How Lance Reddick Deals with Systemic Racism in Hollywood

[@dlg5485]

"We knew how good we were" damn right The Wire is still the best police drama ever as far as I'm concerned.

[@emptinessForThem]

"The Wire is still the best drama" I fixed it.

[@lydiasingh5078]

**** Racisim and rascist.. Lance you are above all these... I will see anythn that u r in 💕

[@oldskool4572]

@Damon McGeachy Ah yeah but now you own them. Streaming is great, but actually owning stuff is way better. I own all the box sets as well, so its not money wasted imo.

[@3du76]

The Wire, Fargo, Breaking Bad an Better Call Saul are the best dramas. Untouchables.

[@Adamkalb1]

The only real problem with The Wire is that for the one episode they did on police brutality, my uncle said it was told too much from a middle-class white male perspective because that is the background of the people who created The Wire.

[@PaulieWalnuts1776]

This guy is a pretty good interviewer. He’s asking provocative questions and allows his guest to fully answer

[@Disciple_82]

He listens really well, he lets them talk. It is never about him but always about who he is talking to.

[@morghan_with_an_h]

Sam is a good friend of mine! He is always a great person to talk to!

[@anthonykimani1983]

Agreed. He doesn’t interrupt his guest in the middle of the response and keeps the interview about the guest.

[@anthonykimani1983]

Agreed. He doesn’t interrupt his guest in the middle of the response and keeps the interview about the guest.

[@BenM.Davies]

"I know how good I am, I always have." He's right, he's amazing in everything I've seen him in, and I always wondered why he didn't get bigger and better roles. I was so happy to see him turn up in the John Wick films, even if it's just a little part he owns the screen in that role.

[@gerryn2]

Man... He knocked it out of the park in the fucking Eric Andre show of all places. Not gonna say that's his best work or anything but just goes to show.

[@Back2SquareOne]

You would think that smacks of hubris but it really is the fact. He has made a substantial, memorable impact in everything I have seen him in. I have myself wondered why he wasn't in more stuff. The Wire is one of the few series I bought all the seasons on DVD. I thought it was that good. Loved him on Bosch.

[@MotorCityPhoenix313]

@@Back2SquareOne same. He's fantastic in everything he's in. Hell, even his performance in the video game Horizon Zero Dawn was fantastic! lol

[@clementine4133]

RIP Lance. Such a talent and handsome black man. So sad he and many have to deal with systemic racism, especially those who started years, decades ago in most industries! Thank you for all you gave us, God bless you and yours. 🙌🙏

[@randomcomputer7248]

He was an arrogant racist prick !

[@psycold]

Oh my god I love this dude. His character on Corporate has to be the most underrated performance on TV right now. I hope that show finally gets the attention it deserves.

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

Oh dude, I loved Corporate. Where can I watch that? I can't find it anymore...

[@psycold]

@@theheartofablackbird2109 final season airs on comedy central in January 2020, but I ended up buying the episodes on amazon because of the video quality

[@Wyndamn]

The ultimate CEO!!!

[@74jailbreaker]

It's not until a few years ago that I started watching The Wire and at that time I had already seen The Sopranos, Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, etc. When I watched the The Wire I was blown away by how good it was. Why this did not get the recognition it deserved is mind boggling. Not only is it just a police, crime drama but it's so much more. It's very philosophical in a way and communicates in so many ways the different aspects of society. One of my favorite topics I pull from the show is the hierarchy that exists in society. From the police department, to the politics, the street life, the newsroom, it really exposes the parts we play, and no matter how high we climb there's always another step above us and with that comes a whole new truth. That's just one of many from this show. "The game is the game.... Always."

[@knittingdoula]

"I know how good I am. I always have." Mr. Reddick, we all know, too. And HOLLYWOOD?? Are you listening? HIRE HIM!! We will tune in to watch him. Frankly, I'd tune in to watch him read the damn alphabet.

[@grizzthegreen4500]

LMAO ✊🏾🖤🌻🙏🏾

[@minbari73]

But..he's already in everything.

[@minbari73]

@Damon McGeachy New show? It's been on 5 seasons with 6 coming next year. I watch it, he's great in it. But let's not pretend he's a struggling actor, particularly when he has 3 productions coming next year, one of which is Godzilla VS Kong, plus season 6 of Bosch.

