speaker 1: why you went over the Oxford. Talk about that journey 206 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 1: before we get back into the series a little bit. 207 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: You know, um going to bostoniverseity and coming raised being 208 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: born and raised in Oakland, California. You know, that was 209 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: a time when you know, the drugs had crack had hit, 210 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: and you know, brothers and sisters were dropping like flies 211 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 1: and the truth be told. You know, being a young brother, 212 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: I didn't necesary, I didn't grow up in the hood necessarily, 213 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: but you know, you saw the adverse effects of okay, 214 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 1: and I was honestly, I was just I was scared. 215 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: And so I said to my mother, I said to myself, 216 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: I wanted to get out of here and go as 217 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:48,240 Speaker 1: far as I can. Ironically enough, the points from San 218 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:55,080 Speaker 1: Francisco to Boston, the two frisits ap points of this country, right, yes, yes, yes, yes, 219 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: and so and I and I and I wanted and 220 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 1: I knew that I wanted to do to you know, 221 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: to try my hat and acting. And so I went 222 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:06,080 Speaker 1: to went to Boston University. The only thing my mother 223 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 1: said to me is that you can't quit, and so 224 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: you can go pursue this dream of yours, but you 225 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 1: cannot quit. And while I when I got there, while 226 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:20,080 Speaker 1: I wanted to uh, because it's just so many things 227 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: are happening in my world had turned upside down my 228 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:26,440 Speaker 1: first time really being away from home. But the echoes 229 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 1: ringing out my mother's voice. You can't quit, So I 230 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 1: keep going. From my junior year going into my senior year, 231 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 1: I would go home and you know, I had a 232 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: job at rex fanam making a couple of dollars with 233 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 1: your kid. One before the sum of my uncle said 234 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 1: to me, Russell, why do you are we going home? 235 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 1: My uncle lived in Boston. He said, why don't you 236 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 1: do something you know in the summer. And I was like, wow. 237 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: It just never dawned on me that I could do 238 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 1: something else. So I looked up this pro this theer, 239 00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:03,480 Speaker 1: the program and the British Academy and Dramatic Arts and 240 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 1: and I applied my audition got in. I had to 241 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: hustle all all during the school year and just before 242 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:11,960 Speaker 1: I went to you know, make up this money so 243 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:15,679 Speaker 1: I could pay to go. And for three almost two 244 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 1: and a half months, it was some of the most 245 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: the best time of my life up to that point, 246 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:24,720 Speaker 1: and one of the most memorable times in my life 247 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: because I saw people from all over the world come 248 00:14:28,640 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: into this place where the dream all different kind of 249 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: talent levels, all different colors, accents, uh, shake size everything 250 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 1: and just to be able to interact a black boy 251 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: from Oakland to be you know, in London, England and 252 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:47,239 Speaker 1: interacting with all these people. And all it was about 253 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,600 Speaker 1: up to this point was about your talent. Are you hungry? 254 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: Do you want to learn? Are you willing to step 255 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: out of your comfort zone? Show it's what you have 256 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: to offer and learn a lot about myself and that 257 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:03,760 Speaker 1: sess and that said to me at that time, this 258 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: is what I'm gonna do. This, I'm gonna procuse this 259 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: and full board. I'm going all out. And the truth is, 260 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: ra Sean, there was never a plan, b bro. You 261 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: know what you mean. You're driven by that passion now, 262 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: but it was never never was a plan. Beat. Well, 263 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 1: I'm talking to Rocket Hornsby. Uh what do they call 264 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 1: that a work? Uh? You know we thought informed me 265 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: to get a job an employment application. I ain't got 266 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 1: to feel none of that, you know what. I'm talking 267 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 1: to Russell Hornsby. He's starting a new series Lincoln Ryan 268 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: Hunt for the Bone Collector with the premiers Friday, January 269 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 1: tenth at a pm Eastern and Pacific seven pm Central NBC. Okay, 270 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: let's put some pressure on this. This previous role was 271 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 1: done in the movie by Mr Denzel Washington, who also 272 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: directed You and Fences. Absolutely, here's my whole thought process 273 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 1: to this. Because your physical guy, I've seen you or 274 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: you know what, I've seen you running and fighting in Graham, 275 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 1: I've seen you, I've seen you pack. Can you always 276 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: play a detective? You know what I'm saying, You're always 277 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 1: somewhere protecting people. And so now you're in this role. 278 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: Did did you? Did you have anybody strap you down 279 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 1: to get used to like not move? Don't move? You 280 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: can't move? What what? I'm just trying to wrap my 281 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: head around that because it can't be as simple as hey, 282 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: you know, I'm a great actor on this a method moment, 283 00:16:28,640 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 1: just be still? How