Hello Beautiful People,
James Earl is an actor, producer, and director. He’s been seen onscreen in such films as Gridiron Gang (2006), Fired Up! (2009) and Half Truth(2009). His television career includes shows such as Glee, Glory Daze, and Las Vegas (just to name a few). His newest role will be that of Derrick on the new comedy, Ground Floor, which quite literally is airing on tbs TODAY.
Ladies + Gents, meet James Earl…
MM: Did you always want to be an actor?
JE: I always wanted to be an actor, but before I wanted to be an actor I wanted to be a police officer. But then I got into the arts at young age, and once I was involved, I really liked it, and that was it.
MM: Of all the roles you’ve portrayed in your career thus far, which ones are most memorable?
JE: My role in Glee as Azimio is most memorable to me. I also remember I played this character called Little Fly on a show called Las Vegas, that was great and I had a blast playing that role. And now I’m really excited for Derrek on Ground Floor.
MM: What can audiences expect from your new show, Ground Floor?
JE: It’s a funny workplace comedy with a romantic twist. We have all kinds of quirky things going on – Billy Lawrence, Jeff Astrof, and Greg Malins really did a great job coming up with this show. It’s something people can really relate to, and that’s why I love it.
MM: Can you explain to our readers what it was like to be a part of a groundbreaking series like Glee?
JE: To be a part of Glee was amazing. I didn’t really understand what it was at the time, but it was fun, it was great, and I had a blast. Meeting everyone, working with everyone – it was just amazing.
MM: Just for fun, if I were to walk into your home, what books would permanently be on your bookshelf?
JE: Guitar Center Magazine, I have a lot of books, but they’re all in the garage, so if you wanted to see them, that’s where you’d have to go. But you’d find a lot of philosophy books, because I’m really interested in that.
MM: Just for fun, if you were stranded on a desert island, (assuming you had a television and DVD player), what movies and television shows would you want to have with you?
JE: New Jack City, every episode of Martin that was ever made. I’d need a lot of stuff, because hey, I’d be stranded, so I’d need as much as I can get! I’d need all the funny classic comedies on a deserted island.
MM: Just for fun, what comedian do you most identify with?
JE: I love Eddie Murphy, I love Dave Chappelle, I love Chris Tucker – I identify with a lot of people.
MM: If you had to offer words of wisdom to students in high school and/or college who wish to pursue a career as an actor, what would you tell them?
JE: I tell the kids that you have to be confident. That’s the main way to make it in this business, and in any business. You have to be confident in what you do. If you are confident in what you do, then nobody can shatter your dreams but you.
MM: In today’s economy, arts programs in schools are being cut. What reasons would you give to a school board and/or politician for preserving the arts?
JE: I would tell them that in this new generation that we’re living in right now, most of the kids excel in the arts more than anything else because that’s what we’re familiar with, that’s what we love to do. My generation was the beginning of that, but then they stripped the programs from the school day. I was in band and I was in an improv class, which was an afterschool program. That’s what kept me from being in a gang. We need these things.
MM: What’s next for James Earl?
JE: Hopefully more Ground Floor. I have a group called Future III, and we’re going to put some stuff out soon. I want to do more producing, DJ work, acting, and I want to travel the world.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
JE: Eric Thomas. I’ve learned so much from him.
Thank you, James!
Live, Love, Learn,