Bokeem Woodbine is a very well known urban film contemporary. He has appeared in the movies Strapped, Life, Ray and Dead Presidents among others. He is also known for his leading role in the 1996 Tupac Shakur video "I Ain't Mad At You." Bokeem's latest movie Blood of a Champion co-starring Deborah Cox is in stores now.

What was it about the character of Shadow in Blood of a Champion that attracted you to the role?
Bokeem Woodbine-His sense of dignity. The character had a lot of stand up qualities. That was the first thing.

What have you been up to lately?
Bokeem Woodbine-Just chillin. I have a couple in the can so far this year. I got this picture called Edmund coming out in July with William Macy and Julia Stiles that should be hitting the screen June/July. Then I worked on this project called A Day In The Life which was directed by Sticky Fingers. Myself, Sticky Fingers, Omar Epps, Faizon Love and Meki Phifer are in it. It's an interesting project because all the dialogue is rhyme. It's kind of hard to describe but it's hot that's A Day In The Life and that should be out this year. I'm getting ready to do this project in a couple of months in Montreal called In Search of the Perfect White Woman.

How did you get your big break in acting?
Bokeem Woodbine-In Juice back in the day. It was Juice. The casting director a sister named Jackie Brown she hooked me up with an audition after being an extra she kept my info about a year later they were doing an open call for this picture called Strapped and she wanted me to come in and read. I came in an auditioned. That was like 93. Forest Whittikar directed it for HBO.

I also read that you went to Laguardia School of the Arts for high school do you think that helped prepare you for your acting career?
Bokeem Woodbine- You know among a bunch of things ya know what I mean. That was probably just one of the things. Growing up in New York period will help anyone in the industry of acting. I didn't go for acting at Laguardia. I went for music. But I used to hang out with the drama kids. I used to hang out with them cats. The drama side of the school was where the cutest girls where the drama department and the dance department. Even though I didn't go there for drama I would be there.

Do you still have an interest in music?
Bokeem Woodbine-Yeah. I'm in a band. I'm in a rock band. I'm the lead singer. We are working on a new name right now. We had one but the title was previously used so we had to shut that we have a demo and we're shopping that.

I was looking at a lot of your movies the other day and I just noticed your face is always so expressive is that something that you really work hard at or is your face naturally like that?
Bokeem Woodbine- Wow thank you. I don't even know. I don't know. That's the way it is I guess.

I always wanted to ask you this. Filming the 2Pac video for "I Ain't Mad At You," and him passing so soon afterwards what were your feelings after that because that video just seemed so prophetic.
Bokeem Woodbine-We shot the video in April and maybe even March and it usually takes a month or a month and a half for a video to come out and it didn't come out. It kept not coming out and I'm like "What the hell is going on I know that's a good video what's the deal." September when it happened when ole boy was assassinated I did think this is rather odd to tell you the truth. I don't know how I feel about that. I think he did a great job on the video. I was blessed that I got an opportunity to work with the brother I will never forget that day we had a great time that was fun as hell. Prophetic yeah.

Listen to Bokeem Woodbine

What was your experience filming the movie Ray?
Bokeem Woodbine-It was a blast. That was fun as hell. Just working with those cats is the coolest. Regina King, Jamie Foxx, my boy T. Howard was in town for a couple, hung out with him a few ticks, Clinton Powell, we had a ball it was not easy I'm not going to lie to you we did a lot of 16 hour days and it was hot in those vintage clothes and some of the sets. It was a fun time hanging with everybody and shooting in New Orleans it was one of the best experiences that I had working.

You've been in so many movies which finished product movie is like the favorite of yours that you've been in?
Bokeem Woodbine-I don't have just one.

A few?
Bokeem Woodbine-I like Dead Presidents. I liked working on Strapped, Blood of a Champion, Ray, Caught Up; I had a real good time filming that in Toronto Canada. Those are some of my more fun jobs. I've had fun on all the jobs I worked at.

Production still from Blood of a Champion

When you were filming Dead Presidents did you know it would become the modern urban classic that it would? I mean everyone has a films from the 90's Menace, Dead Presidents, did you think that movie would resonate with people like that?
Bokeem Woodbine-Yeah. We all knew we were on something.

What are you career goals as an actor?
Bokeem Woodbine-To have my own franchise character and maybe direct one day as well

Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is an author and the webmaster For Thabiz.com.
Bokeem Woodbine interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2006
Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is the author of Be My Sorority Sister Under Pressure and the Unplanned Pregnancy Book for Teens and College Students. She is the founder of Thabiz.com and Imissthe80s.com and writes for the Rap, Teen, and 1980s section at Bellaonline.com. She is an ASCAP member as a writer and a publisher. Please contact Dorrie for advertising inquiries, lyric writing inquiries, reprint rights, paying entertainment jobs, or general comments.
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Bokeem Woodbine interview may not be reprinted, copied or distribute without permission. You may link to this interview.Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com March 2006.