By Jake Donovan
The critically acclaimed HBO series "The Wire" comes to an end after mid-March, but it's only just the beginning for multi-talented 15-year old actor Jermaine Crawford.
Crawford is best known to Wire junkies as Duquan "Dukie" Weems, one of the four main youths showcased in 2006 throughout Season 4, a role he reprises in the upcoming fifth and final season, which debuts Sunday, January 6 on HBO (9PM ET/PT). While's it's clearly serves as the breakout role for his career, there's far more to Crawford's game than just "Dukie"
"Of course, it's the first thing people will think of when they first recognize me somewhere," said Crawford during an exclusive interview with BoxingScene.com. "It's a role that changed my life, but no successful actor can allow a single role to define his career. I intend to use the success as a springboard, for bigger and better things to come, whether it's one the screen or behind the mic."
Talent-wise, Crawford is a triple threat, equally gifted as an actor, a singer and dancer. The talents first surfaced in 1995, when he first began performing at just three years of age. From local singing shows to theatre to a kid's edition of Showtime at the Apollo, Crawford was already making a name for himself along and outside the Beltway, where he currently resides.
Then came a tryout for a recurring role on "The Wire." And the rest is history – in progress.
"I was familiar with the show, though didn't really get to watch it much since it was on late Sunday nights. But I was always familiar with the writing on the show and thought it was incredible. Once I landed the part of Dukie, I was ecstatic, over the role as well as getting to be a part of something so special, so great."
Oddly enough, the part of Duquan wasn't the first role he had in mind when he first showed up for auditions.
"I tried out four times for the show. My first tryout was for the role of Michael. That eventually went to Tristan (Wilds, who also returns as a regular co-star for the final season). But then I came back, tried out for Duquan, and by the end, landed the role."
Landing the role was one thing. But gelling with three new actors brought into the rotation was another. Many cynics grew leery, first of new characters being introduced, and also how long it would take for them to click.
It took all of one scene for fans to understand the genius of David Simon, one of the show's creators. Crawford insists that's all it took for the Fab Four to hit it off.
"Honestly, from the very first scene, we were good. All of us were already familiar with each other during the auditions. So the first time I saw Maestro, Tristan and Julito (McCullum, who portrayed reluctant teen street soldier Namond Brice), we were all like "Alright, I know you, let's do this." So we just did it, and everyone liked it."
Blown away by their performances would be a more accurate description. In a series that's received nary a bad review since it premiered in June 2002, many hailed Season 4 as the best of the lot, largely due to the four newcomers arguably carrying the season.
It required great acting to pull off the trick, but there were enough similarities between character and real life to where it made it that much easier for Crawford to bring his A-game.
"I can easily relate to Duquan's shyness and being unconfident. I know what it's like to go into a new situation, not feeling totally confident, so that part was easy playing the character."
Of course, not everything at home was as it appeared on-screen.
"Well I definitely don't stink for starters," laughs Crawford. "But one of the major differences between us is that Dukie was too willing to let things slide, like when other characters got in his face, he would just kind of back down. I'm more the type to stand up, not necessarily throw down, but get in your face and let you know what's up, at least enough to where a situation never really gets beyond that, and also so others know they can't just have their way with me."
The character, and the show itself, introduced Crawford to a world he was previously not very familiar with, despite growing up not far from the show's location of Baltimore, MD.
"No doubt, the show helped opened my eyes to a lot of things. I'm home-schooled now, so obviously I don't get to experience the ongoings of the school system. But even when I went to public school, it was never as bad as what I was introduced to when doing this show.
"The homelessness, how kids get lost in the system, both in school and society, and just seeing the erosion of a major American city – it's just sad that this stuff goes on every day, yet goes largely ignored by the media. I'm grateful for the show bringing these issues to the surface. It reminds America that all is not OK.
"There's no question that it hit home for me."
So much, that Crawford has taken an active enough interest in homelessness to plan his next move – a documentary on the subject, presently in production. There are also a couple of movies in the works, including a supporting role in the upcoming release of the major motion picture "Boy of Pigs," which takes place in Washington, D.C. during the final years of the Kennedy administration.
Wire fans checking out Crawford's role should not expect an extension of Duquan Weems, which is precisely what he wants.
"When you take on a role like this, it's easy to get caught up in it," admits Crawford. "But lucky for me, I only did two seasons, so it's not like something where I'm automatically typecast as an introverted, unsocial character for every role."
