November 17, 2021 • 41 mins
Alimi Ballard is Marcel Dumas on the hit show, Queen of the South, and currently can be seen on the new Peacock series, One of Us is Lying. He sits with America's Podcaster, Kurt Caceres, to help us understand the importance of "listening". Often times you'll hear couples in arguments and one always complains that their partner "never listens". Well it applies to real life, but even more to the craft of acting. If an actor doesn't understand the importance, then they will never sound organic, real and authentic. Alimi said he used to study the best of them all, Robert DeNiro. He said DeNiro was the master at listening when other actors were talking, watching all the nuances, details and depth of story happening inside his mind and body as he took in every word the other actor was giving. It is the key to ultimate transcendence as an actor. He also shares his approach to every character, and helps us understand the difference between "method" and "imagination". And finally, he shares publicly for the very first time, his two absolutely unbreakable rules for the industry of Hollywood.
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Please Follow and Subscribe to the Podcast.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Ladies and gentlemen, please take yourseats. The show is about to begin.
It's a great set up. Yes, it's a good place. Come
back. The funny thing is wehaven't been trying to get him in here
(00:20):
for a year. He's so busy, and then all of a sudden he's
like, I'm coming in and comingin. He walked by my house because
he listened in every home. He'slike, oh, I'm looking for New
Zealand in a week. Bye,okay, let's do this you guys right,
yeah, okay, we're warmed up. Now, we're all warmed up.
Camera's rolling anyway. Three two one, Welcome to What's your Name?
(00:47):
In the podcast? This is America'spodcast. Turkis Sarah's coming at you.
This is exciting. We got tobe here across from me. Ladies.
First, we got someone who's astaple of the show. It's been a
while because we took a little high, but we have back here. We
have Josane mad Oh what's gone?I have most fears smiling. You're a
(01:10):
field, Yes you are. Andhow in the house to see you?
Really good? Yeah, you camein smiling and raising as always Because sometimes
we don't hear from somebody. Yougotta worry, like what's going on,
But it's good to have your yourenergy come back here. I love you
so much and it's like it feelsgood to have you back, you know,
the two you especially, I don'tsee him not much either. But
so have you guys in here?So you she've been world traveling and speaking
(01:36):
of you, the guy crossed meright next to Jasone. We have everybody's
favor. He makes us laugh andmakes us cry. He inspires us with
his stories. Here's a lot oftrouble we have here. Anthony is easy.
What's up guy? What's done?He has been I mean he's been
(01:57):
traveling. He's been in a realguy. He's been in Lease and now
there's this location, the build.He's been traveling, the work. They
just step back from New York doingan episode of Equalizer, and he's been
working non stop. He's got agood run. Like he's so congratulations.
I would say, working though,but I appreciate it. Hopefully it'll start
read working, you know. Butbut now you say, I appreciate the
(02:17):
shout out. But we all knowthis show right here. What's name again?
Is for actors and entertainers, andwe all know it's cyclical often.
So you went through a law.Now you you're at the top of the
peak again. So that's how itis, that's how we do it.
Yeah, well no, it didn'tmean. I still get a lot of
like what's your name again? Imean for real, exactly. People look
at me and they're like, what'syour name again. That's that's where this
(02:38):
show, the concept started from.Like you get that. I'm sure you
get that all the time. Andyou're speaking of you the other you over
here. Okay, he doesn't getthat because they know his name, you
know what I mean. They maynot know how to pronounce it right,
but they know who they know whothis guy over here. Man. So
first of all, your birthday,Happy birthday recently October seventeenth minus October eighteenth,
(03:02):
fellow Leebra. I was gonna say, that's why the first day we
met. We always have this connection, Like I mean, you're like that
with every I see. You justrespect everybody. But the first day we
met because his kid, his youngest, and my daughter went to the same
school for a while and then youguys have moved on. We'll be at
that school next year. But so, and then I see him around the
(03:23):
neighborhood because we're neighbors, and it'severy time, it's just all of a
sudden, he radiates, and it'slike, I want to like give you
a hug, shake your hand,because you you exude charisma and energy and
positivity. And just like Anthony hadsaid when he had worked with you,
that's all he remembers about you waspositivity. And we have here in the
(03:46):
studio and I want your gonna bein the podcast The Great Ali Me.
You guys have seen him on everything, Well, welcome, welcome, this
is I'm so to it. I'vebeen looking forward to this for a while
(04:08):
because, first of all, Ididn't even realize it either. I was
going trying to go through some ofmy old clips about a year ago and
we had just reconnected. I sawyou in the neighborhood and I thought,
wait a second, I'm in ascene with him on a show, and
I didn't even realize it. SoI'm gonna show you a clip found it
of him and I in something.Um right here ready, Oh my god,
(04:32):
Oh there he is. Oh thatguy, look at that and that
did you do you remember that scene? Or are you one of those groups
I remember that day. It's strange, you know, you know, you
generally can't always access all your memories, but one thing could jog it and
(04:55):
it's in there, you just can'tget to it. But one smell,
one person, like you remember thewhole day. That's so true, you
know how it flashes back, youknow, definitely the older you get,
you like I can't remember that.Someone can say a key phrase and you'd
be like, yo, when youhear a song and it's like it sounds
cliche, but sometimes smells like smellof nineteen eighty eight will come back to
(05:15):
me. Yeah. Well they sayit is our most nostalgic sense, because
it's crazy smells, our most nostalgicsense. This is, this is this
might be for me, you know, that's what does it for me?
A smell I'll bringing back this yearhow I used to feel in it,
Like I get this burning in myheart because I feel like I'm there for
a minute. It's like ouch,yeah, And sometimes so seeing that I'm
(05:38):
like, I remember that day.And for those of you listening, what
we just watched was an episode ofNumbers that I did. Let's not name
the year is a while ago andwe didn't know each other that day.
And I obviously remember, because whenyou're a guest star on the show,
you remember everything. It's one episode, but you're a regular on there,
so you're you have the seasons ofmemories and smells correct to remember, correct,
(05:58):
you know? So I mean tohim and I met on the show
as a series regular, it's there'sa picture back there with me. Hichelash
baz Ali Man a multi Academy Awardwinner, and it's time to share with
everybody else. He's got a settling. Other people win awards. Um.
But so that's the thing I rememberbeing a series regular, and yeah,
you do so many episodes, butthings will click sometimes will be like,
(06:21):
hey, remember when this happened orthis happened all of a sudden you flash
back to that for those you listening. Now, this guy, I'm just
gonna name some things real quickly.It's gonna bullet some some names of things.
He's worked on, The Cities,Malcolm and Nash Bridges, NYPD,
Blue Philly, the Division, ncisin Plain Sight, Risolian Aisles, Drop
(06:44):
Dead Diva, Hollywood Heights, whichI also worked on, Hollywood Heights,
Uh Bones, I've worked on allthese two Scorpion Castle, Criminal Minds,
swat All Rise, and it justkeeps going. But he is most recently
known known for playing the role ofMarcel du Moss. The South with Yancy.
(07:09):
Did you have any seas with Yancy? Was different? Yes? Yeah,
I saw you make a post abouthim Key being just amazing, like
doing amazing. He's so beautiful.Yeah, yeah, so is Yancey.
I don't know if you have betterget here, man, I know a
lot of people that know him welland a great guy, so Queens South.
(07:34):
But now you're playing the role KevinClay and this is I didn't even
realize that. The first step beenseeing this thing's blowing up on Peacock.
It's called one of us is lying. Yeah, man, yes, that's
freaking amazing. Thank you. Ididn't even realize round. Have you heard
of that show? A lot ofhYP I saw billboards and the reason why
I responded to it is because it'sthe reality of the world. Yeah,
(07:56):
everybody I look at, I'm like, well, one of us is lying,
you know what say it. I'mlooking around this room like the game
of Clue, like everyone's a suspectabout something. I love, I love,
I love the t you're in thatso he could talk to I don't.
I don't know much about that show, sort is it? Why?
It's based off a YA which standsfor young adult novel series, So it's
(08:20):
centered around young people. And you'vebeen tweeting about it, and someone tweeted
back and this is this is theshow in five words, the Breakfast Club
with murder. Wow, that's that'smy kids. You know what, my
kids are gonna love it? Doit club with Murder Club. That someone
(08:41):
I was like, that is Ihope Peacock is listening. That's the that's
the hashtag quickly down. So it'sabout sentence around four students, high school
students who are accused of murdering theirclassmate, you know, accused. They
(09:03):
are suspected of murdering the classmate.And my son happens to be one of
the four students. So you're thedad of one of the the father of
one of the four who's accused ofwho's accused. So there, I mean,
because that's pretty harrowing because you havekids, and I mean, can
you imagine you actually had to facethat face that as a father? No,
(09:24):
I can't even so that's why I'msaying it. Yeah, speaking of
which, because I'm actually glad.That's gonna help me segue to something I
had for later. But that worksout great. Is as an actor?
