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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 28 September 2019
Versatile Forest Whitaker goes from crime boss to music man

By LYNN ELBER dictator Idi Amin in 2006’s
AP Television Writer “The Last King of Scotland”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — For- put him in the company
est Whitaker plays a real- of the handful of African
life crime boss in Epix’s new Americans to receive the
drama series “Godfather best actor Oscar.
of Harlem” with the com- It was youthful idealism that
manding intensity expect- helped him reject work that
ed from him. What’s less didn’t match his aspira-
expected is the movie mu- tions. For Whitaker, acting
sical he filmed in London didn’t equal stardom or a
this summer, a U-turn for steady gig; it was a quest,
the actor who started out as he put it, to find “the pi-
a singer. lot light of each person”
“Jingle Jangle,” a Netf- and understand human
lix movie set for a holiday connections.
2020 release, and “God- “I was offered a soap op-
father of Harlem” highlight era, I said, nah. That has
Whitaker’s range and why nothing to do with what I’m
he switched to acting — trying to do. And it ultimate-
this despite the vocal talent ly worked, where I ended
that earned him a schol- up getting to play some
arship to the University of very unique characters
Southern California’s music throughout this 30-some- This image released by Epix shows Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson, left, in a scene from
school and attracted his thing years,” Whitaker, 58, “Godfather of Harlem,” premiering Sept. 29.
first agent. told The Associated Press. Associated Press
“I didn’t think I would be “And I’m still getting the City turf and young activ- was interesting to me as Paul Sorvino and Chazz Pal-
able to affect the people opportunity. This charac- ist Malcolm X on the rise. something to develop and minteri also are in the cast.
from my own communities. ter of Bumpy Johnson is a Whitaker, also an execu- something to be able to be The score is composed by
I didn’t think they would unique and iconic figure to tive producer for the series, a part of as an actor. It was by Mark Isham, with tunes
even watch” the likes of get to play.” said he’d had only a glanc- amazing.” from the ‘60s or earlier are
light opera, he said. “So The 10-episode “Godfather ing knowledge of Johnson Whitaker’s on-set de- featured, along with con-
I made the decision that of Harlem,” debuting 10 from films including 1997’s meanor was critical to the temporary songs produced
acting would be the way, p.m. EDT Sunday, is part of “Hoodlum,” which starred production, according to by Swizz Beatz with artists
and I walked away from a string of TV movie and se- Laurence Fishburne. executive producer Chris including John Legend and
music.” ries projects he’s done over “I really didn’t know the Brancato. “Everyone cap- DMX.
After earning a degree the years, including a guest depth of his personality or tures his energy, which is so The story and its people
from USC’s drama school, turn in Fox’s hip-hop drama the depth of his influence sweet and gentle,” he said were carefully researched
Whitaker gained notice for “Empire” that let Whitaker on the community. I didn’t at a recent Epix red-carpet through books and inter-
early films including “Pla- briefly put his vocal skills realize or understand the event in New York. views with those who lived
toon” and “Good Morning, on display (as he did in the relationship between him Vincent D’Onofrio plays in Harlem during Johnson’s
Vietnam” and was hon- 2013 film “Black Nativity”). and Malcolm X. I didn’t Johnson’s chief rival in time, Brancato said. Ells-
ored at the Cannes Film Whitaker plays Johnson in know about his family life,” crime, with Ilfenesh Hade- worth Raymond Johnson,
Festival for his portrayal of the early 1960s, returning Johnson’s links to the civil ra as Johnson’s wife; Ni- nicknamed Bumpy as a
jazz great Charlie Parker home from prison to find rights movement or what gel Thatch as Malcolm X, child, was born in 1905 in
in 1988’s “Bird.” His searing Italian American gangsters drove him, Whitaker said and Giancarlo Esposito as South Carolina and died of
performance as Ugandan muscling in on his New York in a panel discussion. “That Adam Clayton Powell Jr. heart failure in 1968.q

Stars, Global Citizen founder

outline massive 2020 concert

By ARON RANEN man said Thursday that direct way of using what
Associated Press Evans’ dream of eradicat- we do to help everyone
NEW YORK (AP) — The an- ing extreme poverty seems use their own voice,” said
nual Global Citizen Festival achievable. “You get that Martin of “Coldplay.”
is happening this weekend feeling, this is going to hap- Saturday’s Global Citizen
in New York but founder pen.” Festival in New York’s Cen-
Hugh Evans is thinking big- The initiative will culminate tral Park will feature per-
ger. He’s enlisted some of with a live 10-hour concert formances from Queen,
the world’s top talent in- held across five continents Adam Lambert, French
cluding Hugh Jackman, on Sept. 26, 2020. Perform- Montana and more. “The
Pharrell, Chris Martin and ers taking part include Ali- Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star
Metallica, to kick off a cia Keys, Billie Eilish, Eddie Rachel Brosnahan will also
yearlong campaign called Vedder, H.E.R., Miley Cyrus, help keep the event mov-
Global Goal Live: The Pos- Red Hot Chili Peppers, Usher ing.
sible Dream. and more. It will be broad- The festival calls on gov- Hugh Jackman participates in the Global Citizens “Global
“It is a massive movement,” cast live from New York, La- ernment and businesses Goal Live: The Possible Dream” press conference at St. Ann’s
said Jackman, who will gos, Nigeria and other cit- to fight infectious diseases, Warehouse on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in New York.
co-host Saturday’s Global ies in Latin America, Europe empower women and Associated Press
Citizen fest with his wife and Asia. girls, combat plastic pol- ity education. MSNBC will iHeartMedia will broadcast
Deborra-lee Furness. Jack- “It just felt like an amazing, lution and provide qual- simulcast the festival, and the festival on radio. q