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Brandon T. Jackson: The Tropic Thunder Interview

Section: Entertainment

with Kam Williams

Brandon on Breakout Role in Tropic Thunder

Brandon T Jackson was born in Detroit on March 7, 1984 to preachers Bishop Wayne T. and Dr. Beverly Y. Jackson. One of seven siblings, he credits his father for his sense of humor, and says some additional inspiration comes from such icons as Sinbad, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith and Chris Tucker.

Ever the class clown, Brandon’s passion for comedy led to his doing talent shows and going onstage during youth nights at his family’s church. By age 14, his career as a stand‑up comic had already evolved from local school shows to community projects such as the Motor City Youth Festival.
After graduating from West Bloomfield High School, he headed to Hollywood to take a shot at showbiz as a standup comedian. Not long thereafter, he was discovered while performing at the Laugh Factory.

As his stature gradually grew, Jackson received offers to open for such stars as Chris Tucker and Wayne Brady. And he subsequently appeared on “Showtime at the Apollo” and BET’s “Comic View.” Critical acclaim eventually led to film roles in Ali, 8 Mile and Envy, as well as being cast as Bow Wow’s best friend, Junior, in “Roll Bounce.”

Recently, he launched the “Teens of Comedy Tour” presented by BET which featured Lil JJ’ and some of the nation’s funniest teenage comedians. He also hosted the “Up Close and Personal Tour” headlined by Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana and Dem Franchize Boyz, and he can currently be seen as a cast member on MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out.”
Communicating with and motivating youth is a mission etched in Brandon’s heart, so when not working he spends his time reaching back to help kids take their lives to the next level. Here, the 24 year-old role model talks about his latest picture, Tropic Thunder, an action comedy co-starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr.

KW: Hi Brandon, thanks for the time.

BJ: Whazzup?

KW: Congratulations on Tropic Thunder!

BJ: Thank you, man.

KW: What interested you in this role?

BJ: You know what? I read the script and it was really funny. So, I decided to go audition for it. And after auditioning for the role about a dozen times, Ben [director Ben Stiller] finally said, “You’re the one for the part.”

KW: That’s a lot of call backs.

BJ: Yeah, it was a lot of work.

KW: How was it being directed by Ben after that?

BJ: When we got on the set, all this magic just started happening from there. It was great, man, because he’s so intense, and he knows how to get what he needs out of you. As an African-American comedian, I was used to playing more to the punch line, and he showed me how to stay within the character instead of going for the joke. It was all magic.

KW: So, did you have to stick closely to the script?

BJ: No, I had to stick closely to the character. Any deviations or ad-libs had to be consistent with the character.

KW: You co-starred with Ben and a couple of other big-name actors in Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr., who was in blackface. How was that/

BJ: It was crazy! Robert would stay in character the whole time. Ben would yell “Cut!” and Robert would say things like, “I’m a go back to the trailer to get some barbecued chicken. You want to come with me Brandon?”

KW: Did you feel like you were making an action film, a comedy, or both?

BJ: Both. Unfortunately, a lot of the action sequences didn’t survive the final edit. I understand that a movie can only be a certain length, but why have us shoot so much stuff just to cut it out. It was very taxing on my body

KW: It’ll all probably be on the DVD. Did you have to adopt a special diet or training regimen for the rigorous role?

BJ: Yeah, I ate plenty of potatoes and fish. I was only 22 at the time, and needed to get bigger to hang with the big dogs. So, I was lifting weights, and working out in Ben’s gym.

KW: How did you do when you appeared on Showtime at the Apollo?

BJ: I killed.

KW: What’s it like trying to be a comedian when you’re the son of two preachers?

BJ: Hard. It’s tough. You have to try to balance both worlds. But it’s a job, and what I do in my personal life and my business life are two different things. It’s like how if you’re a lawyer and have to represent criminals, that doesn’t mean you don’t have certain core values. My personal beliefs are different from what I do for a living. In the final analysis, my job is to bring joy to people’s lives. If they’re laughing, then it’s not a bad thing. That’s how I feel about it. I’m a comedian.

KW: Do you ever feel pressure to work clean because of your folks?

BJ: I did at first when I was kid. Now, it’s a little weird when I perform in front of my father, and he sees me cussin’. I’m not really used to that, but at the same time, this is what I do for a livin’. You know what I mean?

KW: Yep. Everyone calls you Chris Tucker’s protégé. Who would you say are your main influences?

BJ: Will Smith and Chris Tucker.

KW: Are you thinking of doing your own TV sitcom?

BJ: No, I want to stick to film.

KW: Is there any question no reporter has asked you, that you wished someone would?

BJ: That one right there. That’s a good question.

KW: Bookworm Troy Johnson wants to know, what was the last book you read?

BJ: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.

KW: That’s the same book Mike Epps said he read last. The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

BJ: Yeah, I am. It’s a good time in my life right now.

KW: “Realtor to the Stars” Jimmy Bayan’s question: Where in L.A. do you live?

BJ: The Valley.

KW: Are you ever afraid?

BJ: Yeah, I’m afraid of failure.

KW: Do you have website where fans can reach you?

BJ: Yeah, www.myspace.com/brandontjackson and you can even put my phone number in the article, (323) 622-8110, if anybody wants to talk to me on my fan line.

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

BJ: As one of the greatest comedians who ever walked the Earth.

KW: You’re from Detroit. What do you think of the city’s embattled Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick? Should he step down at this point?

BJ: He has to stop the b.s. now. It’s too much. Come on, dog, you can’t be doing all that. It’s too hot, If he’s going to step up and be a good mayor, then he should stop playing around. We need hope right now. The country has many serious problems which need to be addressed and too many politicians have failed us. Enough! Stop b.s’ing.

KW: Do you consider yourself religious?

BJ: How come only black reporters ask me that? Black and white people have a totally different view of religion. Of course, I believe in God, and I’m definitely a Christian, but at the same time, I’m in this business. So I find the question annoying, because I’d prefer to be able to keep my spirituality to myself.

KW: The only reason I ask is because your parents are preachers.

BJ: I hate to cut you short, but I have to go.

KW: Well, thanks for the time, and good luck with everything.

BJ: Cool man, I apologize. I never do people like this, but I’m really late for this other thing.

KW: No problem, just promise me another interview with your next movie when you’re a big star.

BJ: I will. You got it.

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