I was gonna ask you later,but let's ask it now. How often
do you use your imagination as opposedto real life connections to your work?
(09:46):
You know, for an example,God bless and thank you that your children
have never been in serious trouble,my God. So obviously you can't connect
to that. So what it wouldbe your approach? You're gonna have to
use imagination? Right? What wouldbe your approach to What is your approach
to this? You've already shot abunch of episodes, right, we shot
all of it in New Zealand.Okay, that's the one. Yeah,
that's the show. Yeah, that'sthe show. I figured you were in
(10:07):
New Zealand doing some type of medievalthings. No, it was every time.
It's funny you said that. Theminute you said he was in New
Zealand, I was kind of lookingat him like, did he have like
a bigger beer? Was he like? I thought he was with Peter Jackson
speaking has come to me? AndI was like exactly. Meanwhile he's doing
(10:33):
like a breakfast exactly. I wasnever thought that you shot that over there.
That's a bunch of things down there. Man. Of course New Zealand
Peter Jackson made it famous with Lordof the Ring, you know. And
it's North Island, south South Island, so Auckland's in the north. It's
a nice city, reminding you ofSeattle or Vancouver. Oh the photos you
were constantly posting. I was like, oh, bro, oh, it's
(10:54):
just magical. That must have beensuch an amazing experience. The Shire you
know where Bill, bill Bag andlive. That's in the North Island,
not about four hours drive from Auckland. We went, we drove down there,
Bro, you went there. WeOh, I could think the wife
and the kids they came the wholetime or no, yeah, they moved
(11:15):
out there with them. It wasone of those things where I was like,
it would have been too too longaway, you know what I mean.
Health, I mean, everyone isdifferent minds, you yes, but
you know, I just don't knowif I could be away from the wife
and the kids, I don't know. My son would have like I don't.
They don't like that. I thinkkids think like where where are you.
I think sometimes you met, theyget angry with you, and I
(11:37):
was like, I don't think tryingto understand. Can you gotta go get
make the money? But your boysare like that are too long? One
month? They could live four months. My kids have been like, yeah,
I just didn't want to have to, you know what I mean,
fix something that I messed with that. But you know what the thing that
bothers me is, you know Ilive in the neighborhood where the original Breakfast
(11:58):
club, the place where they shotit's it's in It's why it's in Haircock
Park that the high school? Yeah, why why are they going all?
I mean, is it take placein New Zealand. Well, first of
all, that's like a question forpeople like way above my page. You
know what I mean. Coronavirus thepandemic did a lot to a lot of
(12:18):
things, and are supposed to bein Vancouver. I know they shot one
Vancouver and then the world shut down. Yeah, so this is probably yes,
you know. And and and inNew Zealand had no COVID because they
had being COVID the first year.Australia and New Zealand were clean. They
were straight, and they were ableto That's what it was. Okay,
they were able to get down thereand get it done. And I know
(12:39):
there's probably a good dollar break forthe producers for you know, for the
p of course you get the breaks. Um, and now do they what's
the difference with the rules down there? Is it Mass twenty for seven pretty
similar? How are they so cleandown there? What's different there? Leadership?
I don't want to get. Imean, that's going to get into
leadership like yeah, but dude,no, no, you two weeks in
(13:00):
quarantine, but it's run by theby the by the military, whether you
are arrested or not. You landedthe airport two weeks, they put you
in a hotel. They feed youthree squares a day, so they are
on top of it. Rid attestedevery day every day, every two days.
Once you're out of there, gowow. So no mask, nothing
(13:22):
because I didn't want to. Ididn't want to miss what we did.
Real quick. Um, the firstquestion before I forget, I don't want
to forget. Yeah, how didyou approach being a father with a child
that is accused of murder? Okay, as an actor? So for as
an actor you asked me it wasa multi pronged question. You know,
do you use imagination? You know, do you uh do you imagine if
(13:45):
it was your child? And sometimesit's a combination of both. You know,
for me personally as a quote unquotemethod actor, Um, the jump
off the building approach is when thescenario you're in becomes real. Yeah,
so I'm not using my kids inmy imagination. You know the world,
the moon is really about to crashinto Fourth Earth. You know, your
(14:07):
civilization is about to be wiped out? How would that make you feel?
Go? You know, so thatis my boy over there, and he's
been a key he's an athlete.In the script, you know on Cooper
Clay is a D one baseball pitcher. He's about to he's being drafted there.
You know, he's about to gowhole life ahead of me. He's
(14:28):
suddenly accused of murder. And forKevin Clay, that's an impossibility. Yeah,
I am the I'm the Tiger dadon him twenty four hours? Where
would he have time to plan tokill me? Kevin? Well, my
guy, he's like, that's likehe's got caught up in some bullshit because
(14:48):
he's sitting next to some kid inclass. There's no way my son would
murder anyone. Well, so mywhole approach the place. Look it out
of here, you guys. Youguys are all off your rock or what.
I don't care who other kid itcould be. It's not my son.
So that's how to get in it. Lover. I already felt it
right right now. Yeah, there'speople that have to actually deal with that
(15:15):
in real life. Like did Imean his parents? He's only twenty two.
He's a kid. He's a kid, you know, So, Jose,
I don't want you to be forgotten. You had Look, please,
when my time comes, I'll takeit. It's you know, you mentioned
a lot about you talked about yourkids, and you have a beautiful wife,
(15:35):
your who have had the pleasures absolutelyand your two kids. How do
you since we're talking about children andfamily, like, how do you balance
your career and family time because youknow some people find that find that really
difficult. You know, um,yes, throughout your career because long career
and you've been married for a longtime, you know what I mean.
(15:58):
So every infamy, everyone that's different. Yeah, I'm gonna attach dad,
Okay, so I know every fatherlike I didn't know my dad. So
my dad was not gonna catch dad. I mean when I was twenty,
so it would have been different forhim. Yeah, you know what I
mean, Like, I'm not thatguy. Yeah, so you experienced no
father. So now you're like,I'm in there. I'm gonna make break,
(16:18):
I make lunch, I take mykids to school. Yeah, so
I'm not that guy. And everyone there's no shade, and I can
attest that I've seen them together.Yeah, and I'm like, you guys
should be like on the cover ofa magazine, the way that, the
way that the lake, you couldfeel the love, you could feel the
bond, you can feel the connection. Yeah, it's like it's like the
four of them when they walk,it's beautiful. Did you meet my mom
(16:41):
back in the day, because Iknow you from New York? Did you
did you ever meet my mom?Speaking of it, so, I have
a great mom. Yeah, Ikind of got a sense of how parenting
should be from her. Yeah,you know what I mean, hands on,
and this is everyone is different.There's no judgment in that. You
built how you're built. So I'mgonna attach dad, I'm gonna attach father
and attached you know, you know, but I'm attached to my fans.
(17:07):
So even with all the work,you never let it. Um, well,
I wouldn't have taken the job ifI couldn't go with my family.
Yeah did you did you say thatto the Yeah? Yeah, yeah,
Well it's not that's not it.That's not an ego. You could do
what you can do, yes,and you can't do what you can't do
right right, you know, likeI can't play like a child molester,
(17:30):
you know, And there's great actorsthat can do they don't. They're built
differently. Yes, you are whatyou are, like psychically, I can't
even put my mind into that headframe, like I can't. I love
that you just brought that up,because that happens to all actors. Yes,
it's things. Well it's probably happenedto us all. Something comes across
your desk, you're like, oh, I don't know, I'm this is
(17:52):
to connect with it. So there'scertain things that you just push that thing
aside. Yeah, that's because youdon't you don't believe in it, and
you can. We wouldn't even doit justice, That's that's the point.
Yeah, there's great actors that cando great work with that. I want
to be there messing with your script, trying to get you to change it,
(18:12):
fussing with it when you can getout the way unless someone who can
really embrace what they wrote bring itto life. And why you know,
I don't have any kind of ridiculousnarcissistic ego. And they even went in
talking to the producers. I wasjust like, you know, I'm not
single, you know, fy,I'm looking down a barrel of fifty you
know, I got a wife andtwo kids. I can't. I won't
(18:33):
be able to make that journey ifit's one. If you needed me for
one month, great, we allfuck it out. Whatever it's gonna be
three to four months. They're like, at least that, And I was
like, guys, you know Iwould. I would have to. Is
there a space? You know?You asked politely? Can Yeah? You
know I can't do it. Youcan. But that says a lot about
you that you actually actually asked andsaid I need that, because I think
(18:55):
everyone can agree, even the producers. I'm sure they're all parents. They
get it. If they're parents,yet they get it, which brings me
to my next question, because yes, because we tend to sometimes have the
same Okay, so my next myquestion is because we were flowing right.
