So true is the saying that between every rock there is a diamond. From the hills of Success Village, Laventille, international actor Sullivan Walker shines and continues to proudly fly the T&T flag high. What started off as a simple gig in a local comedy at the tender age of nine, has opened doors for Walker, landing him major roles in films with some of Hollywood's biggest singers and actors–among them rap sensation Curtis '50 Cents' Jackson and Tom Cruise. Walker, like some of our local celebrities, has definitely been inducted to our local hall of fame. The boy from crime-ridden Laventille continues to sparkle, giving us hope that all is not gloom. Only recently the father of one returned to his homeland and held auditions for a television commercial at Trinidad Dance Theatre in San Fernando. There is no limit to the playwright/director of the Caribbean Experience Theatre of America talent as he has also launched his first book entitled Caribbean Woman, that tells the story of life in the Caribbean. Taking time from his hectic schedule during his visit to T&T, Walker sat with the Sunday Guardian reflecting on the some of the many challenges he faced to reach stardom. It has been no turning back for the young chap who migrated to the United States more than 30 years ago. A move one can only describe as a blessing in disguise.
Twist of fate
While attributing his success to the head of the San Fernando Drama Guild, James Leewah who spotted his talent, it was the popular Scouting for Talent Show that paved the way for Walker's big break. At the time though, it did not seem much for a disappointed Walker who placed third in the competition with his monologue that depicted the ills in society. Accepting his prize–a trip to New York–with a heavy heart, little did Walker know that luck was waiting on the doorsteps for him. "I was very upset when I placed third. I won both the preliminary and semi final rounds so I had my heart set on winning the competition. I thought I did well but I was only able to capture the third spot. I took one year to make up my mind to decide if I was going because I was really disappointed," he recalled.
It was barely one month after Walker migrated to the United States in August 1969 that he started performing in youth clubs in New York.
"I wanted to be someone. I wanted to do something in my life; acting consumed me. I wanted the world to be my classroom.
I realised that getting a trip to the United States was the best thing that could have happened to me because I could not have afforded to go abroad on my salary as a schoolteacher. "The irony is that Trinidadians saw these plays as humorous, but Americans did not see the humor, in essence it was a sad story for them." One after the other doors began to open for Walker; he got the second lead role in a play Season in the Congo. "I was making $75 dollars per week and the play ran for three months. I thought I had arrived, obviously I did not know the business. Acting in New York calls for you to pay dues; I did not understand how the business worked so I had o fall back on whatever job I got. Basically I did what was legal to make a living and that even included working in a mailroom delivering packages. When I got my union card I started to see my way," Walker said.
The big break
Walker recalled that in 1986 he was doing a play called A Doll's House in Atlanta when the casting of the popular Bill Cosby Show called and offer him a job. "I was asked to act as Cosby's best friend but I was unable to get out of my contract. It was exactly one year after the casting called again and I was offered a job as a cab driver on a series called Where I Live, which aired on ABC television. That led to a job with Steven Spielberg and I acted in another series called Earth Two and then I also had the opportunity to act with Tom Cruise in the hit film The Firm. This was a great opportunity for me which opened more doors."
But never in Walker's wildest dreams did he ever imagine that he would have been acting with one of Hollywood's biggest rappers. He beat out Grammy winners like Samuel L Jackson, Laurence Fishburne and Jim Browne to get the part of 50 Cents grandfather in the hit film Get Rich or Die Trying. "This was a very significant milestone for me because at the time 50 Cents was the biggest rapper. I was chosen for the job over some of the biggest actors; it felt really good," he said.
Rejection is part of life
But it was not always smooth sailing for Walker who admitted that he was forced to deal with several bouts of disappointment. "For every film I got there was a film I wanted and just did not get. It has definitely not been an easy road. I had my heart broken and just had to pick up the pieces and move on. The thing about acting is that you have to learn to take rejection well. If you cannot take rejection you may as well throw your hat into the ring. It is not about giving up but pushing to get what you want," the successful actor ended.