Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs has blessed many people in the film industry as a veteran who prides himself on consistency.
If it wasn’t for roles such as Charles in “Claudine” or Cochise in “Cooley High”, we wouldn’t experience the greatness of Jacobs on the big screen.
Jacobs, 67, spoke with us about his roots in acting and how he was blessed to be the chosen one in a perfect position to pursue his dream.
“It’s something I love. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid since I can remember. When I was in elementary school for some reason, they used to always put me in plays and I was always getting the lead in Peter and the Wolf and all those dizzy plays I did.”
Black film was detrimental in the post Civil Rights Movement era known as “Blaxploitation” birthing stars like Fred Williamson, Pam Grier and more.
However, kids today wouldn’t understand how Black women used their skills to showcase Black excellence in the 1970s embracing self-love and reliance.
The legendary and late Diahann Carroll who passed away in 2019 was instrumental as a friend and supporter of Jacobs work as an actress.
Jacobs described Carroll as a respectable woman even when she would use her “momma” tactics on him as if it was Claudine part two.
“I would take her out to lunch sometimes we get together or whatever and this and that. Until them last moments (before Carroll’s passing) she still thought she was my mother. Sometimes she would call me up and giving me advice about stuff. I’ll say Diahann…I raised kids you know and she’d be like be quiet,” Jacobs said while laughing. “We went out and she had one glass…she’d be the Diahann we know. She would say you know this business is a difficult thing to be in. Then she’d have her second glass of wine and she says…you know sometimes I really don’t get this business. By third glass she’d say man these mother f******.”
At 14-years-old, Jacobs started to get in tune with the business side of things as he transitioned over to background work and plays at public theaters in New York. One thing Jacobs understand is when the dream seems dim…remind yourself that quitting isn’t an option unless you give in.
“There’s no such thing as quitting. The only thing that’ll keep you going is to believe in your own powers and that’s your ability go forward. We know where B.S******, we know our limitation so admit that to yourself. You won’t solve em all today. But chill out and give yourself a chance to get there.”
Jacobs is currently starring in a TV series entitled A House Divided on AllBLK network.
In a world with a lot of actors, Jacobs without question is one of the all-time greats and his contributions to film is cemented.
