Doctor Rosewood Makes a House Call!
Actor Morris Chestnut landed two of his three NAACP Image Award nominations for his unforgettable performances as Lance in The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday. Fans of the franchise will be happy to hear that he is already slated to reprise the role in the franchise’s third installment, The Best Man Wedding. His additional credits include The Call with Halle Berry, Kick-Ass 2 with Chloe Grace Moretz, and Identity Thief with Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy.
Here, he talks about his new TV-series, Rosewood, where he’ll be playing the title character, Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr.
Kam Williams: Hey Morris. Thanks for the time. I’m honored to have another opportunity to speak with you.
Morris Chestnut: Thank you very much, Kam. I appreciate your interest in speaking with me.
KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you, so I’ll be mixing their questions in with mine. Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: How much fun is it playing a doctor and driving around in that fantastic yellow convertible?
MC: [Chuckles] You know it’s great! It’s a lotta fun. The character is witty, smart, and he has a great perspective on life and the world. And driving around the streets in that convertible is a blast.
KW: These two questions are very similar. Larry Greenberg asks: When you’re playing a doctor, do you feel like you need to understand the medical aspects of the role? And Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier asks: Are you being coached on the set by a physician to help make your impersonation of a doctor more credible?
MC: The answer is “yes” to both questions. I definitely prefer comprehending the medical aspects of the dialogue to spewing out words without understanding what I’m saying and why I’m saying it. It makes the character more believable when I understand that. And yes, we actually do have technical advisers on set at all times, and the writers often consult doctors while they’re working on the scripts. So, we definitely have authorities helping us get it right.
KW: Felicia says: How has this role been different from anything you’ve ever played before in terms of your expectations?
MC: I can’t say that it’s been different from every role I’ve played before. The characters more comedic and more humorous than I’ve been in quite some time.
KW: How is it starring in your own TV series? Is it a bit of a grind?
MC: I think grind is an understatement. There’s an extreme amount of work that goes into doing a television show, especially as a lead. I’m working 12 or 13-hour days during the week, And over the weekend, you’re preparing for the following week. You don’t really have any days off. So, yeah, it is a grind.
HW: Brian Carter would like to know whether you have any advice for aspiring young black actors who want to make it in Hollywood.
MC: Yes. People ask me this question all the time. I’d say: Focus on the work. People focus on the end result a lot of the time, because they want it here and they want it now. In fact, they want it yesterday. But they don’t really appreciate all the effort that goes into getting it. Initially, they’ll say, “I’ll do whatever it takes.” But then, when you say, “Okay, do this, do that, do this,” they respond with, “Oh, that’s a lot.” Well, you want a lot. Just focus on becoming the best actor you can be. I always feel that, when actors focus on the work, they’re going to get opportunities.
KW: What was your very first job?
MC: My first SAG [Screen Actors Guild] job was a television show called Freddy’s Nightmares, a TV version of Nightmare on Elm Street.
KW: The Pastor Alex Kendrick question: When do you feel the most content?
MC: Hmm… Probably just sitting at home reflecting on life, and when I’m in the gym, listening to music and working out.
KW: Have you ever had a near-death experience?
MC: Fortunately not, knock on wood. Not to this point.
KW: Do you have any phobias?
MC: [LOL] Yes, I do. But I don’t want to reveal them, because people might start playing practical jokes on me. .
KW: Is there anything you’d like your fans to know about you?
MC: I think they know a great deal about me. One thing they might not know is that I’m a somewhat shy, which plays a part in a lot of things.
KW: The Toure question: Who is the person who most inspired you to become the person you are today?
MC: Definitely my parents. They shaped me to become the individual I am, in terms of my values… my morals… the decisions I’ve made… pretty much everything.
KW: Finally, what’s in your wallet?
MC: My driver’s license and one credit card.
KW: Thanks again for the time, Morris, and best of luck with Rosewood.
MC: Thanks, Kam. You’ve asked some pretty interesting questions. Take care.
To see a trailer for Rosewood, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhhYJXV508A
