Photo Credit: Jeremy Ray Valdez
Marque Richardson is a high energy, multi-faceted actor,
writer and producer. He can currently be seen in the critically-acclaimed
Dear White People, a satirical comedy that examines race and identity in
America through the stories of four black, Ivy League college students.
As a young actor, Marque amassed some impressive credits, including recurring
roles on HBO’s The Newsroom and True Blood. He has also
guest-starred on Brooklyn Nine Nine, Anger Management and
The Middle.
Kam Williams: Hi Marque, thanks for the interview.
Marque Richardson: Hey, Kam, how's it going? [Chuckles]
Thank YOU for the interview!
KW: What interested you in Dear White People?
MR: What interested me in Dear White People was that it was smart, funny,
modern and it had something to say that people needed to hear.
KW: Tell me a little about your character, Reggie?
MR: Reggie is a beast! Intelligent, strong and militant, he's a computer
science major at Winchester University. He's like a modern-day Malcolm X
mixed with the character Buggin' Out from Spike
Lee's Do the Right Thing.
What's most interesting about Reggie is that he defers a lot of his
responsibility off onto the other characters of the film. In a way, Reggie
represents the population of the world that wants change but doesn't want to
take responsibility to act themselves, the population that is waiting for
their hero.
KW: What do you think of the issues raised by the film?
MR: There are tons of issues which the film brings to light, from race to
identity to sexuality. The characters are a complex mix that serves as a
mirror effect for audiences, which is why so many people of diverse
backgrounds relate to the film. At the end of the day, this is a story about
identity and the biggest thing I hope people get from the film is that it's
okay to be yourself at all times. Own your uniqueness and all that makes you
who you are because there’s no better you… than you.
KW: True. Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone
would?
MR: "Would you like to play the first black Capt. America?" I want Marvel to
ask me that.
KW: Have you ever had a near-death experience?
MR: I almost drowned when I was 5 years-old. Had to stay at the hospital and
all that jazz. I still love swimming though!
KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
MR: I love watching bad horror movies. Like the ones that are so bad they're
good. Anything on fear.net. And I am a fatty, I love eating food, if I could
eat, sleep and watch bad horror movies all day, I would.
KW: The bookworm
Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
MR: I’m, currently reading the Richard Pryor biography
Furiously Cool. What a gift he was!
KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?
MR: I love to barbecue. I will barbecue the [bleep] out of anything… and you
will like it! [LOL]
KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?
MR: Food!
KW: The Harriet Pakula-Teweles question: With so many classic films
being redone, is there a remake you'd like to star in?
MR: I can’t stand remakes. We haven't run out of ideas. Start something new!
KW: What’s in your wallet?
MR: Not a damn thing. [Laughs]
KW: Thanks again for the time, Marque, and best of luck with the
film.
MR: Thanks so much, Kam, and best of luck to you, too
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