[@minbari73]

@Damon McGeachy Actors play to their strengths. He puts on that commanding/intimidating voice of his, which is why he gets the role of the commander or antagonist. He doesn't really speak like that, because he's a normal person. Casting directors choose the best people for the role which is why Michael J Fox played Marty McFly and not Doc Brown. In the first Bosch book, Irvin Irving is described as a white guy. But alas, it seems as if the casting directors chose the best person for the role, which turned out to be Lance Reddick. Systemic racism my lily white arse.

[@Ishbikes]

@@minbari73 I’ve heard him talk with that “accent” for so long that I actually thought it was his real voice. He KILLS with that voice..

[@TrueDreamchiever]

Wait a minute, he passed as a commander of a police precinct sit com role? Is he saying he was almost Captain Holt from Brooklyn 99?

[@Quaquadaqu]

He decided to take the role as the commander of the Vanguard instead.

[@XenosSavior]

My thought exactly, Brooklyn 99 first aired in 2013 so that timeline matches up. Hard to imagine it was any other show.

[@dairishdrunk]

If that's the case, crazy Baltimore connection: Andre Braugher was amazing as Frank Pembleton on Homicide. A show based upon David Simon's book, who eventually went on to create The Wire. Both of those shows were stacked with talent.

[@BeyerEfendi]

What a well-expressed and talented guy. Super sorry to hear of his passing. RIP

[@kiidkaos82]

Nice to hear from a fellow black actor what the business is really like 😂😂😂

[@Kurostyle21]

Fellow black actor? Are you also in Hollywood productions?

[@natedagreat19]

Kurostyle judging from the whole point of Lance’s video, Probably not.

[@AzureKite191]

He isn’t Black though

[@Ishbikes]

@@AzureKite191 what is he?

[@AzureKite191]

@@Ishbikes He is Ukrainian

[@cocktailhotel]

He's great in Bosch. I know it may be of a role he prefers not to be type cast in or whatever, but his presence of command and power on screen plays so well with the other characters, it not only demands respect, he's an actor where you look forward to watching his scenes coming up. Fight the good fight, Lance. We're on your side !

[@NikkiP4444]

I am white and I loved the wire! I didn't want it to end.

[@grizzthegreen4500]

Thank you my brother 🙏🏾🖤🌻✊🏾

[@robertbloom4424]

I liked it, too. To be fair, episode 1 is the worst episode of the whole series. People who aren't very into crime dramas might've watched that and thought "nah."

[@shokojimhollingsworth3940]

LOVED it, and the way the seasons evolved. Still re-watch it every year or so.

[@buddylove2073]

It was actually a friend from India and another from Sri Lanka, English educated who introduced me to the show. They were commenting about how brilliant it was. I knew a number of East Europeans who loved the show. Always found it strange the number of non Americans who resonated with the Wire. I loved it. Brilliant and raw. Both the writing and the performances.

[@SpontaneousWeasel]

What a great talent! Lance was so good in The Wire and Fringe, also loved seeing him in supporting roles in Quantum break and Horizon Zero Dawn . Am always excited to see him on screen because I immediately means what i'm watching just dialled up a few notches of quality!

[@-The-Golden-God-]

Don't forget Destiny!

[@vokasimid5330]

Dont forget Payback 2 and 50 cent: Blood in the sand

[@nightowlproductions4817]

Love when he was on Fringe

[@te9591]

Amazing the difference between him and his screen character.

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

I'm really surprised to hear Lance attribute The Wire's slower start to systemic racism. When you're up against blockbuster like The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Sex and the City, you're really going to have to compete. The Wire now has 9.3 on IMdb, and that platform is hard to get a rating like that. When huge black ensemble cast shows like Good Times, The Jeffersons, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and The Cosby Show could be as huge as they were, well before, I really don't think it was racism holding it back. Some shows or movies are slow starters, esp. if they have fierce competition at that time. The other thing about The Wire that is touchy is it's about Baltimore, and Baltimore is a political hot potato for a number of reasons. Cities like Baltimore w/ it's complex problems make people uncomfortable.