(19:18):
Yes, Um, like all ofyour projects we've named them like and everything
that I've seen you in have showedauthority. I showed um great poise,
dignity. As far as just beingan African American man actor, is that
intentional? Do you make intentional choicesfor your roles? Um, based on
(19:38):
the roles that I've seen you play, like, Yeah, you bring a
lot of dignity to Um. Thankyou. First of all, thank you.
Yeah, that's a that's a compliment. I'm gonna take that as a
compliment. It is. I'm gonnahere that's compliment. Yes, thank you.
Yeah, it's true. If youlook at things, you see,
(20:00):
Yeah, he's always a distinguished gentlemanwith suiting a tie. He doesn't have
a tirely I'm trying to see howmuch to say yes, No, I
mean it's beautiful to watch, Um, I mean one of my favorite scenes.
I mean, I've seen you alot of things, but obviously Queen
Sugar. Yes, Um, thatelevator come Home My Queen elevator scene is
(20:26):
for sure, you know, justthe chemistry between both of you guys.
But I love the fact that that'swhy I'm asking the question because I want
to know if the roles that you'repicking, you know, as a performer
for myself. As for myself,I am very intentional about what I play.
So is that a choice? Likeyou? You know? Okay,
(20:48):
Um, I could I can onlyspeak for myself. Yeah, I don't
not. I don't want to gotoo far, you know. I guess
maybe there is no too far.So yes, um. The only disclaimer
is it shouldn't have to be thatway. But you know, um,
you know, I'm born in thisday and age. You know, I'm
(21:08):
American, you know, from NewYork, proud of a year year.
I'm born in the day and theage I'm born in. So the issues
of the world were here before Igot here. There's a lot going on,
you know, when I landed inthe spot, you know what I
mean. And so like my kids, I tell you, you're at your
(21:29):
place, look around, see what'sgoing on. So I'm born, I
got my MoMA. You're looking aroundwhat's going on? And you know,
a representation just happened to be problematicin the country I was born. And
depending on what demographic you're born into, so you gotta be conscious that they're
some misrepresentation going on, and ifyou're in a position you know to kind
of adjust that that's not really yourjob. But you're born on the day,
(21:52):
bro, you know what I mean. Like, you know, you
go to the park and there's hoodlum'sover there. I gotta tell my kids,
dude, wild dogs. You know, you didn't put dogs there,
You didn't put the hoodlums there,but they there. Yeah, check it,
you know, act accordingly. Andso I come into a world,
into an industry. You know,we all can go into the history of
American cinema and you know, representationof people of color or you know,
pick your you know your your demographic. I mean the only you know people
(22:17):
you know, like you know,the Chinese Americans that everyone's got an issue
depending on what day of the calendarwe're looking at. And so when it
comes to African people of color,African Americans specifically, you know, there
is some historical misrepresentation in cinema,right, And so I didn't make that.
I was born when I was born, but they was here when I
got here, you know what Imean. You know, like if I
was you know, un releasing person. You know I'm saying, if I'm
working in the maera an American,an American who happens to be of Middle
(22:40):
Eastern descent. Right here there yougo, And so you know, you
didn't make the problems you're born.When you're born, Bro, you get
here, all this shit's going on. Yeah, you know what I mean.
So there is some little misrepresentation.So you you got a factor to
into like is this misrepresentation or isthis cool shit? Yeah? You know,
and you shouldn't have to look atthat, but hey, it is
(23:03):
what it is. Welcome to America. So yes, there is some things
I look at. You know,I got two rules and I've never said
this publicly. You know, I'mgonna share with you, Kurt. I'll
share with you guys, like Igot two rules for myself in my industry,
and he's let me sleep good atnight. They're unbreakable and they're personal.
(23:25):
So they don't they won't meet.They won't mean anything to anybody else
but me, but they you know, I sleep like a baby in this
respect. You know, I don'tembarrass my mom. Yeah, that still
means something to me. That's personal. It may means nothing to nobody else,
that means a lot to me.She's alive, she's watching. I
don't with her, know what I'msaying, And I'm fucking with her like
(23:47):
you know, maybe she did.I can do whatever I want, you
know, I'm going cocaine and havea naked beinge around no Hollywood. But
right now there's gonna be somebody toanswer to. So I can't sucking around
with her. Right she just didtoo much. You give me too much.
She sacrificed too much. I gottaI gotta, I gotta give something
to that. I gotta respect that. And then then there's my people,
(24:07):
you know, as being an Americanand an African American. You know what
I'm saying. So I'm not disrespectingthese people. Yeah, that happened to
me, my people, I'm notso in. And that's real subjective and
it's real specific, and it's goingto mean a different thing to everybody.
And I know what it means tome. I have my own personal cold
or what that would look like.You know what I mean to be up
(24:30):
and there, you know, hangingout with some Nazis, like that's all
cool. Yeah, you know whatI'm saying. I'm using that as an
example. You know what I'm saying, Like you know I'm from New York.
You know my click is Jewish.Yeah, you know what I'm saying.
I'm high, y'all, bro,you know I'm I'm you know,
I'm like, I come from adiverse background. You know what I'm saying.
You know, Latinos, Jamaicans,Italians, you know, so that's
(24:56):
New York. That I'm from NewYork now and that's that time. And
I don't mean out, I'm fromNew York. From New York. You
know, so your your clique ismulticultural. You know, the Jewish people
is up in your experience deep,the Italians, Italians, the Arabs,
you know what I'm saying, Yourpeople, the Muslims, you know what
(25:17):
I'm saying. The Porto Ricans,Dominicans, do you know, the hempcake
do Meniconald you know what I'm saying, Like the Kuban, So these people.
So you're just conscious, you know, you understand what can be disrespectful
to all of these groups. Andin I'm African American, Black Americans,
I understand what can be disrespectful.So I'm mindful so that I'm a person.
We can all make jokes, butyou can't make a joke about a
(25:40):
group of my people. Yeah,and that's all those people I named is
my people. You know what I'msaying. You know, like and so
I get that I didn't make anyof these problems. Yes, that's very
important. I love that. Andnobody alive did either. You know what
I'm saying. You all banned tothe same pool. An issue is that's
(26:03):
an amazing question. That got aneven more amazing response because that's very important
and you and it shows because you'vetaken it and you've kept a level of
integrity. Yeah, it's integrity.And two and because when you wherever you
come from, when you step intoHollywood, it's nothing like where we came
from, especially in New York.I mean it's I was shocked when I
(26:25):
got here what we have to faceevery day, all of us being ethnic
actors in this town. And Iwanted to I didn't want to go too
into the ethnicity. Um, butI'm glad we we touched on it.
No, of course, I lovethat. You Know what's funny is because
usually I have you know, beingLatin, and I have usually ethnic co
host. We always go into theethnic always. It's because it's such a
(26:48):
sensitive subject to us. Me personallythe same thing I I just piggy bang
on that piggy uh off. Thatis that like, now I have to
turn down roles constantly because this verysimilar, because I'm like, I have
to keep a level of integrity andnot look a certain way and not represent
my culture where I came from.Like that's not all You've got to just
(27:14):
examine it, you know what I'msaying. But but it's it's a constant
struggle and a constant it takes work, yes, but but also at the
same time, we have to getto to to the crux. If every
single person says that, well,my people and my culture are not bad
people, how are you gonna havea movie with bad good guys and bad
guys. I mean, I understandthat. But what I'm saying is that
(27:37):
the other thing. That's why forme, I have no problems representing uh
I mean, if I've turned downcertain types of what are quote terrorists,
roles like this thing with with withQueen Latifa just now, I mean,
now those straight up terrorists. However, they didn't paint him as a terrorist
in the sense that the director andI have had a relationship if we've worked
(28:00):
before and he said, I needyou to explain to him in this scenes
the humanity of what you're doing.Basically, they took out this guy's family
and the drones errant. Oh Idon't know if I can talk about this,
Yeah, I would things, yeah, yeah, well yeah yeah,
but but whatever it is is okay. I can talk about Roles I played
where where the character his family wastaken out by an errant drone strike and
(28:23):
he comes back to avenge his family. Yeah. Now you want to call
that guy a terrorist, I'll playthat guy. You know why, because
I do that same ship my kids. Come on you, you call me
whatever you want, You'll be callingit from the grave. Right, I'm
(28:45):
I'm gonna come after you. Butthis human story, yeah, you him,
But this is the question. Yeah, I know. Why can't they
tell the same story in Hollywood withouthim being Middle East and terrorists. Why
can't it just be a father whosekids were well because because because there's not
Aaron drones strikes in city. Youknow, when you talk people apologizing for
(29:11):
killing the tire after family and thenand then that that that's a revenge story,
and they get you. People cancall you anything, can call you
a murderer. They can call youanything. Some of your favorite movies.
You know what I'm saying. TheGodfather is about a family and murderers,
right yeah, So like we canget into you know, you know,
our high horse about things. Youknow what I mean? And be sure
(29:32):
you're saying it right. That's that'sa revenge story. And what I'm saying,
they have no problem for me,like for me personally to play that,
even though I'm being called in thescript by other people, by Americans.
