What happens when the glitz and glamor of Tinsel Town collides head on with the grit and persistence of the Motor City? An equal combination of unique talent, drive and “it” factor that all Detroit-bred Michiganders possess. With several top musical artists making a name for the city and themselves, famed actors and actresses have also emerged from the city and are appearing in some of television and film’s greatest works.
Actress Kron Moore has appeared in several small television and film roles in productions like “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” as well as in various Tyler Perry films and projects, including “The Haves and the Have Nots.” The actress landed her first starring role as the First Lady of the United States of America. Again, teaming up with Perry, Moore plays the no-nonsense, persuasive and underhanded First Lady Victoria Franklin. The role shines a dark light on the actress whose character gets what she wants by any means necessary.
Rooted in Detroit, Moore attended Southfield High School and went to Western Michigan University, later transferring to the University of Alabama. Moore then graduated at the top of her class from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts Video program and went on to pursue a fruitful career in front of the camera, but taking the city with her wherever she steps.
“[I admired] our Motown favorites — Aretha, all of the Motown gang. We love Detroit,” Moore tells fellow Detroiter Loni Love on a 2020 appearance on television talk show “The Real.”
Broadway, the big screen and television — Detroit-bred Courtney B. Vance has graced each and gave both iconic and memorable performances. Appearing in “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Six Degrees of Separation” and notably portraying famed lawyer Johnnie Cochran in the 2016 FX drama “The People vs. O.J. Simpson,” this actor has a career that spans multiple decades and genres.
Growing up just eight house from Hitsville USA and graduating from Detroit Country Day High School in 1978, this Detroit actor went on to graduate from two Ivy League schools: Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and Yale School of Drama. The acting bug bit while the performer was still attending Harvard where he would book work with the Boston Shakespeare Company.
Now, while his career steadily grows with roles in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” Netflix drama “Uncorked” and playing the father in “Genius: Aretha,” National Geographic’s series about powerhouse singer Aretha Franklin, Vance’s work stands the test of time. Engrossed with the character he played, C.L. Franklin who was a prominent reverend across the country who also played an active role in his daughter’s upbringing and subsequent rise to stardom. Becoming engrossed with his character, the actor learned much more about the dynamic singer and her music.
“I’m from Detroit so I was raised on it and I know all her music. I didn’t know she had to struggle so hard to find her way, and that, to me, is the core of who she is: that she would not be denied,” Vance said in an interview with Variety.
FX’s “Snowfall” has made its mark in Black television culture and has been compared to the likes of “The Wire.” Actress Angela Lewis, who plays main character Franklin Saint’s ride-or-die Aunt Louie, acknowledges her success is due to the upbringing she received in the city.
Attending Cass Technical High School and furthering her education at the University of Michigan, the actress received her bachelor’s degree in Theater Performance and has taken to the stage and the screen by storm. Moving to New York and later to Los Angeles, the Detroit–born and -raised actress was cast in late filmmaker and director John Singleton’s “Snowfall.“
With gigs in plays and small roles on HBO’s “The Big C,” Lewis earned a spot guest starring on “Law and Order: Special Victim’s Unit” before landing her acclaimed role as Aunt Louie.
“Snowfall” has just been cleared for its fifth season and is sure to give you more drama, and more Angela.
Another Detroit-bred actor who made it big in Tinsel Town plays characters known in several box office comedies. Ice Cube’s “Friday” series, an animated voice on “Bebe’s Kids” and “The Boondocks” along with the television show “The Wayans Brothers,” are all projects to which John Witherspoon has loaned his talents.
Born and raised in the city, Witherspoon’s brother later became a writer for Detroit’s Motown Records, while other siblings assumed roles in local news and pastoral leadership. Before launching into acting, the Detroiter modeled and had a lucrative career as a stand-up comedian.
Now deceased, the actor’s memory lives on through each Hollywood project he appeared in.
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