how many weeks did he get 284 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:34,520 Speaker 1: you to wrap your head around that process of being 285 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: a quadripreely quadriplegic. Um. You know what, Honestly, I'll be 286 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: honest with you, this is not something I could have 287 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: done five, seven or ten years ago. Now the truth 288 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: because I am I'm forty five years old, I'm athleted 289 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: but forty five and and now I understand how when 290 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: I was coming up, the old folks could just sit 291 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: on the porch all day. Why, you know, because I mean, 292 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:04,959 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm pretty found on athletic, but I'm tired, 293 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: you know what I mean? Time not still. I know, 294 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 1: I got miles to go before I sleep. Looks like 295 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 1: getting twisted. But the stillness, the stillness that I was 296 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 1: able to get, it was just based on age, quite honestly, 297 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:22,919 Speaker 1: because I can, i'd have peace in my life and 298 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 1: I can be still before you know, five, ten, fifteen 299 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:28,959 Speaker 1: years ago, when you're a kid, you a youngster, got 300 00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: all this energy, got faster and just running through you. 301 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: You can't do still for nothing. What are we gonna do? 302 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 1: What we're gonna get into, what I'm gonna see? We 303 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 1: want to get from what we're doing the night, what 304 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 1: we're doing to morrow night. All that and just having 305 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: the just having a sense of stillness of age that 306 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 1: I didn't have before. Honestly, that's what helped me, quite honestly, 307 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: because I'm again, I'm secure in who I am. I'm 308 00:17:56,280 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 1: securing my manhood, I'm secure in my blackness, and I'm 309 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,919 Speaker 1: secure and I'm at peace, and I can be still 310 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: because I'm not running from I'm not running from anybody, 311 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 1: and I'm running to anything. I'll take my time and 312 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: I'll get there. You know that saying. Remember I first 313 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,119 Speaker 1: heard in the movie of Colors with Robert Duval and 314 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 1: Sean penn Or. In the movie, and Robert Duval tells 315 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:24,400 Speaker 1: the story. He says, tells the story about the old 316 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 1: bully and the young bulls. He says, Dad, he said, there, 317 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 1: look at them cows down at the bottom of the hill. 318 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,120 Speaker 1: He said, let's write down and get one of them cows. 319 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 1: And the old bull says, no, son, let's walk down 320 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: and get them all. Well, I'm an older bull. Now 321 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 1: I walk You mean doing right? But us we know 322 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:52,880 Speaker 1: in this series you didn't. You're not doing the job 323 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 1: by yourself, and I want to give you time and 324 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:57,199 Speaker 1: for you to, uh, you know, shout out some of 325 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: the incredible cast as part of it. I got my boy, 326 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:06,640 Speaker 1: are right there from the sopranos, Michael and Arrow. Come on, now, sopranos, 327 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:09,359 Speaker 1: you know so so so, just let's run down some 328 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: of the cast. That's that's that's putting down this show. 329 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,119 Speaker 1: I know the pilot was shot in New York City 330 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 1: in Central Park, one of my favorite cities in the country, 331 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:18,879 Speaker 1: the New York Subway. So you kept it authentic. That 332 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 1: experience had to be. As always, every every project you 333 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: do has his own unique experience, but the unique experiences 334 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,920 Speaker 1: tied to the actors that share the same screens with you, 335 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:31,359 Speaker 1: are the same stage as we well, you know we 336 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: have uh, you know my co star who plays a 337 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:38,199 Speaker 1: million sacks, Aria Cabell. She's just wonderful. We've had a 338 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,399 Speaker 1: great time working together and you know we're we're you know, 339 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:44,879 Speaker 1: on the show, we're essentially partners, you know, and working 340 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 1: together we have you know that we said it with St. 341 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 1: Michael Imperioli. You know, you would think when you meet Michael, 342 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:54,680 Speaker 1: you would think that Michael is gonna be one way man. 343 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:59,400 Speaker 1: It's so genuine, so generous a spirit, and it's such 344 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: a really wonderful person to work with. Um. You know 345 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: a dear old friend of mine from the theater, Robin 346 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:07,480 Speaker 1: rough who plays the player my help nurse on the show, 347 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:12,200 Speaker 1: Uh Ellington brook lyons just a wonderful, wonderful cast of people. 348 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 1: And again we're talking about people with talent, you know 349 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:21,120 Speaker 1: what I mean, Like with who know what they're doing, 350 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:23,880 Speaker 1: who another way around the set, another way around the script, 351 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 1: and look to elevate material that's so important. And you know, 352 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:32,880 Speaker 1: the the original writers d J. Boyd and Mark being 353 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:38,000 Speaker 1: being coldly uh, just wonderful writers. And our show on 354 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:41,800 Speaker 1: the Bury O'Brien, just some really good people who really 355 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: care about what we're doing. You know, it's it's beautiful 356 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: when I see you to roll out those names, because 357 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 1: let's just go back to you, my friend, your resume. 