Ah, he's a terrorist, man, I'm good. Yeah, you
kill my family, you will seehow fast to come. I'm coming off
your house tonight. Bro. Whenit's only so like Marcel dumonts. You
(29:56):
know what I'm saying, he is, Uh. In my opinion, he's
a community leader. Uh. Inthe script they call him a gangster,
you know what I mean. Andwe we disagree on you know what I
mean. So it's like, youknow, uh, no problem with that,
you know. Uh. Some ofmy favorite characters and movies and gangs
this ye that that's not I'd lovethe golf I watched a thousand times a
day like everybody else. You knowwhat I'm saying, Like, welcome to
(30:18):
America. It's one of our favoritemovies. You know, it's there's it's
going to be different for everybody,you know, and you know stereotypes are
different from playing a villain. Tryseparate things. Yes, you know you
gotta know when someone's trying to stereotype, stereotype you're playing a bad guy exactly.
I love bad guys. Yeah,tell them, I have no problem.
(30:40):
But there's some people that wouldn't thatbecause I know certain people that won't
even play bad guys because they thinkit reflects badly on their people that click
their roster all that ship, Likeyou just nail you nailed it the stereotype
versus the villain. So I wantto golf. Raad is a villain.
He is not a stereotype. Thefirst role you ever played in Hollywood,
(31:11):
well, at least online, Ilove it was Private Enemy number one on
New York Undercover, Like I lovethe role with two three weeks ago,
three Yoba, what I player?Are you guys still? You guys are
still? But what's funny is thatthe role. I always like to talk
(31:32):
about these roles when we first startedthat had no name. You were just
Private Enemy number one. But thenyou got started, and this one blew
me when you got started on asoap, and this one was called Loving.
I forgot all about it. JeffreyEwing was there. Yes, do
you remember Jeffrey Ewing. He's oneof my best friends. He won an
(31:55):
Obie Award to play Ali and itwas with Randy Rand. He played my
father in law. He played myown Debbie Morgan. Yes, he played.
I played almost Send It to Joe, big, beautiful, gorgeous.
(32:15):
Did you see them Ali performance?No? I didn't get a chance to
see it. He wanted an Obiefor that. I deserved to know what
a small world? And that wasRandy, Randy Mantooth. I remember Randy
from Emergency one. He was allloving too. Yes, I do know.
Here's here's it. I used togo to his house for dinner.
Here's the clip. Here's a clipright here, because Jeff wants you to
wait for the saxophone to come inthere. It's a serious business right here,
(32:38):
so dramatic. Yeah, the saxophonegets in there. The saxophone there
you go there. It is aSacks, powerful bro acting like sax sacon.
And you were good. Yeah,he's a little kid. You were
good. From the beginning. Sometimesyou can see people when they start on
soaps. They weren't paulished yet.No, no, he was his job
(33:00):
actor. Thank you, good job, very good words you. Yeah,
that's after two and a half yearsof studying under that woman, Debbie Morgan.
Oh, he was your tir waswell as being on the show,
on the show her. That's myfirst real television job under contract. I
(33:21):
called you a contract actor, yeah, called contract player. Contract on the
soaps. And so that's my firstreal major contract, my first big bucking
with my agents. You know,your first agent. You know all of
that. Everything is new, andthat was completely green. You know,
you weren't really good, really goodyou were you look I mean you look
young young school listen. Will Smithwasn't Will Smith compared to him on his
(33:43):
first book, Fresh Prince, hewas. He was not the Fresh Prince
of anything. We Will has donepretty well. He's made up the time
different. But um I Debbie Morganis one of the powerful pounce. She
reminds me of Bruce Lee. She'sone of the baddest actors to ever lace
them up. That woman is amonster. Yeah, and I spent two
(34:07):
years slack jaws and scenes with her, just watching her emotional facility. Man,
she's amazing, she's good, andshe has an a she looks the
same in that gosh, um,Auntie, I always hear this is this
is obviously a different question. Youknow, I don't know how you guys,
(34:30):
but I get this a lot.Hey, how how do actors?
How do you memorize your lines?Do you memorize your lines? How to
actors memorize? You? Guys?Get that a lot, the memorization.
And I have this thing, thisproblem with um because we don't actually memorize
lines. In my opinion, memorizinglines, correct if I'm wrong, is
(34:50):
the incorrect term for what we do, because you're not actually memorizing lines.
Instead, we are listening. Ifwe're present, you already know what's happening.
You know what's going on. Youdon't have to memorize words on a
page if you know what's happening.So how important to you? And how
(35:14):
important is is it? An actor? For everybody? Listening? Is listening
like you are right now listening tome? Your responses or are organic?
How important is listening when we're acting, when we're doing a scene. I
mean, there is no acting withoutit. There is no there are from
nothing exists without be listening to you, unless it's written that the character is
(35:36):
not listening. Yes, because alot of times you can watch an actor
and you can tell when they're notlistening. They have almost a glazed look
on it, and some alone'st likethey're waiting for their turn to come to
talk. But you can see thedifference between greatness and not. When someone
is listening, you can see themthey're into it. It's one of the
things we love most about Robert deNiro. Yes, when he's not talking,
(35:59):
yeah, you love him. He'she deep and listening. Bro.
I love his reactions because he's he'slistening to what the pression is saying and
emotionally reacting to the words. Andthen he talks depending on how and you
study that. I studied him asa kid, like, Wow, he's
the most interesting listening face ever.But he present like album and and that
(36:21):
isn't that is a one on oneacting one on one is the listening part
more because I admit my very mymany beginning years, I didn't get it.
I didn't know. I started intheater and I would just like,
uh, you know, learn line. But once that clicked. This again,
this shows about preaching. Yeah,once it clicked, and you understand
how to listen, do you agree? Well? I was. I never
(36:45):
I can't work without listening. Inever had that time where I mean that's
that's I don't remember that. Yes, because because it actually helps me to
save my fucking line. Yeah,exactly if I listened to her. If
she says, you know, whatwere you doing yesterday and you're not hearing
that, well my line is,I was eating breakfast at Dempsey's diner.
(37:06):
Well you should just asked you thequestion. So whatever that line is,
if you're listening, it helps youinform what you need to say, and
you're not going to deliver back theproper way if you don't hear the way
she delivered it to you. AndI raised my hand on this because of
working on CBS, because of numbersand shows that specialize in exposition. Yes,
so sometimes you will have to packin facts. Okay, Suspect eight
(37:29):
was coming out of thing and theand so for numbers, you know they
would hand me the briefcase of exposition. Yeah, that sucks. That's hard
not emotionally reacting looking at the screen. And then we realized that you know,
David Aziz came, he flew inthe JFK and then seven pages of
paragraphs of dialogue and so in thatsituation you have to memorize it. What
(37:52):
one of the keys for any listeningactors or people who want to pick up
something is to attach emotional value towhat you're talking about. Yes, because
that's how it is in the realway. You feel a way about everything
you're saying. Yes. About everyoneyou're talking to, you feel some kind
of way indifference, hate, lovein between. So even who you're talking
(38:15):
about, what you're thinking about,you attach emotional value to what you're talking
about. And the master people atexposition always have a point of view about
what they're talking about. And that'sabout every moment. And you see it
like in real life, when youtalk about a person that's not here,
you see them and you and youhave a feeling for you don't realize,
(38:36):
but you can see in your eyeswhen you talk about your mom, as
a person talked about your kids,yeah, or somebody else, it's different,
they're not here. But that's howyou do when you're acting, When
you're talking about things, you havea connection, and that's what sets,
the part you had something you wereshotting down notes. I was taking notes
too, you know, I'm learningfrom the master class. Yeah, okay,
(39:00):
what well, yeah, I hopeI'm not jumping way to a head.
But you know, one of thethings that I really love about just
actors in general, like you haveyour art form and then you have your
life and sometimes they merge together inan interesting way. Um. And so
(39:21):
you know, just going through I'vefollowed you, followed you, yes,
but good way. Um, Butlooking at your social media right, um,
you uplift black men, black women, you uplift people in general,
not just black culture correct, that'svery specific for sure, but just people
(39:45):
in general. You have this inspirationalmessage about life and how we live life.
And I see reoccurring on your postsyou have you are enough. You
tend to do that every week weekly, you know. And so why you
are enough? That's my question?Yes, yes, yes, why are
(40:06):
you enough? That is the ageold question. This isn't just for artists,
entertainers, actors, athletes, anybody, celebrities. This is for everybody
out there, because if you don'tbelieve in yourself, who will. But
the minute you do the heights,you can achieve are limitless. That is
Part one with my guest ali MeBallard on What's Your Name Again? The
podcast with America's podcaster or kirkcas Serras. Oh just wait till part two comes
(40:30):
back, because he's gonna drop downand answer to that question that you would
not believe. It is gonna blowyou away, And if I remember correctly,
it brings tears to my eyes,It brings goose bumps towards skin,
It takes the breath away because theway he lays it down for us is
gonna open everybody's eyes to life andyour future and what's you're capable of.
