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| Nu Entertainment Productions |
| Nu Magazine |
| Bill Duke Is A Big Teddy Bear |
| Bill Duke and Jeffrey on the stairs of the Village East Theater. Bill is not only a successful actor but a well respected director, whose latest film "Cover", a murder mystery highlighting the prevalence of AIDS in the Black community, is a powerful film with an even more powerful message. |
I had always been a big fan of Bill Duke’s, not only for his talent,
but because I like anyone who can walk into a room and
command respect just by his presence. At a massive 6’4”, with
a shaved head, Bill Duke is that kind of guy.
He came to prominence way back in 1976, in the movie “Car
Wash” where he played angry Black Muslim activist Abdullah
Mohammed Akbar, “formerly known as Duane”, and then, in
1980, showed the extent of his talent by playing a gay guy in the
classic film “American Gigolo.”
Bill told me that in Washington, D.C. alone, one out of every 7
Black men has AIDS, and that is unacceptable. He said it’s great
that we are so concerned about AIDS in Africa, but it’s important
not to forget about what’s happening in our own country.
What made me get up the courage to go over and talk to Bill is
that he also gives a lot of his time to working with inner city kids,
and mentors them into the performing arts. Turns out he’s the
nicest guy you’d ever want to meet.
When I told him I was being honored as part of Black History
Month for creating comedy workshops for inner city kids by an
organization called “BUILD”, he immediately introduced me to his
beautiful girlfriend Michelle Revere, who immediately introduced
me to her sister Janine Saulsberry who is very active in non-
profit charities, and was very supportive of what I was planning
to do.
but because I like anyone who can walk into a room and
command respect just by his presence. At a massive 6’4”, with
a shaved head, Bill Duke is that kind of guy.
He came to prominence way back in 1976, in the movie “Car
Wash” where he played angry Black Muslim activist Abdullah
Mohammed Akbar, “formerly known as Duane”, and then, in
1980, showed the extent of his talent by playing a gay guy in the
classic film “American Gigolo.”
Bill told me that in Washington, D.C. alone, one out of every 7
Black men has AIDS, and that is unacceptable. He said it’s great
that we are so concerned about AIDS in Africa, but it’s important
not to forget about what’s happening in our own country.
What made me get up the courage to go over and talk to Bill is
that he also gives a lot of his time to working with inner city kids,
and mentors them into the performing arts. Turns out he’s the
nicest guy you’d ever want to meet.
When I told him I was being honored as part of Black History
Month for creating comedy workshops for inner city kids by an
organization called “BUILD”, he immediately introduced me to his
beautiful girlfriend Michelle Revere, who immediately introduced
me to her sister Janine Saulsberry who is very active in non-
profit charities, and was very supportive of what I was planning
to do.
| Bill Duke and his beautiful lady Michelle Revere |
Bill’s movie stars Viveca A. Fox, Aunjanue Ellis, Lou Gossett Jr., Patti LaBelle, and actor/singer Leon, who wound up
inviting me to the opening of his play with Billy Dee Williams at The Beacon Theatre, called “Three Ways To Get A
Husband.” A funny comic named Reggie Reg, who does great impressions, was in that play as well.
inviting me to the opening of his play with Billy Dee Williams at The Beacon Theatre, called “Three Ways To Get A
Husband.” A funny comic named Reggie Reg, who does great impressions, was in that play as well.
| Leon and Jeffrey at the Beacon Theatre |
Did you know that Billy Dee’s real name is William December Williams? Neither did I, but it’s true. Billy Dee sounds
so much cooler than just Bill Williams, or William D. Williams, or even Bill Billiams! There’s so much power in a name.
What sounds better as an introduction, … Bond, … James Bond, or Binder, … Jimmy Binder? Point made?
Leon’s play was fantastic even though a fistfight broke out in the audience during the performance, but to the actor’s
credit, no one on stage even flinched. They just kept on doing what they were supposed to do, until everything quieted
down.
so much cooler than just Bill Williams, or William D. Williams, or even Bill Billiams! There’s so much power in a name.
What sounds better as an introduction, … Bond, … James Bond, or Binder, … Jimmy Binder? Point made?
Leon’s play was fantastic even though a fistfight broke out in the audience during the performance, but to the actor’s
credit, no one on stage even flinched. They just kept on doing what they were supposed to do, until everything quieted
down.
My inner African-American self emerged this month, and culminated in me being honored at The Kaye Playhouse of
Hunter College as part of Black History Month, by an organization called “BUILD” which stands for “Building Up
Lifelong Individual Dreams”.
