Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
Actor Dulé Hill has much to boast about. He is talented, sexy, successful and has been named among People magazine's most beautiful.
But humility is what mostly characterises this actor whose Jamaican parents emigrated to New Jersey over 30 years ago.
Dulé came to prominence in 1999 in the television series The West Wing asCharlie Young, aide to the United States president played by Martin Sheen.
Then, as now, Dulé had fans sitting on the edge of their seats. Only this time, he has them laughing up a storm when watching his latest character Burton 'Gus' Guster on the USA Network dramedy PSYCH.
Married to actress Nicole Lyn, who also has Jamaican roots, Dulé told Flair in an exclusive interview how he feels blessed to be at the stage where he is in his career.
He now speaks candidly.
Q: Many people know you from The West Wing even though you had minor roles before. How did you make the transition from an intense drama to a comedy like Psych, and which is more challenging?
D.H.: Drama is more challenging. I am a person who likes to act crazy, make jokes and have a good time. Even when something painful is going on, I try to keep it light. I enjoy drama more because it makes me go inside to bring the characters alive. In a drama, you have to deal with things inside yourself that you may not want to deal with. I like that challenge because I learn more about myself as an individual.
Q. How do the roles compare?
D.H: They are total opposites. Gus lets out his emotions, Charlie kept everything close to his chest, he didn't like to let it out. One's a drama and one's a comedy, so there's a completely different way of approaching the work.
Q: This is the second season of Psych, compare both.
D.H: I think I'm more grounded in the character. I know more about who Gus is and what he wants. Last season, we were really trying to establish who Gus is and who Shawn (his co-star) is. Now that it's established, it's time to spread out and have a little more fun. As for my character, we're getting into more personal stuff about Gus. You get a chance to meet my uncle this season, you also get to meet my parents.
Q. Acting takes you away from your family, how do you deal with this?
D.H: Nicole and I have a rule where we try not to spend more than 10 days at a time away from each other, that helps.
Q: Is your career a factor in when you will start a family?
D.H: It is, but we leave it in God's hands. When we feel the time is right, because obviously it doesn't matter what the situation looks like whether I have a big job now etc., you only take a step like that when God says it's time.
Q: Is it harder to make it as a black actor in Hollywood?
D.H.: I don't know, because I only know what it is based on the references that I have being a black actor. I'm the actor trying to make it, whether it's easier for someone else I don't know.
Q: What do you remember most about the start of your acting career?
D.H.: Before I got on The West Wing, I was in Los Angeles and I hadn't worked for nine months, and my money was getting low. That was my cross roads. I remember being in my apartment, and I didn't have any furniture and my agent was about to drop me. At that time, I made up my mind to commit to being an actor, I decided to spend the rest of my life trying to do it successfully.
Q: Has your Jamaican heritage been an influence in your career and is there any inspirational thing they said that you can't forget or use as a guide?
D.H: My parents and grandparents were all hard workers who always wanted the best, so yes it does. My heritage really challenges me and inspires me to strive for excellence. My grandmother always says, "Such is life" and "later will be greater", those things I keep with me all the time. But, I think it was more just seeing and knowing their journeys and seeing how they persevere in the midst of adversity, that when at times in my life things have not been going well, remembering their journeys makes me say "keep on pressing through" and eventually the reward will come.
Right now, I am in a place where I am receiving a major portion of the reward of my own work, my parents' work andmy grandparents' work.
Without my grandparents coming to Jersey, and without my parents' support when I was going at dance school, I don't think I would be talking to you right now.
Q: What is your advice for aspiring actors?
D.H:. Only get into the business if you have an insatiable desire to act. If you are going into it because you want to be a star or a celebrity and you want your picture taken, find something else to do because it is a hard journey.
If you don't have the passion to do it, don't waste your time. You have to learn to face rejection.
Once you know it's what you want, commit to it, the main things are power and commitment. The rewards are for those who stay the course.
People always say it's important to have something to fall back on, I don't believe in that. I think education is very important, but I think you're setting yourself up for failure if you're going into something and you have a plan for failure.
Q: We are in a world where religion influences most things, has that been your experience?
DH:. My grandfather, Beresford Hill, was a police officer in Jamaica and he was a minister. My mother was a minister and my dad used to preach. God has always been a part of my life. I think when God blesses me with opportunities, it's my duty to do the best I can with it. It also helps me stay grounded, because I know it's not just because of me, the majority is the blessing that God has given me.
Q: What is your dream role?
D.H: One with suspense, a thriller type thing where the character is a tap dancer. I'd love to bring tap back to the screen and do it a way where it is a really good film, so it's not based on the dance numbers. I hope to carry on where Gregory Hines left off.
Q: Who were your acting mentors?
D.H: I learnt from Martin Sheen. I learned the power of humility. I thought that he was the kind of person he wanted to be, not egotistical. Hines was inspiring to me as a dancer and an actor, also his brother from the Nicholas brothers, they made me see it's possible to move from tap dancing to acting. If they can do it, why can't I?
Q: Are you involved in any charities?
D.H: Everybody Dance, a non-profit organisation that teaches children in the inner city about dance.
What you didn't know about Dulé
Q: What is your favourite cuisine?
D.H: My mother's jerk chicken, escoveitch fish and sushi.
Q: Favourite colour?
D.H: Blue or black
Q: Favourite designer?
D.H:. I like Ben Sherman suits or whatever my wife buys, or her favourite designer on me.
Q: Cologne?
D.H:. Eternity for men. I am not big on colognes but if I had to choose I'd wear Eternity.
Q: How do you relax?
D.H: Spending time with family, playing dominoes, tap dancing.
Q: Name one thing people may find surprising about you?
D.H: How good a domino player I am.
Q: Favourite type of music?
D.H:. Reggae music.
Q: Favourite artistes?
D.H:. Luciano, Dennis Brown, Beres Hammond, John Holt, George Nooks, Garnet Silk, Gyptian and Junior Kelly.
Q: If you had a chance to film in Jamaica, would you?
D.H:. I wouldn't mind doing a film in Jamaica and get paid! I'd be there in a heartbeat.
