Simply put, Charles Dutton is an acting genius. Dutton is so dedicated to perfecting his craft that no matter what the stakes, he stays committed to artistic perfection. Although he’s best remembered for starring as Roc on the hit television show of the same name, Dutton has actually starred in over 40 films for television and the silver screen. With his focus pinpointed on his craft and his new movie, The Honeydripper, Dutton stands tall above the rest while he strives to expose his heart to those who follow his work.
What most people don’t understand about Dutton is that he is hell-bent on maintaining his free artistic spirit. “I never join anything,” he explains. “I like my artistic independence. I’m not a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent, for that matter. I don’t belong to any organization because of that independence that I enjoy. If something comes out of my mouth that isn’t politically correct, then I don’t give a damn, because that’s how I feel, and most people can’t handle that.”
Aside from his desire to maintain that individuality, Dutton also feels a sense of urgency to help the black community. “At the stage this country is in and the position of our people, we need everybody: the older generation and the younger generation to recommit themselves to the struggle,” Dutton says. “We’ve got to find that same kind of fervor, passion and verve that we had in the ‘60s when there used to be hundreds of thousands of people in the street[s] protesting and demonstrating for something. It’s not about giving back anymore; it’s about taking back.”
