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Part 2: Clifton Powell: My Dad's Grandparents Were Slaves
Part 1: Clifton Powell on Losing His Mother to Suicide at Age 4: She Just Walked Into the Night
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In a heartfelt interview, Clifton Powell opened up about the humble beginnings he shared with fellow actor Angela Bassett. Growing up with financial hardships, Powell recalls a time when the two young artists had just $11 between them as they pursued their dreams in New York. Despite challenging family backgrounds and uncertain futures, they supported each other while waiting tables and dropping off headshots at acting offices. Powell’s journey from Catholic school plays to Emerson College and the prestigious Negro Ensemble Company put him alongside future stars like Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Reflecting on their early struggles, Powell emphasizes the importance of perseverance and community in the entertainment industry. “We were all poor and just trying to make it and believed in our dreams,” he said, encouraging aspiring actors never to quit despite hardships. Their story is a testament to the resilience behind celebrated careers.
