by Tim Gordon
For over three decades, Jeffrey Wright has become one of the most respected actors in the business. Described as “an actors’ actor,” Wright sat down with TheFilmGordon for an extended conversation to discuss his latest film, American Fiction, as well as why the story was so personal for him.
A highly decorated and respected actor, over his career, Wright has garnered a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Black Reel Award, and a Tony Award. He started his career in theatre where he gained prominence in the Broadway production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America (1993), for which he won a Tony Award. He reprised his role in the HBO miniseries adaptation earning a Primetime Emmy Award. He returned to Broadway in the Suzan-Lori Parks play Topdog/Underdog for which he received a nomination for the Tony Award.
His first starring film role was as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Basquiat. His other notable films include Shaft, Syriana, Lady in the Water, Cadillac Records, The Ides of March, Rustin, and his latest, American Fiction. Wright also displayed his diversity and range appearing in Wes Anderson’s films The French Dispatch, and Asteroid City. In addition, he gained attention for playing Felix Leiter in the James Bond films Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and No Time to Die; Beetee Latier in The Hunger Games films; and Jim Gordon in The Batman.
Wright earned acclaim for the HBO series’ Boardwalk Empire and Westworld, the latter of which earned him three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He also lent his voice as the Watcher in the Marvel Studios animated series What If…?.
Listen to the Conversation, below: