Jeffrey Wright, in my eyes, is one of Hollywood’s hidden gems. Why is he “hidden”? Probably because when I talk about how awesome Jeffrey Wright is, I basically have to draw a sketch of the brother or pull up a YouTube clip for people to be on the same page. Why is he a “gem”? Have you seen any of his movies? He’s an amazing character actor as well as an incomparable biographical film role actor. Plus, for the most part, he’s pretty easy on the eyes as well. Here are just a few reasons we have love for Jeffrey Wright, a very underrated yet amazing actor who’s having a great week…
Wright as Basquiat
He Can Play Just About Anybody
Seriously, have you seen him as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Boycott? Or how about crazy a** Peoples Hernandez in Shaft? Colin Powell in W.? Or Jean Michel Basquiat in Basquiat? Jeffrey Wright has crazy range, so much so that even if he doesn’t look exactly like a real person he’s supposed to be playing, he still embodies their voice, mannerisms and everything that makes them…well, them. How many folks (aside from an Angela Bassett or Morgan Freeman) can you say actually do that?
Ian Wilson/WENN.com
He’ll Be On Boardwalk Empire Soon
If you weren’t watching Boardwalk Empire already (I’ve tuned in a few times just to stalk Michael K. Williams from The Wire fame), you now have a pretty handsome reason to. According to Vulture, Wright will be on playing Valentin Narcisse, “Doctor of Divinity, philanthropist, student of culture and the man who runs Harlem.” Aw shucky ducky! Word is, Wright’s character might become somewhat of a rival to Williams’ Chalky White character, but what ever kind of entertainment Narcisse brings to the table, I’m sure it will be another dope performance by Wright.
He’s Going To Be In Catching Fire Too!
If Boardwalk Empire news wasn’t enough, this week the poster of Wright in character as Beetee in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was revealed and it set off a frenzy for Hunger Games fans and Wright fans alike. The character of Beetee is something of an engineer, very intelligent with electronics and wiring, and it will help him in the 75th Hunger Games battle, the Quarter Quell. So now that you know all that…mad excited right?
Adriana M. Barraza/WENN
Though He’s Not That Known To Some, He’s Won Many An Award For His Acting Talents
Someone is watching Wright other than us, because despite the fact that he’s not been a lead in many major films yet, he’s picked up a Golden Globe and Emmy award for his work as the homophobic Belize in Angels in America, and an AFI Actor of the Year award for his work as Martin Luther King Jr. in Boycott. He’s been nominated for Independent Spirit Awards as well as Screen Actors Guild Awards and won a Tony. Clearly the man is an amazing actor, both on stage and on-screen.
PNP/WENN.com
He’s Married To My Naija Sista, Carmen Ejogo
As a Nigerian myself, I can’t help but like Jeffrey Wright for marrying the very beautiful Carmen Ejogo, not really just because she’s Nigerian, but because she’s another very talented individual whose acting is pretty underrated. You’ve seen her in movies like Sparkle, Alex Cross and The Brave One. The couple married in 2000, have a son named Elijah and live in Brooklyn. They met while working on Boycott together and have attached to the hip (or something like that) ever since. Gotta love black love!
