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Part 8: Clifton Powell: I Walked Out on TV Role Playing "The Neighborhood Coon"
Part 1: Clifton Powell on Losing His Mother to Suicide at Age 4: She Just Walked Into the Night
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Actor Clifton Powell opens up about his challenging experience playing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Disney TV movie *Selma*. Despite booking the role thanks to director Charles Burnett, Powell revealed Disney was unhappy with his portrayal, feeling it was "too slow" and "deliberate," traits true to King’s real-life speech patterns. Powell recounts standing his ground, famously telling Burnett, "I don't give a f*** about Disney," emphasizing his commitment to authenticity over corporate pressure.
The production faced creative conflicts, with Burnett filming three versions of key scenes—including Powell’s interpretation and the "Disney way." Ultimately, the film was pushed aside, preempted for baseball coverage, limiting its impact. Powell also touched on Hollywood’s historic colorism and typecasting issues but remains hopeful about progress. Reflecting on his career, Powell stresses the importance of truthfulness and resilience in the industry, refusing to be intimidated by studios or norms to honor the legacies he portrays.