(40:54):
These are my co hosts, Anthonyis Easy and Chosan Moni. I'm What's
your Name Again? The podcast onceagain the great, amazing talented ali Me
Billard with America's podcast Kirkus Stairs andwe will see you in part two after good Night
Ladies and gentlemen, please take yourseats. The show is about to begin.
It's a great set up. Yes, it's a good place. Come
back. The funny thing is wehaven't been trying to get him in here
(00:20):
for a year. He's so busy, and then all of a sudden he's
like, I'm coming in and comingin. He walked by my house because
he listened in every home. He'slike, oh, I'm looking for New
Zealand in a week. Bye,okay, let's do this you guys right,
yeah, okay, we're warmed up. Now, we're all warmed up.
Camera's rolling anyway. Three two one, Welcome to What's your Name?
(00:47):
In the podcast? This is America'spodcast. Turkis Sarah's coming at you.
This is exciting. We got tobe here across from me. Ladies.
First, we got someone who's astaple of the show. It's been a
while because we took a little high, but we have back here. We
have Josane mad Oh what's gone?I have most fears smiling. You're a
(01:10):
field, Yes you are. Andhow in the house to see you?
Really good? Yeah, you camein smiling and raising as always Because sometimes
we don't hear from somebody. Yougotta worry, like what's going on,
But it's good to have your yourenergy come back here. I love you
so much and it's like it feelsgood to have you back, you know,
the two you especially, I don'tsee him not much either. But
so have you guys in here?So you she've been world traveling and speaking
(01:36):
of you, the guy crossed meright next to Jasone. We have everybody's
favor. He makes us laugh andmakes us cry. He inspires us with
his stories. Here's a lot oftrouble we have here. Anthony is easy.
What's up guy? What's done?He has been I mean he's been
(01:57):
traveling. He's been in a realguy. He's been in Lease and now
there's this location, the build.He's been traveling, the work. They
just step back from New York doingan episode of Equalizer, and he's been
working non stop. He's got agood run. Like he's so congratulations.
I would say, working though,but I appreciate it. Hopefully it'll start
read working, you know. Butbut now you say, I appreciate the
(02:17):
shout out. But we all knowthis show right here. What's name again?
Is for actors and entertainers, andwe all know it's cyclical often.
So you went through a law.Now you you're at the top of the
peak again. So that's how itis, that's how we do it.
Yeah, well no, it didn'tmean. I still get a lot of
like what's your name again? Imean for real, exactly. People look
at me and they're like, what'syour name again. That's that's where this
(02:38):
show, the concept started from.Like you get that. I'm sure you
get that all the time. Andyou're speaking of you the other you over
here. Okay, he doesn't getthat because they know his name, you
know what I mean. They maynot know how to pronounce it right,
but they know who they know whothis guy over here. Man. So
first of all, your birthday,Happy birthday recently October seventeenth minus October eighteenth,
(03:02):
fellow Leebra. I was gonna say, that's why the first day we
met. We always have this connection, Like I mean, you're like that
with every I see. You justrespect everybody. But the first day we
met because his kid, his youngest, and my daughter went to the same
school for a while and then youguys have moved on. We'll be at
that school next year. But so, and then I see him around the
(03:23):
neighborhood because we're neighbors, and it'severy time, it's just all of a
sudden, he radiates, and it'slike, I want to like give you
a hug, shake your hand,because you you exude charisma and energy and
positivity. And just like Anthony hadsaid when he had worked with you,
that's all he remembers about you waspositivity. And we have here in the
(03:46):
studio and I want your gonna bein the podcast The Great Ali Me.
You guys have seen him on everything, Well, welcome, welcome, this
is I'm so to it. I'vebeen looking forward to this for a while
(04:08):
because, first of all, Ididn't even realize it either. I was
going trying to go through some ofmy old clips about a year ago and
we had just reconnected. I sawyou in the neighborhood and I thought,
wait a second, I'm in ascene with him on a show, and
I didn't even realize it. SoI'm gonna show you a clip found it
of him and I in something.Um right here ready, Oh my god,
(04:32):
Oh there he is. Oh thatguy, look at that and that
did you do you remember that scene? Or are you one of those groups
I remember that day. It's strange, you know, you know, you
generally can't always access all your memories, but one thing could jog it and
(04:55):
it's in there, you just can'tget to it. But one smell,
one person, like you remember thewhole day. That's so true, you
know how it flashes back, youknow, definitely the older you get,
you like I can't remember that.Someone can say a key phrase and you'd
be like, yo, when youhear a song and it's like it sounds
cliche, but sometimes smells like smellof nineteen eighty eight will come back to
(05:15):
me. Yeah. Well they sayit is our most nostalgic sense, because
it's crazy smells, our most nostalgicsense. This is, this is this
might be for me, you know, that's what does it for me?
A smell I'll bringing back this yearhow I used to feel in it,
Like I get this burning in myheart because I feel like I'm there for
a minute. It's like ouch,yeah, And sometimes so seeing that I'm
(05:38):
like, I remember that day.And for those of you listening, what
we just watched was an episode ofNumbers that I did. Let's not name
the year is a while ago andwe didn't know each other that day.
And I obviously remember, because whenyou're a guest star on the show,
you remember everything. It's one episode, but you're a regular on there,
so you're you have the seasons ofmemories and smells correct to remember, correct,
(05:58):
you know? So I mean tohim and I met on the show
as a series regular, it's there'sa picture back there with me. Hichelash
baz Ali Man a multi Academy Awardwinner, and it's time to share with
everybody else. He's got a settling. Other people win awards. Um.
But so that's the thing I rememberbeing a series regular, and yeah,
you do so many episodes, butthings will click sometimes will be like,
(06:21):
hey, remember when this happened orthis happened all of a sudden you flash
back to that for those you listening. Now, this guy, I'm just
gonna name some things real quickly.It's gonna bullet some some names of things.
He's worked on, The Cities,Malcolm and Nash Bridges, NYPD,
Blue Philly, the Division, ncisin Plain Sight, Risolian Aisles, Drop
(06:44):
Dead Diva, Hollywood Heights, whichI also worked on, Hollywood Heights,
Uh Bones, I've worked on allthese two Scorpion Castle, Criminal Minds,
swat All Rise, and it justkeeps going. But he is most recently
known known for playing the role ofMarcel du Moss. The South with Yancy.
(07:09):
Did you have any seas with Yancy? Was different? Yes? Yeah,
I saw you make a post abouthim Key being just amazing, like
doing amazing. He's so beautiful.Yeah, yeah, so is Yancey.
I don't know if you have betterget here, man, I know a
lot of people that know him welland a great guy, so Queens South.
(07:34):
But now you're playing the role KevinClay and this is I didn't even
realize that. The first step beenseeing this thing's blowing up on Peacock.
It's called one of us is lying. Yeah, man, yes, that's
freaking amazing. Thank you. Ididn't even realize round. Have you heard
of that show? A lot ofhYP I saw billboards and the reason why
I responded to it is because it'sthe reality of the world. Yeah,
(07:56):
everybody I look at, I'm like, well, one of us is lying,
you know what say it. I'mlooking around this room like the game
of Clue, like everyone's a suspectabout something. I love, I love,
I love the t you're in thatso he could talk to I don't.
I don't know much about that show, sort is it? Why?
It's based off a YA which standsfor young adult novel series, So it's
(08:20):
centered around young people. And you'vebeen tweeting about it, and someone tweeted
back and this is this is theshow in five words, the Breakfast Club
with murder. Wow, that's that'smy kids. You know what, my
kids are gonna love it? Doit club with Murder Club. That someone
(08:41):
I was like, that is Ihope Peacock is listening. That's the that's
the hashtag quickly down. So it'sabout sentence around four students, high school
students who are accused of murdering theirclassmate, you know, accused. They
(09:03):
are suspected of murdering the classmate.And my son happens to be one of
the four students. So you're thedad of one of the the father of
one of the four who's accused ofwho's accused. So there, I mean,
because that's pretty harrowing because you havekids, and I mean, can
you imagine you actually had to facethat face that as a father? No,
(09:24):
I can't even so that's why I'msaying it. Yeah, speaking of
which, because I'm actually glad.That's gonna help me segue to something I
had for later. But that worksout great. Is as an actor?
I was gonna ask you later,but let's ask it now. How often
do you use your imagination as opposedto real life connections to your work?
(09:46):
You know, for an example,God bless and thank you that your children
have never been in serious trouble,my God. So obviously you can't connect
to that. So what it wouldbe your approach? You're gonna have to
use imagination? Right? What wouldbe your approach to What is your approach
to this? You've already shot abunch of episodes, right, we shot
all of it in New Zealand.Okay, that's the one. Yeah,
that's the show. Yeah, that'sthe show. I figured you were in
(10:07):
New Zealand doing some type of medievalthings. No, it was every time.
