Actor Delroy Lindo, whose films include “Gone in Sixty Seconds,” “The Cider House Rules” and “Malcolm X,” came to Fresno State on Wednesday to speak at the inaugural Black Popular Culture Lecture Series.
Fresno State President Joseph Castro, his wife, Mary, students and members of the community filled North Gym 118 to see the actor discuss his upbringing and his passion for acting.
Dr. T. Hasan Johnson, an Africana Studies professor, created the event to accompany his Hip-Hop Research and Interview Project held every spring. The series was sponsored by a grant from the College of Social Sciences and fundraising efforts.
“I decided to have an event where students are able to meet successful people and learn what it takes for them to reach that level,” he said. “We have the hip-hop event in the spring and this in the fall.
“When I proposed the idea to President Castro, it took him no longer than five minutes before he said yes.”
Johnson said he chose Lindo as the speaker because of the quality of his work and his passion for perfection.
Lindo was born to Jamaican parents in London, then moved to Toronto and San Francisco. His dream of acting began at 5 years old, when he participated in a school play. It wasn’t until Easter 1973 when he saw the black-produced “The River Niger,” that he considered a full-time job in acting.
He attended the American Conservatory Theater (ACT), where he studied Shakespeare to enhance his knowledge of acting.
“At ACT, we came out of a philosophy that thought theater can change the world,” Lindo said.
After he began his career in theater, he transitioned to television and film, which he said was simple. He has played numerous roles, from an F.B.I. agent to a thief, over his 36-year career.
“Theater can give you grounding as an actor,” he said. “There are people who perform well in front of the camera and not do as well when they go to the stage.”
Clips from Lindo’s movies were played at the event. Afterward, he went behind-the-scenes and talked about the preparation for his roles.
He shared his technique of preparatory research. His example was his portrayal of Harlem gangster West Indian Archie in “Malcolm X.”
“I created a biography of this character,” he said. “It was my own background about him. I had cuff links made with his initials and everything, just so that I can become this man.”
In the movie, the character suffers a debilitating stroke. To prepare for this part, Lindo spent hours in a hospital to study the actions of recovering stroke patients.
“I just sat there and observed,” he said. “I didn’t talk to them. I just watched.”
After the lecture, he was awarded the Master of Craft award.
“His stuff moved me,” Johnson said of Lindo. “I was growing up during most of his movies, and I really related to his work. People like him encourage students to take what they’re doing and master their craft.”
Daaimah Brown, a senior Africana Studies major, said the event was a brand new experience. She was one of a handful of attendees who asked Lindo questions after the event.
“It was different than what I expected,” she said. “I like how [Lindo] gave an insight to his acting techniques and his personality.
“Usually, we have teacher lectures, but it was refreshing to see people from different career areas.”
In future events, Johnson said he expects a variety of speakers at the event.
“It’s called the Popular Culture Series,” he said. “It can be anyone as long as they fit that parameter.”