Journeyman Actor: Wendell Pierce's Reflections on Acting, Shakespeare, and Legacy
Wendell Pierce reflects on the stages of his acting career, from being unknown to being sought after and eventually being forgotten. He takes pride in being a journeyman actor who carefully selects his roles in television, film, and theater. Currently, he can be seen in CBS' Elsbeth and the film Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War, as well as in the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of Othello in Washington, D.C. Pierce compares the challenge of performing Shakespeare to climbing Mount Everest, requiring physical, intellectual, and emotional strength.
Pierce shares a pivotal moment when he realized the connection between jazz and Shakespeare, understanding the importance of freedom within a structured form. He recounts a moment at a jazz club in 1981 that helped him crack the code on Shakespeare's works. Additionally, he almost quit The Wire due to concerns about perpetuating stereotypes, but a conversation with a young actress changed his perspective on the impact of storytelling.
The actor also opens up about caring for his father in his final years, emphasizing the profound influence his father had on him. He recalls his father's service in World War II and his commitment to fighting for equality, which inspired Pierce in his own career. Pierce expresses frustration over the erasure of Black history and the ongoing challenges faced by minorities and women. He stresses the importance of preserving and celebrating the contributions of the African-American community for future generations.