Filed under: Interviews
2010 is shaping up to be a good year for Lamman Rucker. Not only has the Pittsburgh, PA native starred in Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married Too?,' but he acted in the off-Broadway play, 'Black Angels Over Tuskegee,' while on break from his TV gig, 'Meet The Browns.'
Rucker's latest film, 'N-Secure' is hitting theaters on Oct. 15. The film stars Cordell Moore, Essence Atkins, Tempestt Bledsoe, Denise Boutte, Elise Neal, Rick Ravanello, Thomas Miles, Toni Trucks, Steve Conn, Caryn Ward, Cordell Moore, Dianne Sullivan and BerNadette Stanis.
This film sheds light on a man's downfall from the pinnacles of success into the depths of his damaged character. His insecurities lead him into a series of troubled romantic relationships and eventually a web of events that include betrayal and murder. Rucker plays Isaac Roberts, a musician and fiance to Bledsoe's character.
Black Voices caught up with Rucker recently at the Atlanta premiere of the film as he spoke about working with such a gifted cast.
Lamman Rucker: It sounded like a cool script. I thought it would be interesting to shoot in Memphis, TN. You also don't see a lot of scripts of this nature with this content that is filled with an African American cast. We usually get cast in a romantic comedy or a 'hood love story. Unfortunately, we start to get stuck in this category. I thought this was something that offered some effect and some stunt work and at the same time still deal with relationship dynamics and similar content.
You seem to go from films, to theater, and to television. How wonderful is it to keep working steadily?
LR: It's always a wonderful experience to keep working. Prior to working with Tyler, I was keeping it moving. Most people didn't know about my work until Tyler exposed me through his films. I was always in constant motion. Everything I'm doing now is really what I've always done. We shot this film nearly three years ago. Things take time going through the production process, post-production process, and marketing process. Prior to doing Tyler's films, I was working off-Broadway in the theater in New York. I was working in daytime soaps as a contract regular, (playing attorney T. Marshall Travers on the CBS now-cancelled soap opera 'As the World Turns,' opposite Tamara Tunie). I also did some work on sitcoms. I must say that the work that Mr. Perry has given me has definitely opened up a lot of new windows for me.
What are you working on now?
LR: Nothing at the moment. I come in and out the off-Broadway play, 'Black Angels Over Tuskegee.' We are looking to take that on tour next year. I just started production on 'Meet The Browns,' but a lot of my time is spent on the community. I have a bath and body line that I'm getting ready to launch. It's called 'Forplai.' It's all natural bath and body signature line that's for men and women. I have a business degree and all these things are just a part of me and who I am and what I would be doing if I wasn't on the red carpet. I would probably be working on another degree. I have a Masters and a technology degree already. When I'm not in film or television, my wheels are spinning full time.
Would you come back to do a third 'Married' film with Tyler if he asked?
LR: Of course. I think he has a wonderful opportunity to create a franchise that could never go out of style. We're talking about life, love, relationships, and family and just the natural trials and tribulations of life that everybody understands.