Arts & Entertainment
Michael Ealy: ‘Think Like a Man’ Interview
Kam Williams
Special To The Skanner News
B
orn in Silver Spring, Maryland on
Aug. 3, 1973, Michael Ealy majored
in English at the University of Mary-
land before heading to New York City
where he performed in several stage pro-
ductions, including the off-Broadway hits
“Joe Fearless” and “Whoa Jack.” After find-
ing his breakout screen role as Ricky Nash
in “Barbershop” and “Barbershop 2,”
Michael rapidly rose through the ranks as
one of Hollywood’s emerging young actors.
Since then, he’s starred opposite Kate
Beckinsale in “Underworld Awaken-
ing” and opposite Matt Dillon, Idris
Elba and Hayden Christensen in the
action flick “Takers,” and he was per-
sonally picked by Will Smith to play
his younger brother in “Seven
Pounds.” He’s also portrayed a Buffa-
lo Soldier in the Spike Lee World War
II epic “Miracle at St. Anna,” and
appeared in “For Colored Girls” with
Kimberly Elise, Janet Jackson,
Thandie Newton, Whoopi Goldberg and
Phylicia Rashad.
On television, Michael is set to co-star in
the new detective series, “Common Law,”
which debuts on the USA Network on May
11. His other TV credits include stints on
“The Good Wife,” “Californication” and
“FlashForward.” As for accolades, a stellar
performance on the Showtime miniseries
“Sleeper Cell” earned him a Golden Globe
nomination.
In addition, he was cast by Oprah Winfrey
to star opposite Halle Berry in the made-for-
TV movie “Their Eyes Were Watching
God,” landing the first of his three NAACP
Image Award nominations for his sterling
performance in the picture. Here, he talks
about playing Dominic in his latest picture,
“Think Like a Man,” Steve Harvey’s battle-
of-the-sexes comedy which is currently
number one at the box office.
Kam Williams: Hi Michael, thanks for
the time.
Michael Ealy: Hey, Kam, how’s it going,
dude?
KW: Great, thanks. What interested you
in “Think Like a Man?”
ME: Honestly, it was the first romantic
comedy that I liked. I’d kind of avoided
them for awhile because I never felt that any
of them were really smart enough. But
when I read this script, I genuinely fell in
love with the characters, especially my own.
‘Yes, the cast is
predominantly African-
American, but color is
never really an issue in the
film’
So, I just wanted to be a part of it.
KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles asks: How
flattering or unflattering to the image of the
black male are the “types” that the actors
are asked to portray in this film?
ME: That’s another great thing about this
picture. Yes, the cast is predominantly
African-American, but color is never really
an issue in the film. It’s rarely brought up
since, at the end of the day, these guys are
going through universal relationship issues
that anybody can relate to. So, while the
characters like “The non-committer,” “The
Player,” and “The Dreamer” might be rec-
ognizable as common stereotypes, color
isn’t involved.
KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks:
Did you do any preparation for your role as
Ealy, right, starred in Spike Lee's 'Miracle at St. Anna' with Omar Benson Miller
and Italian child actor Matteo Sciabordi.
a food service worker by spending time in my sister was that we graduate from col-
lege. And as soon as I fulfilled that, they
restaurants?
ME: The irony is that I spent five years as were extremely supportive of what I wanted
a waiter at a restaurant in New York City at to do next. I will always be grateful to them
the beginning of my acting career. So, I had for that, because I wouldn’t be where I am
a little bit of experience in food service. today without their help and encourage-
Fortunately, I didn’t actually have to pre- ment.
KW: How hard was it working with an
pare anything on camera in the movie,
which saved me from having to take any ensemble cast with so many big stars? Was
cooking classes. [Chuckles] But I always it hard to get a little elbow room to do your
thing?
appreciate a good chef.
ME: No, it felt a lot like my first movie,
KW: How did your parents feel about
your becoming a struggling actor after help “Barbershop,” which was also an ensemble
putting you through college? Did they ever film, and which was also directed by Tim
pressure you to abandon acting for a more Story. So, it was sort of like a ten-year
reunion.
practical profession?
KW: Tell me a little about your new TV
ME: No. my parents, God bless ‘em,
were very supportive of me and my decision
to pursue acting. Their dream for me and
See EALY on page 10
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Page 6 The Portland and Seattle Skanner May 2, 2012