Wood Harris on The Wire, Above the Rim & Feeling Pressure Acting With Denzel Washington

About this episode

Wood Harris discusses his experiences in acting and basketball, including his roles and the pressures of working with Denzel Washington.

Wood Harris sits down with Carmelo Anthony and Kazeem Famuyide for a conversation that moves between basketball, acting and the discipline behind both. He breaks down how he really landed Motaw in Above the Rim, why hooping separated him from other actors and what it was like filming The Wire in Baltimore at a time when the city felt exactly like the show. Wood reflects on stepping onto set with Denzel Washington for the first time, feeling the pressure in that moment and why he believes sports is more honest than acting. He talks about Tupac’s presence during Above the Rim, playing Spencer Haywood in Winning Time and the mindset that carried him from the west side of Chicago to a 30-year career. Wood also opens up about being kicked out of NYU, nearly losing everything and the turning point that forced him to bet on himself. This is a rare look at the competitor behind the characters and the perspective that shaped one of the most consistent careers in black cinema. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Carmelo Anthony, Kazeem Famuyide

Guest: Wood Harris

Topics covered

• acting
• basketball
• pressure
• career
• cinema
• discipline

Keywords

• Wood Harris
• Carmelo Anthony
• Denzel Washington
• Above the Rim
• The Wire
• acting
• basketball
• career
• pressure

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Wire, Above the Rim, Winning Time

Places: Baltimore, Chicago

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