Brian Hooks is an actor who all of us recognize. He has starred in such movies as “High School”, “Beloved”, “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”, 3 Strikes, “Fool’s Gold” and the sitcom “Eve”. His latest movie “Laughing to the Bank” or L2B will be out soon. This busy actor will have one of his premiere’s here in Sacramento this weekend. THE HUB: How did you start your career as an actor? Did you always want to be one?
Brian: I was born and raised in Bakersfield and liked rapping and performing. Obviously I could not do much in Bakersfield, but when I went down south to school at Cal State Northridge, I decided to go farther with acting.
THE HUB: Outside of acting, what else are you passionate about?
Brian: I love kids, I was going to school to be a teacher, and I pursued secondary education. I have always been able to connect with kids.
THE HUB: Do you have any children of your own?
Brian: Yes I have 3 kids, 2 girls and 1 boy.
THE HUB: How do you decide on which movies to act in?
Brian: I’ve been fortunate to have an independent background where I produce my own films. This new film, “Laughing to the Bank” me and my partner Bernard produced. I never had to be overly thirsty to make a movie; I’ve always had the means and abilities to produce my own projects. I look at things like, is the role significant in the movie? Is it a positive role or something I like? I refuse to do meaningless stereotypes.
THE HUB: Describe your dream project.
Brian: With “Laughing to the Bank” I’ve taken Robert Townsend’s “Hollywood Shuffle” and made a modern day version of it, what it has been like for me and many other Black actors in Hollywood, lack of roles and opportunities that project positivity. A dream role for me would be a period piece. I got to play a young Danny Glover in “Beloved”. I got a taste of it and I loved it. I know I would be good at it given the right vehicle.
THE HUB: What’s the most unusual perk of your career?
Brian: The free stuff, people will damn near lose their jobs to give you something free be it dining, apparel, hotels, etc. folks overextend themselves for you.
THE HUB: Did anyone give you advice that helped or hurt your career?
Brian: A long time ago Wesley Snipes gave me some advice. We were shooting on the beach and he saw me. He strolled over and said this is going to launch you just make sure you look at everything with your third eye and he pointed to his forehead. I was lost; I had no idea what he was talking about. It took me a long time about 4 or 5 years to figure it out but I got it, then I started to weed out the BS. When I finally got it I realized he meant to use your mind, common sense and instincts.
Brian Hooks’ Red Carpet Event for “Laughing to the Bank” will be on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Oishii Sushi, 1000 K Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA. Contact info. (916) 534-6384. Tickets available: Double Take Hair Gallery, 2031 Yale Street, Sacramento, CA (916) 451-4600. See the Sac Hub Exclusive E-blast ad posted at: http://www.sacculturalhub.com/entertainment-and-news/e-blasts/3324-laughing-to-the-bank-red-carpet-event
The movie, “L2B”, will be released in theatres nationwide August 23, 2013. See more details about the movie at: http://www.l2bank.com
Submitted by: Senior Staff Writer, Donna Michele Ramos at https://www.facebook.com/donnamramos1?fref=ts
