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Eamonn's Ethos
By Ya
London
latest acting import, Eamonn Walker is on the move. He brings a fiery determinism to
Kareem Said, the strong yet vulnerable Muslim leader in HBO's OZ. Over three seasons,
we've watched Said go from the pinnacle of leadership to banishment by his flock and OZ's
fourth season holds more of the same. Although his work garnered him a Cable Ace award,
critical acclaim and a role in the upcoming Once in the Life, Eamonn isn’t fooled. He
knows the truth of his profession so he stands ready to seize the right opportunity.
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© 2000 RLP Ventures, LLC |
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While relaxing in a NYC eatery, Eamonn
recounts how he fell into acting after a leg injury canceled his dancing career. He lights
a Dunhill and explains. "I figured dancers were supposed to endure all kinds of pain,
so I ignored the injury for 6 months. Soon the pain became unbearable and I went to the
doctor who immediately recommended surgery and a long recuperation." Recuperate he
did, but his wife knew he needed to stay occupied, so she suggested he try acting. She
found an open audition and Eamonn jumped on it.
"I wasn't an actor, but I figured what the hell. I'll go for it." Since the
audition required him to sing, he selected classical and contemporary pieces. The result?
"They were terrible - rubbish!" But for his final tryout, Eamonn went armed with
a secret weapon. "I found Oscar Browne, Jr.'s 'Signifying Monkey' and knew I had a
winner. I figured, no one in London knew who he was or what this song was about so I 'd
have an advantage. Turns out, the guy casting WAS familiar with the work so that threw me
for a loop!" But it didn't matter because the director recognized something special
in Eamonn, immediately chose him and an acting career was born.
TV followed, as did British films and along the way Eamonn met folk who helped him make
big career moves. One such person is Linda La Plante, Eamonn's mentor, who snagged him a
reading for the OZ pilot. "Linda phoned me up and said 'What are you doing?' I said
'I'm in bed!' (laughs) and she answers 'Good! You're flying to New York tomorrow …
new project … I'll fax you the script …' and she just went on as if I wouldn't
say no!"
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The morning before his reading, divine
inspiration intervened when Eamonn called Joan Fields, his manager, to see if she knew
anyone he could talk to about Muslim life. In a flash, Eamonn headed uptown to meet the
minister from Harlem's famous 116th street Mosque. Eamonn's visit with the minister was
not your ordinary "sit down and tell me what's up" conversation as Eamonn
recalls. "So I meet this brother and he and I talked all day. He was so gracious. He
introduced me to his wife, we walked through Harlem, the whole bit, ya know? I spent the
entire day and evening with him. He's like a surrogate brother to me now and I see him
every single Sunday I'm here."
For Eamonn, his job is so much more than the regular acting rigors of emoting and
memorizing. It's about conveying the character as sincerely as possible. His firework
performances as Said are proof. "I don't always know how it ends up on camera.
Ordinarily, you just go over and over the lines. But because my time with the minister was
so enriching, it changed my approach to Said. Said requires a definite realism or else the
character doesn't ring true. And I ain't havin' that" he laughs.
So what about OZ and those who think the show's raw violence keeps many viewers (and some
say television award committees) away? Eamonn's takes it in stride. After sipping his
Glenlivet he explains. "You know what? People should get beyond the violence of it.
Violence is everywhere and we shouldn't be so turned off by it that we miss the whole
point of something that could teach and enlighten us. The show is really a study in what
lengths the characters go to survive. And it's grounded in honest normal human feelings,
needs and emotions." When asked about those who think that OZ's focus on men
confronting their vulnerabilities and fears keeps viewers away, he agrees, but reiterates
"[We] shouldn't throw out the whole just because the parts make people uncomfortable.
Traditional ways of thinking are being challenged here, but that's a good thing because
individuals can learn from this. Healthy discussions help others to understand, even if
they disagree, but we shouldn't discount something just because it frightens and
challenges."
Gotta believe in something and like many others Eamonn does. Fate, God, time whatever you
want, he believes because it has worked for him. "Once a month I go, wow, look what
I've done and that's because I've trusted my gut on a lot. I try and give myself
reasonable goals because I have the potential to be whatever I want. When I tell you I'm
happy, I'm happy."
Any regrets? "I really don't have a thing in the world to complain about. I'd do
things the same if I had to do it all over again." When prompted to ponder a career
other than acting, Eamonn responds, "I'd probably be a director and I'm actually
moving in that direction now not only because I'm interested, but because that's the next
logical step." He has taken film courses at NYU and now sports a digital video camera
on the OZ set filming shots when can. He's also moving to bigger screens starting with the
Laurence Fishburne directed, Once in the Life playing the role of Tony T. "Laurence
gave me gold with this part. I couldn't have been more fortunate. We became close during
the film's shooting. And like most of my projects, I knew I'd learn a lot, which I
did." Word is Eamonn's performance as a hustler and "not so good guy" is on
fire.
Dinner's done and as we stand, folks start the "I know who that is" pointing and
whispering ritual. As we exit, Eamonn affirms. "Everything worth having is worth
working for. And I've worked all my life to meet my personal goals. I'm happy with that.
If you've done your best, your life's a success." Hopefully, more success means more
of him in films and TV. Yeah, so I'm selfish. I can hope, can't I?
M
July 2000
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