I grew up in the 90's; a time when the "Hood Classic" type of films were being doled out by the boatload. Some people my age and older look back at those films with disdain and contempt, but just like many of the movie goers that came before me in the 70's that loved the riskay edginess of Blaxploitation films, I never looked for the negative, just what was relate-able and what I thought was truly fly.
I think that the earlier, better Blaxploitation films were pre-cursors for many a hood cinema flick and actor in the 90's and so maybe that broad influence is why some of the people I mention had that lil' dose of magic surrounding their performance...See, back then, CGI and all this other stuff wasn't developed kiddies...actors had to bring it with they dramatic performances or otherwise face gettin' clowned on by more than just Siskel and Ebert. The whole hood would be snappin' on you for sure if you wasn't reppin' right on the big screen. Don't believe me, just ask LL Cool J about his role/Music video for "Deep Blue Sea".
We applauded the lil' cameos many a cool rapper would garner like Snoop's role in "Half Baked", but moved on to root for seriously talented cats like Larenz Tate who nailed his performances in films like "Menace II Society", "Dead Presidents" and "Love Jones". This post is dedicated to all the people in that same vein. Actors and actresses that were stealing the spotlight back then and what exactly has happened to em' since their finest moments on the silver screen....
They all hold a special place in my heart and mind. Some of them you laughed with, some you cried with, some made you feel empowered and some you imitated well past the height of their career's were gone. In any case, most of the time they felt like family and the VHS copy of their timeless performances sit nicely around your entertainment center. While many would just dismiss most of these faces as "black C-list actors/actresses", I saw and still see much, much more...
-BIG D O
De'Aundre Bonds (Get On The Bus, Sunset Park, The Wood, Tales From The Hood)
This budding film actor was well on his way to working more extensively in Hollywood in the late 90's after turning heads with a stoic and true to life delivery in movies like "Sunset Park" and "Get On The Bus". Unfortunatley Bonds' life took a tragic turn in 2001 when he was convicted of manslaughter. He is currently serving his 11 yr. sentence in a California Rehab Center.
Sharron Corley (New Jersey Drive, The Substitute, New York Undercover)
After a sterling and lifelike performance in New Jersey Drive, Corley only made two more credited performances, one being on the hit television show "New York Undercover". Over the years Corley has appeared in a sorted few street DVD's, but has strayed far away from the silver screen and by the late 90's had discontnued his career as an actor.
Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins (Lean On Me, Juice, Bullet, Phat Beach)
Best known for his performance alongside Tupac Shakur in "Juice" and Morgan Freeman in "Lean On Me", Hopkins started out as 14 yr. old actor and soon rose up to be involved in a few classic films and did some TV appearances as well. Today, Hopkins is married and raising his son, after it was heavily rumored that his bids to play The late Notorious B.I.G. in the biopic evaporated.
Taral Hicks (A Bronx Tale, Belly, Subway Stories: Tales From The Underground)
A stunning beauty who's role in the film "A Bronx Tale" helped vault her into a career in movies, Hicks went on to sign a recording contract with Motown records in 1996 and had a few charting hit singles. By 2005 she had resumed acting briefly, but now mainly lives as a married teacher in New Jersey raising her son.
Antwon Tanner (Sunset Park, The Wood, Never Die Alone, Coach Carter)
Another promising star that emerged from the cast of "Sunset Park", Tanner has worked within' movies and TV often since his debut role as a basketaball player, which is one he has duplicated quite a bit. Unfortunately, the decent amount of work that Tanner found on-screen didn't derail him from falling into trouble with Federal authorites. On August 20th, Tanner pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Federal court to selling more than a dozen Social Security numbers for $10,000 a piece. Tanner's sentencing is set for next month.
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