You’ve seen his face in movies such as “The Five Heartbeats,” “Love and Basketball” and the Oscar-winning film, “Ray,” just to name a few. People should begin to remember the name Harry Lennix because this actor’s resume is long and he is showing no signs of stopping.
Lennix is an accomplished film and television actor, who currently stars as Harold Cooper, assistant director of counterterrorism for the FBI on the new NBC series “The Blacklist.” The series premieres Sept. 23 and will air Mondays at 10 p.m.
Moviegoers saw him this summer in the blockbuster “Man of Steel” as General Swanwick.
In 2006, Lennix starred in the Golden Globe nominated ABC series “Commander in Chief” as Jim Gardner, the Chief of Staff to the U.S. president. He also starred as political activist Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in Showtime’s “Keep the Faith Baby” (2002) for which he won a Black Reel Award, a Golden Satellite Award and a NAACP Image Award nomination. Other television credits include “ER,” “Diagnosis Murder” and the critically acclaimed “24.”
The Chicago native is also a talented stage actor. Lennix made his Broadway debut in Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson’s Tony nominated “Radio Golf.” He has directed and appeared in stage productions across the country including the stage version of Robert Townsend’s “The Five Heartbeats,” which received three NAACP Theater Award nominations.
In 1989, along with renowned director Chuck Smith, he founded Legacy Productions, a company dedicated to promoting significant works about the African-American experience.
Lennix also belongs to several civic organizations such as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. He is also on the Advisory Council for Northwestern University, his alma mater.
With his career in full swing, Lennix took time out of his busy schedule to talk with the Indianapolis Recorder about his storied career, his views on the current state of Black entertainment and more.
Recorder: When did you get bit by the acting bug?
Harry Lennix: I started acting in earnest sometime in high school. I went to Northwestern University and started working professionally while I was still a student there in Chicago theater. One thing led to another. When I had felt I had reached the limit of where I could go in Chicago, I moved to New York then Los Angeles.
What do you remember about your first big role?
In theater my first big role was Levee in August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” That really put me on the map in terms of Chicago theater.
With regards to feature film, I guess I knew I would be OK was when I did this movie called “The Package.” It was a very early movie, but I got to work with Gene Hackman and other great actors. I knew at that point I could have a career in this if I kept to my principles and training.
You’ve starred in a wide variety of genres. How do you choose your roles?
It’s an interesting part or if it’s fully dimensional. It doesn’t have to be the biggest part in the movie, but someone who has purpose. As you get to know more about him or the circumstance he’s in, then I’m good with that.
There also are times when you have to take a job because you need the money. (Chuckles) But most of the time, I like to look at roles that have something for me to do. I don’t like to just be there and I don’t like playing certain types of parts that I feel are not representative of the experiences I’ve observed as an actor or scholar.
Many Black actors state there aren’t enough roles for them. How have you managed thus far?
I don’t think that statement is true; there are many roles for Black actors and actresses. What I do find troubling is the type of roles. If you look at the vast majority of roles for Black people, Black men in particular, there’s generally two or three stereotypes they’ll play. I think there’s a lot of that out there.
You’ve also openly expressed your opinion about the current state of Black entertainment.
Yes. I made statements in 2012, but it has come to be of interest again. It was my response to the script I read for “The Butler.”
I’m sick of (these types of movies) and I’m offended by them. We’re almost 400 years in this country and we’re still slaves and menials. We have other things in our history. I don’t know what gain there is – unless you’re going to shed some light on what that experience was in some comprehensive way or a way that is uplifting or at least beautiful to look at or well done.
Then there’s no point. It’s dragging history through the mud with no real insight into the circumstances they were living in. It’s lightly touching on things that are of great importance. If we’re going to touch them, then let’s explore them. But we don’t do that in our films. We have modifications in history – sometimes outright lies – or scandalizing for effect. I’m not a censor or moralist. I’m just a guy who thinks “do we need to drag people’s history through the mud?”
This summer, you starred in the blockbuster “Man of Steel.” What was it like starring in a film about such an iconic comic character?
It was great! I enjoyed working with director Zach Snyder and Henry Cavill who played the Man of Steel. I loved Super Man from the time I was a little boy. (Laughs) To be a grown man and to be standing opposite the man in the uniform, it was like wow! They had a terrific cast and to be able to work under those circumstances was a blessing.
You’ll be returning to television this fall in the new NBC Series “The Black List.” What is the show about?
“The Black List” is a list of people who may or may not be on the FBI’s most wanted list who represent a threat to the U.S. In exchange for a certain amount of autonomy, a very much-wanted criminal turns himself in to me at my office at the FBI. Each episode we get a lead on somebody who is of great danger to the U.S. We follow leads based on information given by the character Raymond Reddington played by James Spader. Every week is a new adventure.
You’ve recently added producer to your list of accomplishments. You produced “Mr. Sophistication” and “H4” based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV. Why did you decide to get into producing?
It’s one thing to complain about images, type of roles and the quality of work and so forth. I think people should continue to ask questions, but at some point, one has to ask themselves, “What am I doing to counter act it? What can I contribute to film, entertainment and culture?” If I have the means and the interest, is it not in some sense an obligation to participate? Not just as a gun for hire, so to speak, but also as a person who is making movies sell.
What are some career goals you hope to accomplish?
I’d like to do some more comedy. I’d like to do a romantic comedy before I get too much older. I’ve never really done that where I’ve been a central figure at least. I love action movies; big Hollywood movies. I’d also love to work with (Robert) DeNiro. I’d love to work with Morgan Freeman. It would be neat to someday work with Will Smith or Tom Cruise. I love their work and I think they are movie stars for a reason.
For more information on Harry Lennix’ film career, visit HarryLennix.org.
