All Bases Covered : Brian J. White Interview

Photo Courtesy Brian White LLC. Graphic Design by KanDel Media

Life is amazing with the strange twists and turns it can take us through. In one minute you could be a Dartmouth graduate signed to professional football and lacrosse teams and the next, you could sustain an injury which shifts you into an entirely new direction. For some, these devastating turn of events would be considered insurmountable setbacks; for Brian J. White, it was an opportunity to excel in other areas, namely television and film.

After his injury in 1999, Brian has modeled extensively, co-founded Phunk Phenomenon, a professional urban dance/ theater company with Reia Briggs and has had a varied yet steady climb into the television and film arenas. “At this early stage in my career, my main goal is to mature as an actor. To fully develop my craft, I must explore every facet of this business.” One flash of his camera ready smile, charismatic charm and daring sex appeal and it is easy to understand why a chance meeting with an agent at a fashion show commenced his journey as an actor.

“For me, it all comes down to focusing on one unified goal,” says Brian about choosing roles. “I only get involved with roles that I find intriguing, in top quality productions regardless of the medium. I try not to focus on the format itself and concentrate instead, on finding roles that challenge and entertain me as an artist.”

Just under a five-year span, his versatility in comedic and dramatic undertakings have banked him supporting and lead roles in independent films such as The Movie Hero with Jeremy Sisto and Me and Mrs. Jones starring Kim Fields.

Soon Brian began shining next to stars like Bernie Mac, Angela Bassett in the Touchstone Pictures 2004 release Mr. 3000 and most recently co-starred with Diane Keaton and Sarah Jessica Parker in The Family Stone. A true renaissance man, Brian’s interests in writing, producing and directing prompted him to launch a production company, “White, LLC”.

With other credits which include, a recurring role as Detective Tavon Garris, in the critically acclaimed FX channel series, The Shield. On the UPN’s series, Second Time Around with Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, he was a series regular. Brian is quickly becoming a staple of raw talent in the industry.

Most recently White’s resume has grown to include is most recent roles opposite of Dwayne Johnson aka “The Rock” was in Disney’s The Game Plan, the fantasy-adventure epic In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale with Jason Statham and recurring TV role in Moonlight for CBS.

In 2009, he appeared opposite Channing Tatum and Terrance Howard in Rogue Pictures Fighting . White next starred in Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself, opposite Taraji P. Henson, and rounded out the decade in a series regular role in the Emmy Award nominated drama series, Men of a Certain Age for TNT.

“I have been pretty blessed with exceptionally well-written material. My primary goal is to help deconstruct the “urban” tag, that is placed on films and television shows with minority leads, by redefining exactly what the term “urban” means. If done right, these stories could transcend ethnic boundaries and appeal to audiences across all demographics.” – Brian J. White www.brianwhiteonline.com

By: Kandie Delley
www.kandiedelley.com