Crawford guards against that by being more selective, though still grateful for the offers.
"Now that I'm seeking roles, there have been a few scripts I've had to politely reject, just because they were too similar to Dukie. In fact, I'm seeking roles the complete opposite of Dukie, just to let people know beyond the basics, I'm nothing like my character. I don't live like him or talk like him. I'm 6'2" now, and know what I want out of life, on and off the screen.
"It's the only way I can ever become a serious actor, and not just known for this one role, even as great of an opportunity as it's been."
An opportunity that's still ongoing, at least for those of us who haven't unearthed bootleg versions of the show and are still waiting to see how the final season plays out.
Not that Crawford or anyone else on the show is talking.
"All I can say is this; don't even try to wrap your head around it, because every time you think you have it figured out, things change up just like that. It's just going to hurt your brain. You just have to let it be."
C'mon dawg, not even a little taste?
"Who knows, maybe gets treated to a little fight action. You never know, you could see me jump from the corner to the boxing ring. You never know."
Boxing was introduced to the show in Season 3, when converted criminal Dennis "Cutty" Wise (portrayed by Chad Coleman) sought to build a boxing gym in an effort to take some kids off of the street, perhaps give them a better head-start than he had during his heyday. The fictional North Avenue gym was showcased throughout Season 4, with Dukie, Michael and Namond often frequenting the spot.
Though not involved in any fight scenes during Season 4, introducing that element to his character was fun for Crawford, whose father boxed once upon a time. Though still longing to attend his first big fight, Crawford remains an avid fan.
"I feel it's really an exciting time for boxing. I love seeing how they set up these events, and of course the ones on HBO, the great channel, but any boxing general. People often talk about football, baseball and basketball being the major American sports, but when you put on any given big fight, you can see celebrities from Denzel Washington to Angelina Jolie… the sport is just such a great part of American history."
Among his favorites in the game today: undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., Antonio Tarver and Zab Judah. But his love for the sport isn't just top-heavy.
"I just love the sport. You get caught up in it, your favorite guy gets knocked out, and you become heartbroken. It's just an emotional rollercoaster. Not unlike The Wire."
As any fighter would tell you, there's no act more grueling than getting your body, and remaining, in peak physical condition for a prize fight. In that respect, it's perhaps the exact opposite of what goes into acting, though the mental aspect can be every bit as taxing.
"In this business, you can't accept rejection, or you'll never survive," insists Crawford. "This business is without a doubt the most rejecting industry you will ever encounter. But just like your character, it's about how you handle rejection. Everything I've done has a domino effect, where even if I don't land a role, I'm still networking with people, always honing my craft.
"If there's a single piece of advice I can give to any aspiring actors, it's to never give up on your dreams. Always practice your craft, and not just think you got it all in one shot. Always remember that while you're sleeping, someone else is awake, looking to creep up right behind you. Never stop working hard, no matter how big or small you are in this game.
It's a philosophy Crawford still lives by, regardless of the level of the talent sharing the screen with him. It's a simple rule of thumb, as far as he's concerned: it's not who gets the part, but what you do with it once you have it.
"It's not about the big name actor, but it's about the talent. Honestly, I've seen a lot of movies and shows that hired a big name actor and thought to myself "I know a lot of people, lesser-known actors, who can do so much more with that part.
"So that's something I've learned early, that whoever I work with down the road, I will gladly accept it, and learn as much from them as possible, for each and every role."
Of course, every kid has a right to dream.
"Well, I can say that eventually working with Denzel Washington is an absolute must," admits Crawford, in a rare moment where, though always poised and humble, he actually comes across as a 15-year old. "Working with Denzel, Forest Whitaker… and of course, all of the great actors that came before them, especially Sidney Poitier.
"Hopefully I get to work with those great actors one day."
Don't be surprised if in the near future, a new sea of actors are longing for the day when they get to work alongside Jermaine Crawford.
Special thanks to Nikki Barjon of The R Agency for her tireless efforts in helping introduce Jermaine to the BoxingScene.com community. For more on one of today's most talented rising actors, check out his acting career and background on IMDB.com ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2369266 ) or feel free to give him a shout on MySpace.com ( http://www.myspace.com/jermainecrawford )
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and presently serves on the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. His column runs every Tuesday on BoxingScene.com. Please feel free to submit any comments or questions to Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com