[@snwcombat8716]

Whether we wanted it or not...God I love his voice.

[@marcsman07]

SERIOUSLY. Does this man do audio books?

[@TheJasonaut]

He has done some prominent voices in video games. Hard to forget his voice once you hear it

[@GetDeepInThat]

We’ve stepped into a war with the Cabal on Mars…

[@AtheneHolder]

dude is so well spoken unlike a lot of other celebs... .seems cool too,,, good on him

[@carmine_black]

That is insane to me. That was such an amazing show... and he was phenomenal in it. Such a shame.

[@jamesdemain1959]

"McNulty get in here". The Wire, one of the best shows of all time.

[@moeezS]

3:30 He's talking about Quantum Break, isn't he? The two white guys complaining they can't get a lead role while Lance can get barely anything. EDIT: RIP brother. You were the canary in a coal mine about systemic racism.

[@chanelfitzgerald]

Wow! That is not arrogance, that is knowing who you are. Hats off to you SIr! Wish I had that.

[@bigazzasian]

He must be talking about Brooklyn99 for those pilot roles

[@joacc8]

That´s what I was thinking.

[@starvick2007]

I wrote on a paper all the names that i caught were John Noble character (Dr. Walter Bishop) named Jasika's Nicole character (Astrid) in the Fringe series, one of the few times that i went off script was like this, S02-E03 Broyles(Lance Reddick)smiles 39:13. His performance in that series was great.

[@paulwayne7648]

Lance Reddick is one of my favorites. Ivy league educated, musician, actor, great posture and vernacular. He's bigger than those ignorant bigots. Yo, Reddick, you was tha bomb in Lost! And let's not forget his trademark nasal exhale

[@anas-432]

He had a great distinct voice, i liked him in john wick and horizen games.

[@mcshivers6414]

Lance Reddick is this generations' Keith David. His voice is iconic and he's a great actor.

[@Micolashcage1]

To be fair, as a huge wire fan. I think the reason why the wire wasnt as critically acclaimed during its run vs The Sopranos, Sex and The City, and Entourage, is because its much more nuanced and a slower burn, with no main protagonist. The other 3 followed a formula and appealed to the lowest common denominator, when the wire doesn’t hold the viewers hand or cater to casual viewers.

[@robbie8221]

Whether we wanted it or not, we’ve stepped into a war with the Cabal on Mars

[@lloyd3969]

So let's get by taking out their command, 1 by 1

[@GetDeepInThat]

Valus Ta'aurc. From what I can gather he commands the Siege Dancers from an Imperial Land Tank outside of Rubicon. He's well protected, but with the right team, we can punch through those defenses, take this beast out, and break their grip on Freehold.

[@ronaldroberts7221]

He is good, and there is racism in Hollywood. Stallone and Billy Bob Thornton both wrote their own scripts in order to get work. (Rocky, Slingblade). When Mel Gibson wanted to do "The Passion of the Christ" no studio would touch it with a ten foot pole, so he had to produce it himself with investors. The joke was on them, because it had a relatively small $30M budget and grossed over $600M. The fans made the Wire popular because it's awesome. I first heard about the Wire on reddit...Riddick needs to get some friends together and become the master of his own destiny.

[@nmarrs8539]

The parallels between the wire and the reality of the behind the scenes is amazing

[@Jonslondon]

The Wire is a show that stands apart from all others. Thats saying alot as Im a huge fan of the Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, The Shield, Justified,Oz etc all the greats. The Wire is just different from all of those. It felt like a documentary at times.Truly shakespearean and haunting. To this day Its left its mark on me. David Simon and everyone involved are just too good for one of those 'common' awards they give out so freely. The people know.

[@Ishbikes]

I love the wire but I’m going to have to give Boardwalk empire the nod, I love period pieces. Great shows though! Peaky blinders is amazing too..as I said, PERIOD PIECES

[@mojo-media]

Lance deserves a good lead role. Such an underrated actor.

[@BloomGlare]

This guy could play anyone - charismatic professor, evil genius, benevolent cop or basically any 4D character you can think of. Recently a lot of people want him to play the host in the Unsolved Mysteries reboot on Netflix and now all I can imagine is how much better it would be if he was attached to it.