It's funny you said that. Theminute you said he was in New
Zealand, I was kind of lookingat him like, did he have like
a bigger beer? Was he like? I thought he was with Peter Jackson
speaking has come to me? AndI was like exactly. Meanwhile he's doing
(10:33):
like a breakfast exactly. I wasnever thought that you shot that over there.
That's a bunch of things down there. Man. Of course New Zealand
Peter Jackson made it famous with Lordof the Ring, you know. And
it's North Island, south South Island, so Auckland's in the north. It's
a nice city, reminding you ofSeattle or Vancouver. Oh the photos you
were constantly posting. I was like, oh, bro, oh, it's
(10:54):
just magical. That must have beensuch an amazing experience. The Shire you
know where Bill, bill Bag andlive. That's in the North Island,
not about four hours drive from Auckland. We went, we drove down there,
Bro, you went there. WeOh, I could think the wife
and the kids they came the wholetime or no, yeah, they moved
(11:15):
out there with them. It wasone of those things where I was like,
it would have been too too longaway, you know what I mean.
Health, I mean, everyone isdifferent minds, you yes, but
you know, I just don't knowif I could be away from the wife
and the kids, I don't know. My son would have like I don't.
They don't like that. I thinkkids think like where where are you.
I think sometimes you met, theyget angry with you, and I
(11:37):
was like, I don't think tryingto understand. Can you gotta go get
make the money? But your boysare like that are too long? One
month? They could live four months. My kids have been like, yeah,
I just didn't want to have to, you know what I mean,
fix something that I messed with that. But you know what the thing that
bothers me is, you know Ilive in the neighborhood where the original Breakfast
(11:58):
club, the place where they shotit's it's in It's why it's in Haircock
Park that the high school? Yeah, why why are they going all?
I mean, is it take placein New Zealand. Well, first of
all, that's like a question forpeople like way above my page. You
know what I mean. Coronavirus thepandemic did a lot to a lot of
(12:18):
things, and are supposed to bein Vancouver. I know they shot one
Vancouver and then the world shut down. Yeah, so this is probably yes,
you know. And and and inNew Zealand had no COVID because they
had being COVID the first year.Australia and New Zealand were clean. They
were straight, and they were ableto That's what it was. Okay,
they were able to get down thereand get it done. And I know
(12:39):
there's probably a good dollar break forthe producers for you know, for the
p of course you get the breaks. Um, and now do they what's
the difference with the rules down there? Is it Mass twenty for seven pretty
similar? How are they so cleandown there? What's different there? Leadership?
I don't want to get. Imean, that's going to get into
leadership like yeah, but dude,no, no, you two weeks in
(13:00):
quarantine, but it's run by theby the by the military, whether you
are arrested or not. You landedthe airport two weeks, they put you
in a hotel. They feed youthree squares a day, so they are
on top of it. Rid attestedevery day every day, every two days.
Once you're out of there, gowow. So no mask, nothing
(13:22):
because I didn't want to. Ididn't want to miss what we did.
Real quick. Um, the firstquestion before I forget, I don't want
to forget. Yeah, how didyou approach being a father with a child
that is accused of murder? Okay, as an actor? So for as
an actor you asked me it wasa multi pronged question. You know,
do you use imagination? You know, do you uh do you imagine if
(13:45):
it was your child? And sometimesit's a combination of both. You know,
for me personally as a quote unquotemethod actor, Um, the jump
off the building approach is when thescenario you're in becomes real. Yeah,
so I'm not using my kids inmy imagination. You know the world,
the moon is really about to crashinto Fourth Earth. You know, your
(14:07):
civilization is about to be wiped out? How would that make you feel?
Go? You know, so thatis my boy over there, and he's
been a key he's an athlete.In the script, you know on Cooper
Clay is a D one baseball pitcher. He's about to he's being drafted there.
You know, he's about to gowhole life ahead of me. He's
(14:28):
suddenly accused of murder. And forKevin Clay, that's an impossibility. Yeah,
I am the I'm the Tiger dadon him twenty four hours? Where
would he have time to plan tokill me? Kevin? Well, my
guy, he's like, that's likehe's got caught up in some bullshit because
(14:48):
he's sitting next to some kid inclass. There's no way my son would
murder anyone. Well, so mywhole approach the place. Look it out
of here, you guys. Youguys are all off your rock or what.
I don't care who other kid itcould be. It's not my son.
So that's how to get in it. Lover. I already felt it
right right now. Yeah, there'speople that have to actually deal with that
(15:15):
in real life. Like did Imean his parents? He's only twenty two.
He's a kid. He's a kid, you know, So, Jose,
I don't want you to be forgotten. You had Look, please,
when my time comes, I'll takeit. It's you know, you mentioned
a lot about you talked about yourkids, and you have a beautiful wife,
(15:35):
your who have had the pleasures absolutelyand your two kids. How do
you since we're talking about children andfamily, like, how do you balance
your career and family time because youknow some people find that find that really
difficult. You know, um,yes, throughout your career because long career
and you've been married for a longtime, you know what I mean.
(15:58):
So every infamy, everyone that's different. Yeah, I'm gonna attach dad,
Okay, so I know every fatherlike I didn't know my dad. So
my dad was not gonna catch dad. I mean when I was twenty,
so it would have been different forhim. Yeah, you know what I
mean, Like, I'm not thatguy. Yeah, so you experienced no
father. So now you're like,I'm in there. I'm gonna make break,
(16:18):
I make lunch, I take mykids to school. Yeah, so
I'm not that guy. And everyone there's no shade, and I can
attest that I've seen them together.Yeah, and I'm like, you guys
should be like on the cover ofa magazine, the way that, the
way that the lake, you couldfeel the love, you could feel the
bond, you can feel the connection. Yeah, it's like it's like the
four of them when they walk,it's beautiful. Did you meet my mom
(16:41):
back in the day, because Iknow you from New York? Did you
did you ever meet my mom?Speaking of it, so, I have
a great mom. Yeah, Ikind of got a sense of how parenting
should be from her. Yeah,you know what I mean, hands on,
and this is everyone is different.There's no judgment in that. You
built how you're built. So I'mgonna attach dad, I'm gonna attach father
and attached you know, you know, but I'm attached to my fans.
(17:07):
So even with all the work,you never let it. Um, well,
I wouldn't have taken the job ifI couldn't go with my family.
Yeah did you did you say thatto the Yeah? Yeah, yeah,
Well it's not that's not it.That's not an ego. You could do
what you can do, yes,and you can't do what you can't do
right right, you know, likeI can't play like a child molester,
(17:30):
you know, And there's great actorsthat can do they don't. They're built
differently. Yes, you are whatyou are, like psychically, I can't
even put my mind into that headframe, like I can't. I love
that you just brought that up,because that happens to all actors. Yes,
it's things. Well it's probably happenedto us all. Something comes across
your desk, you're like, oh, I don't know, I'm this is
(17:52):
to connect with it. So there'scertain things that you just push that thing
aside. Yeah, that's because youdon't you don't believe in it, and
you can. We wouldn't even doit justice, That's that's the point.
Yeah, there's great actors that cando great work with that. I want
to be there messing with your script, trying to get you to change it,
(18:12):
fussing with it when you can getout the way unless someone who can
really embrace what they wrote bring itto life. And why you know,
I don't have any kind of ridiculousnarcissistic ego. And they even went in
talking to the producers. I wasjust like, you know, I'm not
single, you know, fy,I'm looking down a barrel of fifty you
know, I got a wife andtwo kids. I can't. I won't
(18:33):
be able to make that journey ifit's one. If you needed me for
one month, great, we allfuck it out. Whatever it's gonna be
three to four months. They're like, at least that, And I was
like, guys, you know Iwould. I would have to. Is
there a space? You know?You asked politely? Can Yeah? You
know I can't do it. Youcan. But that says a lot about
you that you actually actually asked andsaid I need that, because I think
(18:55):
everyone can agree, even the producers. I'm sure they're all parents. They
get it. If they're parents,yet they get it, which brings me
to my next question, because yes, because we tend to sometimes have the
same Okay, so my next myquestion is because we were flowing right.
(19:18):
Yes, Um, like all ofyour projects we've named them like and everything
that I've seen you in have showedauthority. I showed um great poise,
dignity. As far as just beingan African American man actor, is that
intentional? Do you make intentional choicesfor your roles? Um, based on
(19:38):
the roles that I've seen you play, like, Yeah, you bring a
lot of dignity to Um. Thankyou. First of all, thank you.
Yeah, that's a that's a compliment. I'm gonna take that as a
compliment. It is. I'm gonnahere that's compliment. Yes, thank you.