358 00:20:53,840 --> 00:20:55,960 Speaker 1: You know, like you said that it becomes a body 359 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 1: of work. And when you come on a set, it's like, 360 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:01,119 Speaker 1: you know, it's like it's like it's like Tom Brady 361 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,560 Speaker 1: coming on the set. You know, you know, oh wow, Okay, 362 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: I gotta step up my game. I gotta step up 363 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 1: my game. Okay, because he threw the ball, I better 364 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:12,240 Speaker 1: catch it. Okay, he made the ball to run through 365 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 1: the whole, I better trying to find a hole. If 366 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:17,120 Speaker 1: he passes back to drop back the pass, I better 367 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 1: block and not allow him to get sacked. So I felt, 368 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:24,040 Speaker 1: I felt. I feel honestly that you know, Variety just 369 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,600 Speaker 1: doesn't hand pick people out and say you wanted the 370 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:30,120 Speaker 1: top ten actors to watch you know, your your resume, 371 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:32,880 Speaker 1: you know Shakespeare, just quoting it doing my radio show, 372 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,840 Speaker 1: going from going from Oakland to Boston. Then then you're 373 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:38,920 Speaker 1: then getting pitched in the idea, Hey man, what you're 374 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:40,919 Speaker 1: doing for the summer, I'm gonna find something to do. 375 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 1: Guess what you had to qualify? You had to qualify 376 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:47,119 Speaker 1: to do that. They weren't handed out those opportunities. And 377 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 1: when you when you, when you when you you know, 378 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:53,399 Speaker 1: Playmakers was in two thousand three, come on that. Sixteen years. 379 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 1: I have seen you on TV consistently and the movies consistently. 380 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:01,439 Speaker 1: So when you walk on that set, remember this rustle. 381 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 1: All the energy is being produced by you, and it 382 00:22:06,880 --> 00:22:09,200 Speaker 1: just permeates to the rest of the cast because they 383 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:11,439 Speaker 1: have to step up to your resume, they have to 384 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:13,680 Speaker 1: step up to your work ethic. And I think it's 385 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:17,240 Speaker 1: beautiful because on this particular series you can't even move. 386 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:23,119 Speaker 1: That's right, that's right, that's right. You know, nothing happened 387 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:28,080 Speaker 1: by accident. Um A wise man and dear friend of mine, 388 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 1: Stephen Henderson, used to tell me things don't just happen. 389 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 1: Things happen to Jess And it happened by virtue of 390 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 1: the work. That you put in and your willingness to 391 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 1: do the work. But I have to honestly wet we 392 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:44,560 Speaker 1: brought it. We raised his name earlier. I have to 393 00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: give a lot of kudos to Denzel Washington, and the 394 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: reason being is that I had the opportunity to do 395 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:54,360 Speaker 1: in to do to be a part of the revival 396 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 1: offenses on Broadway, and and then to be able to 397 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: come back six years later and do the film, to 398 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 1: be hand kicked by him. You have a game to 399 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,480 Speaker 1: do this film and giving a chance to share the 400 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 1: stage and the screen with one of I think the 401 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 1: greatest actors got for Breton, honestly, and it said to me, 402 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:21,160 Speaker 1: it instilled me with confidence, that said, you are here, 403 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:26,879 Speaker 1: so don't retreat back, you forward. And it was the 404 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:29,080 Speaker 1: who he said. He says, no, no, no, You're supposed 405 00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:32,720 Speaker 1: to be here because because I remember asking him. I said, 406 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:36,080 Speaker 1: I remember saying to him when were the first day 407 00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: of shoot against him a d thank you said, thank 408 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: you for what I said, you know, you know, because 409 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:42,439 Speaker 1: for having be here, you know, for giving me the 410 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 1: opportunity not a brother. So I didn't give you nothing 411 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:48,119 Speaker 1: and you earned it. That's what I'm saying. That's what 412 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:52,880 Speaker 1: you're supposed to be here. That from that, that just 413 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:55,240 Speaker 1: told me everything I needed to know and everything I 414 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:58,520 Speaker 1: needed to hear. Well, Russell, he just validated ro Sean McDonald. 415 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:00,920 Speaker 1: That's all I was saying about your brother. That's all 416 00:24:00,960 --> 00:24:04,119 Speaker 1: I was saying about yo, your your career. It validates 417 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:07,040 Speaker 1: anytime you're are going to say now you're humbleness makes 418 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 1: you say thank you. What we all should do. We 419 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 1: should all not assume that that happened because who I am, 420 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:16,880 Speaker 1: because people can look the other way. But no, my man, 421 00:24:17,080 --> 00:24:19,640 Speaker 1: you're special. He's starting on my he's starting on Money 422 00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 1: Making Conversation right now, but he's gonna be starting on 423 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:25,159 Speaker 1: NBC Lincoln Ryan Hunt for the Bone Collector, which your 424 00:24:25,160 --> 00:24:28,480 Speaker 1: premier is Friday, January tenth at a pm Eastern and 425 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:32,160 Speaker 1: Pacific seven pm Central on NBC. My man, Russell, thank 426 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:35,520 Speaker 1: you for coming on my show. I hope you understand that. Brother. 427 00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 1: I'm a fan, but I also do my homework because 428 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 1: I know what you do and what you deliver, which 429 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:42,280 Speaker 1: I brother, thank you so much for taking the time. 430 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 1: I really appreciated a pleasure meeting you, and I would 431 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:47,520 Speaker 1: tell Steven. I'm gonna tell Stephen there I talked to 432 00:24:47,560 --> 00:24:48,440 Speaker 1: you today too as well.