[@ApteryxRex]

His interactions with his on-screen wife in The Wire were good quality too - showing more dimensions than just a stern commander

[@RX7Qball]

R.I.P. Lance.😢

[@relaxationstation7374]

I totally love this guy, he should have been in Star Wars!

[@MinecraftRick]

They would have fucked him over just like they did John Boyega. Unless we're talking about the serials, in which case he would make an amazing Thrawn.

[@theengineer704]

I am in healthcare and finding a job while black is a story onto itself even in that field. I have literally seen disappointment on hiring managers faces when they see me. One time, the hiring manager just could not form words and I had to start it up and talk about myself while they gathered themselves. Why? I had extensive experience. On the phone, they could not wait to see me; when they saw me, it is “deer in head lights”.

[@joelgrandbois9327]

.... that is crazy, and sad. Excellence and talent are not a skin color! Sorry that happens to you, Love. Hang in there. You will get the job that is meant for you! I get rejected for EVERRRRRY JOB that I apply and interview for.

[@wynton921]

RIP!!! I’m truly inspired…

[@CurtisGabrielMusic]

The Wire was so good! And wow he looks great, he looks younger now than in the wire.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

Holy shit, that guy was so thin.. and now he became the Hulk!

[@geinikan1kan]

Incredible. You watch an incredibly gifted actor with presence like Reddick and you can't imagine he has to worry about roles. What an industry.

[@minbari73]

Worry about roles..OK. In 2019 he's had at least 5 major movie roles and is 2 tv series and judging by his IMDB list has been working steadily for the past 15 years. He may not get roles he's not suited for, LIKE EVERY OTHER ACTOR, but that doesn't mean it's systemic racism. He had a role in Quantum Break and they weren't looking for a tall wiry middle aged black dude for the main role. This isn't systemic racism, it's wanting a bland "everyman" for the main protagonist so the player can slot into the character. It's why Aiden Gillen got the role as the antagonist and not the lead. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It's racism.

[@geinikan1kan]

@@minbari73 Who used the word racism?

[@minbari73]

geinikan1kan it’s in the fucking title of the video.

[@Algerian_loki]

RIP my friend

[@Sonny1065LV]

He's a fantastic actor, deserves more opportunities for sure, unbiased racism is such a huge problem in this country it's insane.

[@toddflowers8052]

What seems insane to me is that Hollywood is run by a minority that has a lot of experience with racism but continues doing the very same thing !

[@MsHermyGranger]

@@toddflowers8052 is it though? Many people in power are white men

[@toddflowers8052]

@@MsHermyGrangerHave you heard of the Holocaust ?

[@michael_swardh]

The Wire was a great show, and George Pelecanos is a great author. Give us more of his books as movies and TV-shows. And Lance Reddick should be seen more, he is the best actor for playing people in autority positions. Mayors, Police chiefs and so on.

[@abdullahmd.khalid3575]

I am just thinking about martin hatch and sylens .

[@orly2663]

Rest In Peace, Lance Riddick aka Commander Zavala

[@grizzthegreen4500]

when you are black, the majority of the time your not given a direct reason of why you were passed over, yet society has time and time again reinforced that reason, many times before you've even auditioned, applied for the Job Loan Apartment, tried out for the team, its because I'm black, but more so "its because I'm not white" experiential evidence white experience doesn't overrule black experience. Black and POC attendance in a new area dosen't overrule prejudice in all other areas, nor should it disqualify Black and Brown people from stating their contrasting experiences with white counterparts and their privileges.

[@minbari73]

Maybe you're the wrong black for the role. Black experience doesn't overrule white experience. POC are 95% of the earth's population, get over yourself.

[@AQUAPHREESH193]

ANT-METAL lemme guess other statements in your arsenal include the classics “bbbbbut my best friend is black” and “I don’t see color” 😂😂😂😂

[@minbari73]

@@AQUAPHREESH193 Never used them, but I see many who do. "hey i'm not a racist, I've fucked black girls" - i certainly see colour..i see it pushed onto us through the media, the guardian, BBC etc all push the "multiculture" as if race mixing is an imperative. So, go fuck yourself.

