Thread by @levarburton

#ROOTS was my first professional audition. I was a 19 year old Theater major, @USC when I played Kunta Kinte.

My first day on the set the legendary @IAmCicelyTyson played my mother, Bings Kinte. @DrMayaAngelou played my grandmother, Nyo Boto. I was in the big leagues, fo’ sho!

I was in absolute, reverential, awe of the company I found myself in. The sole reason I wasn’t intimidated was the actor’s certainty that I KNEW who the character was. I knew that kid. I was that kid!
#KuntaKinte
#ROOTS

Thank you, #AlexHaley for fulfilling the fullness of your destiny and sharing your family’s story with all of us. 🙏🏾♥️✊🏾

Fun Fact: In the first take of this scene with OJ, I ignored the blocking and during the chase, at the point he was supposed to catch me, I took off. He couldn’t catch me! The director, David Greene, scolded me for wasting everyone’s time. The Juice needed a 10 min breather.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the inimitably majestic, @LouisGossettJr and so many more, for taking me under their wing and teaching me how to fly.
#myROOTSstory
#bydhttmwfi