When Sullivan Walker signed up for Scouting for Talent in 1969 he had no idea that it was the genesis for something much greater.
By Sateesh Maharaj"I won the preliminary and the semi-final but placed third in the finals. The third prize was a trip to the (United) States."
A former teacher at the St Paul's Anglican School he was first exposed to literature as a member of the San Fernando Drama Guild which, at the time, was run by James Lee Wah and operated out of the Naparima Bowl. His training at the Guild prepared him for the two minute skit that would inevitably launch his career.
Once in New York, Walker continued his foray into theatre gaining experience and respect in the theatre community. His first major screen opportunity came when he was chosen for a small role in Crocodile Dundee. Three years later he was cast as Dr Cliff Huxtable's Trinidadian friend on The Cosby Show.
Since then, Walker has amassed an impressive resum? of media appearances including Earth 2, Where I Live, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Living Single, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Sentinel, The Pretender and most recently, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.
"I prefer the on screen acting because it pays better," Walker laughs. "Yet, I'm a theatre actor at heart. I had decided I wasn't going to do theatre because it was just too difficult. Just as I was getting out-according to Al Pacino- they pulled me back in.
In February, Walker was given top billing in Trevor Rhone's comedy drama, Two Can Play. Held at various venues including the Crossroads Theatre and the White Plains Performing Arts Centre, the story focused on the lives of a couple trying to escape the political turmoil of Jamaica.
The play received fantastic reviews, but the biggest news was yet to come.
"As soon as it closed I got a call for this film called Get Rich or Die Trying. I was fortunate to get the role of playing his grandfather. We're shooting it now in Toronto. I'm excited about it."
Filming is expected to continue in New York.
In case your jaw hasn't dropped by now let me spell it out for you-Sullivan Walker will be portraying rapper 50 Cent's grandfather in the upcoming movie adaptation of the mega star's formative years.
Walker admits to being an avid listener of rap music so Cent's music is nothing new to him. In fact, he reveals, he is quite a fan of his co-actor.
"I'm very much into rap. I think a lot of it is quite creative. One of the things I liked about him was that he included the steel pan in one of his earlier hits, P.I.M.P."
From the script Walker learned that the superstar's grandparents played a pivotal role is shaping his character.
"He grew up with his grandparents. They raised in him and instilled in him strong values and discipline. He doesn't drink. He doesn't do smoke. He doesn't do drugs. He's a consummate professional. I'm hoping for the movie's sake that he's also a talented actor. I met him. He's a nice young man. He gave me a big hug. I guess he's seen some of my stuff. I'm looking forward to this run."
Walker said that 50 Cent's grandparents stood by him through every tribulation, nurturing him love in during his darkest times.
"I think that his grandfather grounded him. This is a kid who wanted to succeed. Like most kids who go astray they have ability but need someone to keep them on the right path. He left home when he was a teenager but caught up in the drug culture. While he was with his grandparents they were very supportive of him. They were his backbone."
He continued: "He and I really haven't sat down and talked about his family, but we will. In the film there is the re-occurring idea of him going back to his grandmother's house. There was nurturing, love and support there. Grandparents do the best
they can. He had to go through so much pain; losing his mother at a young age and not knowing who his father was. All those things probably forced him to be attracted to the streets. They would show up in court no matter what his misdeed. I think some of that love was able to steer him back on the right path."
Walker believed that the artiste's music does not promote violence but simply talks about the world he knew.
"His experience was gun play and the streets. What we got to look at is the fact that he's been able to come out of that through art, music and his intellect. He gave the listener a sense of what that life was like. At the same time he took a narrow street culture and made it universally acceptable."
The actor says that to this day he is still very connected to this country. Walker holds cherished memories of Trinidad close to his heart and still brings tears when he relives them.
"Everything I am today started in Trinidad. It started with the people who raised me. I was poor but determined to succeed. I was taught to be disciplined, have respect for myself and my people. Those are the things I take with me. My teachers paid particular attention to me. I went to school without books, sometimes barefoot. I had one uniform I would wear. They realised that I had substance."
He added: "My family couldn't afford to send me to college. I got an alternative education. the teachers at the school I went to tutored me in the evenings. I began teaching and acting at the same time. Actors like Errol Jones, Ralph Campbell, Stanley Marshall influenced me. I left Trinidad rich with knowledge. America just allowed me the opportunity to discover more of myself. Knowing where I came from has kept me grounded."