[@Billkwando]

It kinda sounds like he passed on Brooklyn 99. How many sitcoms with police captains are there?

[@MakenshiCritiques]

"tv show/videogame thing" - is he talking about quantum break? lol

[@wesleyvaux5590]

First off, Let me say, I’m a huge fan of @Lancereddick . I’m remember when the Wire came out.. The ratings weren’t great, but everyone I knew who watched it ..loved it! Also everyone I knew in “ The Industry” ..everyone in the know, considered it the real thing .. I’m sorry LR had that experience

[@chriswhitehouse9137]

Is it any wonder that he is only offered those commander roles? I mean, the guy simply oozes command and stature. And that voice! He's the only actor who can stand next to Idris Elbe and not be diminished.

[@minbari73]

It's systemic racism if he isn't offered roles as the nerdy computer geek or white rookie cop.

[@keithcornetta647]

Nailed it bro.. my thoughts exactly. Could not have said it better.

[@brianbillak2593]

He's fantastic in Bosch too!

[@timdahl]

Commander Zavala...we're with you!

[@joellanderson5137]

This dude is seriously underrated

[@ZenMastaKai]

Love Lance....He deserves far far more!

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

He's such an amazing man. So charismatic and intelligent, not to mention gorgeous.

[@rypdx]

Hell yeah I love this guy!! Best actor ever ! His level of work definitely rises above the racism .

[@senoJSR]

The Wire is probably one of my favorite series of all time but it's a serious drama and most people want to be entertained not thought provoked by their TV. The acting was suburb and there isn't a weak actor in the bunch. Many of the actors have gone onto successful film careers, including Michael Williams, Idris Elba (both black) and Dominic West and many of rest of the cast have subsequently appeared in other sitcoms so it can't be just a matter of racism. Besides, blacks represent 13% of the population while Hispanics are 17%. There are far more black actors than Hispanics.

[@MTSpade]

wasnt aware of him until bosch but he was so great in that, I loved his character

[@mmaolisae3675]

Spill that effing tea! 👏🏾👏🏾

[@10Vernonplace]

I have to watch the Wire now! I haven't seen it. This white guy interviewer is one of few that knows how to interview black people about this topic. Kudos.

[@tristandeniet]

I think I need to watch The Wire now.

[@Toadspring]

it’s fantastic

[@Zegeebwah]

Keep fighting

[@J1283-s1k]

As a white man, I've only seen the first episode of The Wire and was blown away. I would confidently say that I couldn't (and would hope to not have to) pin point not watching the show as a racial factor, personally, but more simply that I didn't always like crime shows. It's why it took me years to watch The Sopranos and now I started The Wire shortly after.

[@ttenkrut]

Great interview

[@MAR0DEUR]

// R.I.P.

[@jsheekey1]

The Wire was Amazing one of the best shows ever ❤️

[@Karlbrentwood]

Wow. Always thought we was British! He's the man.

[@1Dreamking]

The Wire is one of the best shows ever. I don't remember which season it was but the one where they focused a lot on the point of view of the young kids and how it all affected them was so heartbreaking.

[@therealhiphop007]

Season 4

[@Ishbikes]

Wow I’ve never heard him speak regular. I thought he had that accent he speaks with in movies/shows. Salute brother, great acting!

[@GuyOnAChair]

3:33 Quantum Break 😬

[@moeezS]

Yikes, wonder who the two white dudes were lol

[@ifallintofantasy]

@@moeezS one of the could be Shawn Ashmore the other i have no idea.

[@anirudhmenon4234]

Messofanego Why ‘Yikes’? They weren’t being racist or saying anything bad at all.

[@dreamlife2351]

The first time that I heard of the Wire, Obama mentioned it was his favorite show on an interview. I looked for it and started to watch. I just could not relate to it. It was fast paced, detailed in its story line, and I couldn’t keep up with what was going on. I admit the acting was excellent, but not understandable to me.

[@LuxAeterna22878]

He's gotta be jazzed that he got the part of Wesker! Poetic justice I'd say.

[@crookedlamp]

Oh, boy, do I know crickets...

[@fletchdavidson6079]

I needed to see these. I need to know what I'm up against.

[@wandabhala933]

Bra!!!