Yeah, it's true. If youlook at things, you see,
(20:00):
Yeah, he's always a distinguished gentlemanwith suiting a tie. He doesn't have
a tirely I'm trying to see howmuch to say yes, No, I
mean it's beautiful to watch, Um, I mean one of my favorite scenes.
I mean, I've seen you alot of things, but obviously Queen
Sugar. Yes, Um, thatelevator come Home My Queen elevator scene is
(20:26):
for sure, you know, justthe chemistry between both of you guys.
But I love the fact that that'swhy I'm asking the question because I want
to know if the roles that you'repicking, you know, as a performer
for myself. As for myself,I am very intentional about what I play.
So is that a choice? Likeyou? You know? Okay,
(20:48):
Um, I could I can onlyspeak for myself. Yeah, I don't
not. I don't want to gotoo far, you know. I guess
maybe there is no too far.So yes, um. The only disclaimer
is it shouldn't have to be thatway. But you know, um,
you know, I'm born in thisday and age. You know, I'm
(21:08):
American, you know, from NewYork, proud of a year year.
I'm born in the day and theage I'm born in. So the issues
of the world were here before Igot here. There's a lot going on,
you know, when I landed inthe spot, you know what I
mean. And so like my kids, I tell you, you're at your
(21:29):
place, look around, see what'sgoing on. So I'm born, I
got my MoMA. You're looking aroundwhat's going on? And you know,
a representation just happened to be problematicin the country I was born. And
depending on what demographic you're born into, so you gotta be conscious that they're
some misrepresentation going on, and ifyou're in a position you know to kind
of adjust that that's not really yourjob. But you're born on the day,
(21:52):
bro, you know what I mean. Like, you know, you
go to the park and there's hoodlum'sover there. I gotta tell my kids,
dude, wild dogs. You know, you didn't put dogs there,
You didn't put the hoodlums there,but they there. Yeah, check it,
you know, act accordingly. Andso I come into a world,
into an industry. You know,we all can go into the history of
American cinema and you know, representationof people of color or you know,
pick your you know your your demographic. I mean the only you know people
(22:17):
you know, like you know,the Chinese Americans that everyone's got an issue
depending on what day of the calendarwe're looking at. And so when it
comes to African people of color,African Americans specifically, you know, there
is some historical misrepresentation in cinema,right, And so I didn't make that.
I was born when I was born, but they was here when I
got here, you know what Imean. You know, like if I
was you know, un releasing person. You know I'm saying, if I'm
working in the maera an American,an American who happens to be of Middle
(22:40):
Eastern descent. Right here there yougo, And so you know, you
didn't make the problems you're born.When you're born, Bro, you get
here, all this shit's going on. Yeah, you know what I mean.
So there is some little misrepresentation.So you you got a factor to
into like is this misrepresentation or isthis cool shit? Yeah? You know,
and you shouldn't have to look atthat, but hey, it is
(23:03):
what it is. Welcome to America. So yes, there is some things
I look at. You know,I got two rules and I've never said
this publicly. You know, I'mgonna share with you, Kurt. I'll
share with you guys, like Igot two rules for myself in my industry,
and he's let me sleep good atnight. They're unbreakable and they're personal.
(23:25):
So they don't they won't meet.They won't mean anything to anybody else
but me, but they you know, I sleep like a baby in this
respect. You know, I don'tembarrass my mom. Yeah, that still
means something to me. That's personal. It may means nothing to nobody else,
that means a lot to me.She's alive, she's watching. I
don't with her, know what I'msaying, And I'm fucking with her like
(23:47):
you know, maybe she did.I can do whatever I want, you
know, I'm going cocaine and havea naked beinge around no Hollywood. But
right now there's gonna be somebody toanswer to. So I can't sucking around
with her. Right she just didtoo much. You give me too much.
She sacrificed too much. I gottaI gotta, I gotta give something
to that. I gotta respect that. And then then there's my people,
(24:07):
you know, as being an Americanand an African American. You know what
I'm saying. So I'm not disrespectingthese people. Yeah, that happened to
me, my people, I'm notso in. And that's real subjective and
it's real specific, and it's goingto mean a different thing to everybody.
And I know what it means tome. I have my own personal cold
or what that would look like.You know what I mean to be up
(24:30):
and there, you know, hangingout with some Nazis, like that's all
cool. Yeah, you know whatI'm saying. I'm using that as an
example. You know what I'm saying, Like you know I'm from New York.
You know my click is Jewish.Yeah, you know what I'm saying.
I'm high, y'all, bro,you know I'm I'm you know,
I'm like, I come from adiverse background. You know what I'm saying.
You know, Latinos, Jamaicans,Italians, you know, so that's
(24:56):
New York. That I'm from NewYork now and that's that time. And
I don't mean out, I'm fromNew York. From New York. You
know, so your your clique ismulticultural. You know, the Jewish people
is up in your experience deep,the Italians, Italians, the Arabs,
you know what I'm saying, Yourpeople, the Muslims, you know what
(25:17):
I'm saying. The Porto Ricans,Dominicans, do you know, the hempcake
do Meniconald you know what I'm saying, Like the Kuban, So these people.
So you're just conscious, you know, you understand what can be disrespectful
to all of these groups. Andin I'm African American, Black Americans,
I understand what can be disrespectful.So I'm mindful so that I'm a person.
We can all make jokes, butyou can't make a joke about a
(25:40):
group of my people. Yeah,and that's all those people I named is
my people. You know what I'msaying. You know, like and so
I get that I didn't make anyof these problems. Yes, that's very
important. I love that. Andnobody alive did either. You know what
I'm saying. You all banned tothe same pool. An issue is that's
(26:03):
an amazing question. That got aneven more amazing response because that's very important
and you and it shows because you'vetaken it and you've kept a level of
integrity. Yeah, it's integrity.And two and because when you wherever you
come from, when you step intoHollywood, it's nothing like where we came
from, especially in New York.I mean it's I was shocked when I
(26:25):
got here what we have to faceevery day, all of us being ethnic
actors in this town. And Iwanted to I didn't want to go too
into the ethnicity. Um, butI'm glad we we touched on it.
No, of course, I lovethat. You Know what's funny is because
usually I have you know, beingLatin, and I have usually ethnic co
host. We always go into theethnic always. It's because it's such a
(26:48):
sensitive subject to us. Me personallythe same thing I I just piggy bang
on that piggy uh off. Thatis that like, now I have to
turn down roles constantly because this verysimilar, because I'm like, I have
to keep a level of integrity andnot look a certain way and not represent
my culture where I came from.Like that's not all You've got to just
(27:14):
examine it, you know what I'msaying. But but it's it's a constant
struggle and a constant it takes work, yes, but but also at the
same time, we have to getto to to the crux. If every
single person says that, well,my people and my culture are not bad
people, how are you gonna havea movie with bad good guys and bad
guys. I mean, I understandthat. But what I'm saying is that
(27:37):
the other thing. That's why forme, I have no problems representing uh
I mean, if I've turned downcertain types of what are quote terrorists,
roles like this thing with with withQueen Latifa just now, I mean,
now those straight up terrorists. However, they didn't paint him as a terrorist
in the sense that the director andI have had a relationship if we've worked
(28:00):
before and he said, I needyou to explain to him in this scenes
the humanity of what you're doing.Basically, they took out this guy's family
and the drones errant. Oh Idon't know if I can talk about this,
Yeah, I would things, yeah, yeah, well yeah yeah,
but but whatever it is is okay. I can talk about Roles I played
where where the character his family wastaken out by an errant drone strike and
(28:23):
he comes back to avenge his family. Yeah. Now you want to call
that guy a terrorist, I'll playthat guy. You know why, because
I do that same ship my kids. Come on you, you call me
whatever you want, You'll be callingit from the grave. Right, I'm
(28:45):
I'm gonna come after you. Butthis human story, yeah, you him,
But this is the question. Yeah, I know. Why can't they
tell the same story in Hollywood withouthim being Middle East and terrorists. Why
can't it just be a father whosekids were well because because because there's not
Aaron drones strikes in city. Youknow, when you talk people apologizing for
(29:11):
killing the tire after family and thenand then that that that's a revenge story,
and they get you. People cancall you anything, can call you
a murderer. They can call youanything. Some of your favorite movies.
You know what I'm saying. TheGodfather is about a family and murderers,
right yeah, So like we canget into you know, you know,
our high horse about things. Youknow what I mean? And be sure
(29:32):
you're saying it right. That's that'sa revenge story. And what I'm saying,
they have no problem for me,like for me personally to play that,
even though I'm being called in thescript by other people, by Americans.
