The native born New Jersian came to Los Angeles with a dream like all actors do, but it was one day at work at Sony Pictures when actor Denzel Washington changed Derek’s life for ever. It was one memorable afternoon’s at the Studio Emporium, a gift shop on the Sony lot where Luke was working his day job, and ever since then Luke has been making waves. Washington was so impressed with Luke that he personally came to tell him that he would be playing the lead role in Antwone Fisher. Can you believe the story of how Luke was discovered by Denzel Washington in the gift store is still being told to visitors as they take the Sony Studio tour? But it was Derek That told me to always dream big and when you do things will start to take shape.
In Antwone Fisher, Derek Luke became a memorable face on screen, then in Friday Night Lights he touched your heart as Boobie Miles. Again Derek came back with another amazing performance in Glory Road, as Bobby Joe Hill and then he impressed us with his performance in Spike Lee’s, Miracle at St. Anna as the 2nd Staff Sergeant Aubrey Stamps, replacing Wesley Snipes. But it was this year that Derek hit us the hardest with his memorable preface as Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs in the biopic Notorious, alongside Jamal ‘Gravy’ Woolard as The Notorious B.I.G., and Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace.
Derek most recent endeavor is his version of Disneyland, working along side with the magnificent Tyler Perry in Madea Goes to Jail.
He is a natural true talent, and when you see him in Madea Goes to Jail you’ll know what we are talking about. There is one scene in Madea, which is very heartbreaking and touching moment. Derek is a master at his craft and with the help of Perry, he was able to deliver a poignant moment in Madea, it helps set the pace of the film. Derek has really made a name for himself, from his humble beginnings on Kings and Queens and you probably don’t remember but he was an Orderly on one episode. It has only been 10 years for Derek’s movie career, thus far, but is going strong and big things are in this talented mans future, we know it.
I was able to have a brief moment with astonishing individual, better known as Derek Luke, one of the most humble and down to earth guys you’d ever meet.
To read more of this Derek Luke’s interview click HERE or got to VASORICH.com
