*For 25-years, Morris Chestnut has been working in television and movies. He made his big screen debut in 1991 as Ricky Baker in the John Singleton classic, “Boyz n the Hood” and has gone on to establish a solid career as a leading man.
Currently he’s co-starring opposite Sanaa Lathan and Michael Ealy in the psychological thriller, “The Perfect Guy.” He’s also set to appear in “Heist,” opposite Robert De Niro and recently finished shooting “When The Bough Breaks” with Regina Hall”.
Nominated for two NAACP Image Award nominations for his role in “The Best Man” and “The Best Man Holiday,” Chestnut is slated to reprise the role in the franchise’s third installment, “The Best Man Wedding”. For this edition of the Robertson Treatment, the actor talks about his new TV-series, “Rosewood,” where he’ll be playing the title character, Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr.
Robertson Treatment: How much fun is it playing a doctor and driving around in that fantastic yellow convertible?
Morris Chestnut: [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.
RT: Are you being coached on the set by a physician to help make your role 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.
RT: If you knew you only had a decade left to live like your character, what would be #1 on your bucket list to achieve?
MC: That’s a very interesting question. I’m really not sure, since there are so many things I’d have to consider. I could sit here and give you an answer but, if I were really facing that situation, it would probably bring a new perspective. So, to be honest, I’m not really sure.
RT: Do you follow your character’s philosophy to live life to the fullest?
MC: I do. I like to live life to the fullest like Rosewood. Because he’ll be dying soon, he’s living each day as if it’s his last. However, unlike Rosewood, I have kids and a family. For that reason, Rosewood doesn’t really get close to people. I don’t take my time on Earth and each day that I breathe for granted, although I think there are times when I could appreciate it a little bit more.
RT: 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 played in some time.
RT: 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.
RT: What 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.
RT: How can your fans help you?
MC: My fans have been great. They’ve supported me throughout the years, and I’m very appreciative of that. They can help right now by watching Rosewood which airs Wednesday nights at 8 pm on Fox.
To see a trailer for Rosewood, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhhYJXV508A
AUTOMOTIVE SPIN
2015 Honda FIT
The 2015 Honda FIT continues to solidify its reputation as a reliable ride that can offer just the right “fit” to meet the needs of variety of drivers. I recently took one out for a ride on the busy streets of Los Angeles and found that it more than lived up to all of its hype.
Wow Factor:As part of its latest incarnation, the Honda FIT has sharpened its aesthetic with both exterior and interior flourishes that gives it added appeal. It’s totally retractable seats are a big plus that provides more cargo space than similar rides.
Ride: Equipped with a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder, direct injection engine, the FIT packs plenty of punch for typical daily drives. The suspension and steering are solid and gives the ride far better control and handling then I expected. Overall, I found the FIT to perform at a level that is totally competitive for its class.
Comfort: Although it’s a subcompact, the FIT’s interior cabin feels roomier than one might expect and I’m 6ft.4. Again, the flexibility of its rear seats is a guarantee crowd pleaser that gives this ride versatility missing for its competitors. The infotainment screen and driver controls are ways to read and easy to work, which certainly add to driver confidence
Spin Control: The latest edition of the Honda FIT maintains the versatility of its predecessors with improvements that includes new technology and safety features. Given its outstanding pedigree as a high-performing economy car, these added features makes it a very appealing choice for a variety of demos. (MSRP: $20, 800.00/Combined MPG: 35 per gallon)
Grade: B+
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