Bet You Didn’t Know: Secrets Behind The Making Of “Claudine”

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A first for Lawrence

Remember Lawrence Hilton Jacobs? He played the role of “Charles,” Claudine’s eldest son. This was Lawrence’s big screen debut. After that he went on to star in films like Cooley High, Roots and perhaps most heinous, the role of Joe Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream  got his start with Claudine. It was his first major movie role. In this interview with Kam Williams, Hilton-Jacpbs explained how having three projects airing simultaneously made him something like a household name.

KW: Would you say that Cooley High was your breakout role?

Lawrence Hilton Jacobs: Oh, big time! Yet, it’s funny how these things can overlap. Back in those days, when a movie came out, it might stay in theaters for a year or even longer. So, I had done Claudine and Cooley High, and then “Welcome Back, Kotter.” And they were all out at the same time. So, I was all over the place.

KW: What was it like to have that degree of fame all of a sudden?

Lawrence Hilton Jacobs: It was like an explosion. You just don’t get ready for it. I don’t even know how you can, because you just don’t expect it. For me, up until that point, you would do a gig, and then you’d go out and try to find the next job. So, I had no idea what effect something blockbustering would have. To me, it was just a job that I was trying to do the best I could. We had shot the first five shows before it went on the air. Then, it was this firecracker hit, and people were recognizing me, so it was just nuts. It was overwhelming, insane, wonderful and scary all at the same time. It’s really peculiar that people see you on television and then think they have a personal relationship with you. So, they want to touch you, and grab you, and sit down and have lunch with you. It’s strange, and you never get used to that.

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