Rick Fox made his debut on Greenleaf, Wednesday night. The retired NBA player, turned actor talked with Rolling Out about what working with Oprah, Lynn Whitfield and Merle Dandridge on the hit church drama mean to him.
“Mentor, leader, visionary. She clears the way. She has a clear voice and a strong message. She wants to uplift and she wants to challenge, but then she’s just so talented. She’s full of energy and never settles… wants excellence, demands it of herself and those around her. It just comes down to it, that’s she is inspiring.”
Lynn Whitfield:
“One of my joys of having a 22-year career is to finally be able to step on a set and be opposite someone like Lynn Whitfield. She’s someone whom I’ve known from afar and she’s close to Vanessa [Williams], my ex-wife. I’ve watched her work, have been a fan and admired her work for years. You get into your career and then one day you find yourself on set working with one of your idols.”
Merle Dandridge:
“How blessed am I. I have been the captain of a team before. But, when you’re at the head of a show, it sits on your shoulders to set the tone, day in and day out, set the temperature, leaning forward and keeping everyone in tune and in sync and yet you still have to carry the weight of the show emotionally. In your second season, you have a new cast mate walk in, you have to bring him up to speed and maintain your excellence. She has done it. Over the course of the time, I have seen her and watched her work. I didn’t know her personally, but I have watched her in plays and seen her on TV. At the root, there’s just so much character, professionalism and the craft is just abundant. The selflessness and the way she is just so open and easy to work with. It’s a gift to find someone and to be on set with someone who’s that amazing.”