Ah, he's a terrorist, man, I'm good. Yeah, you
kill my family, you will seehow fast to come. I'm coming off
your house tonight. Bro. Whenit's only so like Marcel dumonts. You
(29:56):
know what I'm saying, he is, Uh. In my opinion, he's
a community leader. Uh. Inthe script they call him a gangster,
you know what I mean. Andwe we disagree on you know what I
mean. So it's like, youknow, uh, no problem with that,
you know. Uh. Some ofmy favorite characters and movies and gangs
this ye that that's not I'd lovethe golf I watched a thousand times a
day like everybody else. You knowwhat I'm saying, Like, welcome to
(30:18):
America. It's one of our favoritemovies. You know, it's there's it's
going to be different for everybody,you know, and you know stereotypes are
different from playing a villain. Tryseparate things. Yes, you know you
gotta know when someone's trying to stereotype, stereotype you're playing a bad guy exactly.
I love bad guys. Yeah,tell them, I have no problem.
(30:40):
But there's some people that wouldn't thatbecause I know certain people that won't
even play bad guys because they thinkit reflects badly on their people that click
their roster all that ship, Likeyou just nail you nailed it the stereotype
versus the villain. So I wantto golf. Raad is a villain.
He is not a stereotype. Thefirst role you ever played in Hollywood,
(31:11):
well, at least online, Ilove it was Private Enemy number one on
New York Undercover, Like I lovethe role with two three weeks ago,
three Yoba, what I player?Are you guys still? You guys are
still? But what's funny is thatthe role. I always like to talk
(31:32):
about these roles when we first startedthat had no name. You were just
Private Enemy number one. But thenyou got started, and this one blew
me when you got started on asoap, and this one was called Loving.
I forgot all about it. JeffreyEwing was there. Yes, do
you remember Jeffrey Ewing. He's oneof my best friends. He won an
(31:55):
Obie Award to play Ali and itwas with Randy Rand. He played my
father in law. He played myown Debbie Morgan. Yes, he played.
I played almost Send It to Joe, big, beautiful, gorgeous.
(32:15):
Did you see them Ali performance?No? I didn't get a chance to
see it. He wanted an Obiefor that. I deserved to know what
a small world? And that wasRandy, Randy Mantooth. I remember Randy
from Emergency one. He was allloving too. Yes, I do know.
Here's here's it. I used togo to his house for dinner.
Here's the clip. Here's a clipright here, because Jeff wants you to
wait for the saxophone to come inthere. It's a serious business right here,
(32:38):
so dramatic. Yeah, the saxophonegets in there. The saxophone there
you go there. It is aSacks, powerful bro acting like sax sacon.
And you were good. Yeah,he's a little kid. You were
good. From the beginning. Sometimesyou can see people when they start on
soaps. They weren't paulished yet.No, no, he was his job
(33:00):
actor. Thank you, good job, very good words you. Yeah,
that's after two and a half yearsof studying under that woman, Debbie Morgan.
Oh, he was your tir waswell as being on the show,
on the show her. That's myfirst real television job under contract. I
(33:21):
called you a contract actor, yeah, called contract player. Contract on the
soaps. And so that's my firstreal major contract, my first big bucking
with my agents. You know,your first agent. You know all of
that. Everything is new, andthat was completely green. You know,
you weren't really good, really goodyou were you look I mean you look
young young school listen. Will Smithwasn't Will Smith compared to him on his
(33:43):
first book, Fresh Prince, hewas. He was not the Fresh Prince
of anything. We Will has donepretty well. He's made up the time
different. But um I Debbie Morganis one of the powerful pounce. She
reminds me of Bruce Lee. She'sone of the baddest actors to ever lace
them up. That woman is amonster. Yeah, and I spent two
(34:07):
years slack jaws and scenes with her, just watching her emotional facility. Man,
she's amazing, she's good, andshe has an a she looks the
same in that gosh, um,Auntie, I always hear this is this
is obviously a different question. Youknow, I don't know how you guys,
(34:30):
but I get this a lot.Hey, how how do actors?
How do you memorize your lines?Do you memorize your lines? How to
actors memorize? You? Guys?Get that a lot, the memorization.
And I have this thing, thisproblem with um because we don't actually memorize
lines. In my opinion, memorizinglines, correct if I'm wrong, is
(34:50):
the incorrect term for what we do, because you're not actually memorizing lines.
Instead, we are listening. Ifwe're present, you already know what's happening.
You know what's going on. Youdon't have to memorize words on a
page if you know what's happening.So how important to you? And how
(35:14):
important is is it? An actor? For everybody? Listening? Is listening
like you are right now listening tome? Your responses or are organic?
How important is listening when we're acting, when we're doing a scene. I
mean, there is no acting withoutit. There is no there are from
nothing exists without be listening to you, unless it's written that the character is
(35:36):
not listening. Yes, because alot of times you can watch an actor
and you can tell when they're notlistening. They have almost a glazed look
on it, and some alone'st likethey're waiting for their turn to come to
talk. But you can see thedifference between greatness and not. When someone
is listening, you can see themthey're into it. It's one of the
things we love most about Robert deNiro. Yes, when he's not talking,
(35:59):
yeah, you love him. He'she deep and listening. Bro.
I love his reactions because he's he'slistening to what the pression is saying and
emotionally reacting to the words. Andthen he talks depending on how and you
study that. I studied him asa kid, like, Wow, he's
the most interesting listening face ever.But he present like album and and that
(36:21):
isn't that is a one on oneacting one on one is the listening part
more because I admit my very mymany beginning years, I didn't get it.
I didn't know. I started intheater and I would just like,
uh, you know, learn line. But once that clicked. This again,
this shows about preaching. Yeah,once it clicked, and you understand
how to listen, do you agree? Well? I was. I never
(36:45):
I can't work without listening. Inever had that time where I mean that's
that's I don't remember that. Yes, because because it actually helps me to
save my fucking line. Yeah,exactly if I listened to her. If
she says, you know, whatwere you doing yesterday and you're not hearing
that, well my line is,I was eating breakfast at Dempsey's diner.
(37:06):
Well you should just asked you thequestion. So whatever that line is,
if you're listening, it helps youinform what you need to say, and
you're not going to deliver back theproper way if you don't hear the way
she delivered it to you. AndI raised my hand on this because of
working on CBS, because of numbersand shows that specialize in exposition. Yes,
so sometimes you will have to packin facts. Okay, Suspect eight
(37:29):
was coming out of thing and theand so for numbers, you know they
would hand me the briefcase of exposition. Yeah, that sucks. That's hard
not emotionally reacting looking at the screen. And then we realized that you know,
David Aziz came, he flew inthe JFK and then seven pages of
paragraphs of dialogue and so in thatsituation you have to memorize it. What
(37:52):
one of the keys for any listeningactors or people who want to pick up
something is to attach emotional value towhat you're talking about. Yes, because
that's how it is in the realway. You feel a way about everything
you're saying. Yes. About everyoneyou're talking to, you feel some kind
of way indifference, hate, lovein between. So even who you're talking
(38:15):
about, what you're thinking about,you attach emotional value to what you're talking
about. And the master people atexposition always have a point of view about
what they're talking about. And that'sabout every moment. And you see it
like in real life, when youtalk about a person that's not here,
you see them and you and youhave a feeling for you don't realize,
(38:36):
but you can see in your eyeswhen you talk about your mom, as
a person talked about your kids,yeah, or somebody else, it's different,
they're not here. But that's howyou do when you're acting, When
you're talking about things, you havea connection, and that's what sets,
the part you had something you wereshotting down notes. I was taking notes
too, you know, I'm learningfrom the master class. Yeah, okay,
(39:00):
what well, yeah, I hopeI'm not jumping way to a head.
But you know, one of thethings that I really love about just
actors in general, like you haveyour art form and then you have your
life and sometimes they merge together inan interesting way. Um. And so
(39:21):
you know, just going through I'vefollowed you, followed you, yes,
but good way. Um, Butlooking at your social media right, um,
you uplift black men, black women, you uplift people in general,
not just black culture correct, that'svery specific for sure, but just people
(39:45):
in general. You have this inspirationalmessage about life and how we live life.
And I see reoccurring on your postsyou have you are enough. You
tend to do that every week weekly, you know. And so why you
are enough? That's my question?Yes, yes, yes, why are
(40:06):
you enough? That is the ageold question. This isn't just for artists,
entertainers, actors, athletes, anybody, celebrities. This is for everybody
out there, because if you don'tbelieve in yourself, who will. But
the minute you do the heights,you can achieve are limitless. That is
Part one with my guest ali MeBallard on What's Your Name Again? The
podcast with America's podcaster or kirkcas Serras. Oh just wait till part two comes
(40:30):
back, because he's gonna drop downand answer to that question that you would
not believe. It is gonna blowyou away, And if I remember correctly,
it brings tears to my eyes,It brings goose bumps towards skin,
It takes the breath away because theway he lays it down for us is
gonna open everybody's eyes to life andyour future and what's you're capable of.
(40:54):
These are my co hosts, Anthonyis Easy and Chosan Moni. I'm What's
your Name Again? The podcast onceagain the great, amazing talented ali Me
Billard with America's podcast Kirkus Stairs andwe will see you in part two after good Night
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