Local News
Morris Chestnut: “The Best Man Holiday” Interview
M
orris Chestnut was born on New
Year’s Day 1969 in Cerritos,
Calif., where he was a student-
athlete in high school, en route to majoring
in finance and drama at California State
University. He made his big screen debut
opposite Ice Cube in John Singleton’s
“Boyz n the Hood,” and subsequently
enjoyed his breakout role as the groom-to-
be in Malcolm Lee’s “The Best Man.”
The handsome heartthrob has been a
much-in-demand leading man ever since,
starring in hits like “The Call,” “Think Like a Man,” “Iden-
tity Thief,” “The Brothers,” “Not Easily Broken,” “Kick
Ass 2,” “Two Can Play That Game,” “Breakin’ All the
Rules,” “The Perfect Holiday,” “Half Past Dead,” “Like
Mike,” “Ladder 94” and “The Game Plan.” A dedicated
family man away from work, Morris and his wife, Pam, live
in suburban L.A. with their son, Grant, and daughter, Paige.
Here, he talks about reprising the memorable role of
Lance Sullivan in the eagerly-anticipated sequel, “The Best
Man Holiday.”
Kam Williams: Hey Morris, thanks for another inter-
view.
Morris Chestnut: No problem,
no problem, Kam. Thank YOU,
again.
KW: I loved the film. It was like
attending a reunion with a whole
lot of folks I hadn’t seen in a long-
time.
MC: Oh, that’s great!
KW: I’m going to mix my ques-
tions for you in with some sent in
by fans.
MC: Perfect!
KW: Chalyn Toon asks: Does Lance trust Harper around
Mia knowing their past? Does Lance and Mia's relationship
suffer from his being haunted by the images of what hap-
pened between his wife and best friend?
MC: That’s interesting. Lance definitely trusts Mia. And
I’ve always been that type of person. You really don’t have
to worry about your spouse, as long as you trust him or her.
If you trust your spouse or whoever you’re in a relationship
O
C ELEBRITY
I NTERVIEW
by Kam
Williams
KW: How did you feel about the arc of
your character this go-round?
MC: I was really excited about how all
the characters were layered and had
depth to them. Malcolm [director Mal-
colm Lee] wrote a really great script. As
for Lance’s arc, I think this is one of the
best roles I’ve ever had in a movie.
KW: What message do you think peo-
ple will take away from the film?
MC: There are so many messages, because the film has a
number of storylines. One thing I love about making an
ensemble film like this is that you can have ten people come
away from it with ten different messages.
KW: Director Rel Dowdell asks: Would you consider
your role in “The Best Man” or in “Boyz n the Hood” to be
your signature role, since both are iconic?
MC: [Chuckles] Wow! Thank you, Rel, I appreciate that.
I‘d like to think that they both are. “Boyz n the Hood” def-
initely put me on the map and really brought me into the
game. Hopefully, this one does
the same thing, twenty-some-
thing years later, because I feel
very strongly about it. It’s a
great, emotional role in a great
movie overall.
Nowadays, a lot of people
come to “Hollywood
thinking” that all they just
have to be [is] different or
do something outlandish
or have a huge personality
to become a star. But I
think that if you just focus
on the craft, you’ll have a
better chance at longevity
KW: Editor/Legist Patricia
Turnier asks: What did it mean to
you to reunite with the cast to
shoot this sequel?
MC: It was just wonderful com-
ing together again after all these
years, especially since we’d had such a great experience
before. It gave me a good feeling inside to reunite, almost
like family. We’d accomplished so much the first time, and
it was pretty much the same with the sequel.
C
with, everybody else doesn’t matter.
M
M
U
Morris Chestnut
cookies… all those kinds of desserts. Now I’m getting hun-
gry. [Chuckles]
KW: Patricia says: You have
been in the movie business for
decades. What advice do you
have for aspiring actors who
want to achieve longevity?
MC: I would say focus on
your craft. Nowadays, a lot of
people come to quote-unquote
Hollywood thinking that all they
just have to be different or do
something outlandish or have a
huge personality to become a
star. But I think that if you just
focus on the craft, you’ll have a
better chance at longevity.
KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
MC: It would definitely be the sweets. I try to keep in
shape and I always have to check myself. Whenever I binge
eat, sweets are the one temptation.
KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was
the last book you read?
MC: Woo! That’s a good question. I read so many scripts,
that I don’t do that much leisurely reading of books. But the
last, good, feature film script I read was “The Best Man
Holiday.”
KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite
clothes designer?
MC: I love Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, John Varvatos and
others along that line.
KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?
MC: I don’t really cook, but I like to eat sweets. When I
go to a restaurant, I’ll read the dessert menu before I even
look at the entrees. I love sweets, especially chocolate. Hot,
hot, warm chocolate fudge... caramel… chocolate chip
N
I
T
Y
C
A
L
KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?
MC: That’s a great question. What was Sanaa’s answer to
that?
KW: It’s been so long ago, I can’t remember. Sorry.
MC: Well, I’m excited by my family, sports and desserts.
[Chuckles]
KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
MC: Nothing special… just me. [LOL]
KW: The Mike Pittman question: What was your best
career decision?
MC: Signing on to do “The Best Man Holiday.”
See CELEBRITY on page 8
E
N
D
A
R
S EATTLE 2013
Friday November 22
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Saturday November 16
A NEW WAY TO GET HEALTH INSURANCE. Join us for
this free event to learn more about Washington’s
HealthPlanFinder, the new online health plan
market place. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. First AME Church,
1522 14th Ave. Seattle
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner November 13, 2013
TUMWATER HOLIDAY BAZAAR. Holiday is fast
approaching so please join us for one-of-a-kind
gifts crafted by local artisans as well as some
interesting manufactured items. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pellegrino’s Event Center, 5757 Littlerock Rd. SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
Tuesday November 19
SEATTLE MARINERS STADIUM TOUR. We at the O2
Program are fortunate to get a behind the
scenes private tour of the Mariners Stadium. Pick-
ups and drop-offs Ballard High School 3 p.m.
Northgate Community Center 3:30 p.m. Return to
Northgate Community Center/Ballard High School
by 7 p.m. Free for all to enjoy. Call for details
and sign ups 206-390-1018
WILD TALES – A ROCK & ROLL LIFE. An evening
with Graham Nash: EMP Museum will host an
exclusive event with legendary musician Graham
Nash, who will discuss his new autobiography,
Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life. Doors open at 7
p.m. Event begins at 7:30 p.m. Free. This event is
a first come, first seated event. All ages
welcome. EMP Museum, JBL Theater, 325 5th Ave.
N. Seattle, WA
Saturday November 24
2013 NW BLACK COLLECTOR’S HOLIDAY BAZAAR.
Items for sale include but are not limited to Black
Santas (table top and animated), Black holiday
figurines, dolls and much more. Lakewood
Seward Park Community Club, 4916 S. Angeline
St. 1 – 4 p.m.