[@ardraimmortal09]

YOU WERE AMAZING IN FRINGE!! i'm looking for you lance! can't wait to see you again

[@MrPmc71]

Honest question: could it be no white colleagues wanted to watch it because they didn’t want to be reminded of the drug selling/drug addiction situation in America? They didn’t want to see real-life stories of poverty-stricken society as opposed to watch black actors? Would that still be considered racists?

[@relaxationstation7374]

I knew that this guy was a man to watch after watching Bad City / Dirty Work (which is available for free on KZbin) innumerable times!

[@KakashiHatake-xq6wx]

I can’t with this all I hear is Zabala talking 😂

[@DrErnst]

He's one of the greatest actors and his comanding voice is so cool!

[@geneawisea2708]

But where their ratings as high as the other shows?

[@michaellargent4090]

That cop comedy HAS to be brooklyn 99. Pretty funny.

[@jordachejordan90]

What's so interesting is the running joke now is only wht ppl watch the wire. Hopefully the future is more inclusive.

[@R0ndras]

Its even better when The Wire is considered the best show ever, by most people. Their racism literally didnt work and those people that they hate ended up being better than them.

[@psycold]

Growing up in Idaho in the 90's, there were no black people here. I had one friend who was obsessed with the show but I never watched it until 2013 and couldn't believe I waited that long. That show was so eye-opening for someone like me who grew up in white suburbia.

[@ifallintofantasy]

Damn that sad he deserves so much more. I wish that human beings would raise up over racism and let this be a think of the past

[@TheZephos]

Rest In Power, gone too soon

[@sludgedisciple]

Great actor, The Wire, Bosch, etc. I could go on.

[@JupGem]

I don’t even know how Lance is (last person on earth ? Lol) Seriously though, his advice is great for everyone actually. Because, who hasn’t felt marginalized on some factor or another. Lack of opportunity is the worst! Keep your integrity!

[@SgtKaneGunlock]

i got into the wire cuz Kevin smith had Michical K williams on his podcast honestly one of the best rabbit holes i ever feel down

[@mitch315]

3:06 He's definitely talking about Brooklyn 99

[@kris7bs]

He has to be talking about Brooklyn 99

[@feelwang]

A very good actor without a doubt.

[@banyarling]

My (at the time) 50something white mom and her sister loved the Wire while it was showing and kept telling me to watch it. I didn't have a TV and streaming internet was still a joke, so I had to wait to watch the DVDs, and by now I've probably seen the whole series a dozen times. BUT I can imagine how the "street talk" alienated less open-minded people.

[@Allagi22]

Hollywood and the TV/movie industry has never been a level playing field or a fair industry. It's 100% true that racism/prejudice did and does play a role in who becomes a star and who doesn't. That being said....I don't think Lance is being fair here either. "The Wire" had relatively poor ratings when it debuted and as he says here it had stiff competition including "The Sopranos" which it lead into on the same network. It's not surprising that by and large the show got overlooked during its run. Secondly, I like the man's acting but in many roles he frankly seems one dimensional---The strong, severe, perfectionist. Even in "The Wire" I enjoyed his acting but Idris Elba and Dominic West delivered FAR better performances and were way more believable as characters. And Lastly---the man has had one hell of a career! Being a tv/movie actor is insanely competitive and very few get to do it for a living let alone have the kind of roles and success that Lance Reddick had. By all accounts he had a pretty fantastic career and was a very successful character actor that received acclaim and praise. He took part in some great movies/tv shows and died a multimillionaire. Did he achieve the fame of an A lister like Denzel Washington or Jamie Foxx? No, but those two are beyond a shadow of a doubt BETTER ACTORS.

[@bruh-fw7op]

Fuck. Rest in peace Commander Zavala.

[@paulasperber8088]

I LOVE this man! Great actor.....great human being!

[@borisjohnsondeservescorona4752]

Bless this great awesome man.

[@ezioauditore6038]

Muh racism. So tiresome 🙄

[@brysonrodriguez1904]

DC show cast him as Martian Manhunter

[@CharlesVanNoland]

RIP Lance. Too soon, way too soon.

[@psuedospike]

Wow, that's really interesting.