Black Men/Silver Screen | The Angry Black Man

Samuel L. Jackson

Nobody in Hollywood can go from zero to sixty on the anger meter like Samuel L. Jackson. The native of the Nation’s Capitol has made his name, and built his career, with a string of high intensity, loud and sometime profane, yet effective performances. Jackson’s first big break came as a dancing, strung out crack addict in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever. Several years later, his scripture-quoting, gun-toting hitman, Jules, brought Jackson A-List status and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. Subsequently, in over 100 films, Jackson has played an array of both good and bad characters, plus has had his persona spoofed by Dave Chapelle. But one thing has remained constant; he still mad as hell and he definitely will let you know he won’t take it anymore

Up Next: Jackson plays a homeless who was a former boxing legend in Resurrecting the Champ and a knowledgeable hotel manager in the thriller, 1408.

Cinematic Forefather
Jim Brown

During the heights of the civil rights movements, Hollywood was struggling with Black actors’ transitions into unfamiliar roles. Much like the philosophies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X differed; Jim Brown style was seen as the antithesis of Sidney Poitier. Where Poitier was poised and smooth, Brown’s performances hit audiences with the power of the fist of fury. In The Dirty Dozen, Brown held it down among a cast of some of the biggest actors of his time. He made cinematic history in 1969’s 100 Rifles, when he became the first actor of color to have a love scene with a woman outside of his race (Raquel Welch) on-screen. Known primarily for his starring roles in 1970’s Black action films and numerous TV guest appearances, Brown’s legacy as arguably the greatest running back in football history and the first Black action star is secure.

Next Generation
Tyrese Gibson

After an inauspicious start featuring small guest spots on TV sitcoms and a short career as MTV VJ, Tyrese Gibson’s big break came in the John Singleton film, Baby Boy. Gibson portrayed a young man struggling with his immaturity and irresponsibility, while living at home. In subsequent films, Gibson has honed this quality of a slightly flawed man who when provoked quickly reaches his boiling point. Gibson starred in a string of films where adversaries that got on his bad side were quick to feel his cinematic wrath. While his experience is limited, it will be interesting to watch how Gibson’s career continues to evolve.

Up Next: Gibson stars in the CGI summer blockbuster, Transformers and will star in superhero film, Luke Cage.