It was founded by two incredible sisters, Kathryne and Dawn Leak, and focuses on bringing positive self-images and
wellness to the inner city by offering educational seminars in the areas of Fashion, Art, Physical Fitness and Personal
Development.
Chris Mazzilli, owner of the beautiful, new multi-million dollar Gotham Comedy Club on West 23rd Street, was kind
enough to offer me his club to use for the workshops, cause that’s the kind of guy he is!
I already have support from many well known comedian friends like Susie Essman, Dean Edwards, Chuck Nice, and
Patrice Oneal, who have volunteered to be celeb/guest comics.
At the well attended Hunter event, lots of people in the comedy community, like Dante Nero of XM Radio, Reese
Waters, and Macio and Gina Parilla, of Macio TV, came out to support me and the workshops.
I was particularly grateful to see my old friend Karith Foster, who was recently chosen as Don Imus’ radio sidekick on
WABC-AM radio. I am so happy for her well-deserved success, and always knew she’d do something big. Talent
always finds a home! Congrats again Karith!
Hunter College as part of Black History Month, by an organization called “BUILD” which stands for “Building Up
Lifelong Individual Dreams”.
It was founded by two incredible sisters, Kathryne and Dawn Leak, and focuses on bringing positive self-images and
wellness to the inner city by offering educational seminars in the areas of Fashion, Art, Physical Fitness and Personal
Development.
Chris Mazzilli, owner of the beautiful, new multi-million dollar Gotham Comedy Club on West 23rd Street, was kind
enough to offer me his club to use for the workshops, cause that’s the kind of guy he is!
I already have support from many well known comedian friends like Susie Essman, Dean Edwards, Chuck Nice, and
Patrice Oneal, who have volunteered to be celeb/guest comics.
At the well attended Hunter event, lots of people in the comedy community, like Dante Nero of XM Radio, Reese
Waters, and Macio and Gina Parilla, of Macio TV, came out to support me and the workshops.
I was particularly grateful to see my old friend Karith Foster, who was recently chosen as Don Imus’ radio sidekick on
WABC-AM radio. I am so happy for her well-deserved success, and always knew she’d do something big. Talent
always finds a home! Congrats again Karith!
| MY BLACK HISTORY MONTH HONOR |
| Kathryne and Dawn Leak |
| Radio personality Karith Foster, Jeffrey and comic Dante Nero at The Kaye Playhouse |
Very often when I attend a press junket for the release of a film, I bring an assistant to take photos or video. For the
press junket for Will Ferrell’s new film “Semi-Pro” starring Will, Woody Harrelson, Maura Tierney, Will Arnett, and
Andre 3000 from Outkast, I was all by my lonesome! ( What is this 1860? Where did I get an expression like that?)
press junket for Will Ferrell’s new film “Semi-Pro” starring Will, Woody Harrelson, Maura Tierney, Will Arnett, and
Andre 3000 from Outkast, I was all by my lonesome! ( What is this 1860? Where did I get an expression like that?)
So when it came time for me to ask a question, I was left holding a hand held mike in one hand, while awkwardly
holding the video camera in my other hand. I was doing my best to speak into the mike, while shooting the video
camera at the same time, totally blocking out my face as I was speaking, and probably looking very foolish, kind of
like a one-man band.
Lately all Will's movies are about sports, so I asked him what sport his next film would be on and after commenting on
my multi-tasking ability, which drew a pretty big laugh, especially from those around me who saw my predicament, he
said his next film was going to be an expose on a guy who traveled the world holding a microphone in one hand and a
camera in the other hand while simultaneously interviewing people, and thereby creating a new sport! The Olympic
sport of "Multi-Tasking"!
The room erupted in laughter at my expense!
holding the video camera in my other hand. I was doing my best to speak into the mike, while shooting the video
camera at the same time, totally blocking out my face as I was speaking, and probably looking very foolish, kind of
like a one-man band.
Lately all Will's movies are about sports, so I asked him what sport his next film would be on and after commenting on
my multi-tasking ability, which drew a pretty big laugh, especially from those around me who saw my predicament, he
said his next film was going to be an expose on a guy who traveled the world holding a microphone in one hand and a
camera in the other hand while simultaneously interviewing people, and thereby creating a new sport! The Olympic
sport of "Multi-Tasking"!
The room erupted in laughter at my expense!
| Multi-Tasking With Will Ferrell |
| Jeffrey with Andre 3000 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel |
| Will Arnett and Jeffrey at the Semi-Pro. press conference |
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