Clifton Powell: Veteran Black Actor Gives Revealing Interview

Published September 10, 2025 at 5:07 AM EDT

Veteran black actor Clifton Powell pulls no punches in revealing interview

LOS ANGELES, CA — Clifton Powell (69) has appeared in more than one hundred films, beginning in the 1980s. His credits include Menace II Society (1993), Dead Presidents (1995), Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998), Rush Hour (1998), Next Friday (2000), and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next, Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004), and Ray (2004).

Powell recently sat down to discuss his career in a revealing interview with The Art of Dialogue podcast on YouTube. In a series of video clips, Powell talks about turning down gay roles, racism on Hollywood sets, accusations of sexual harrasment and his beef with director Spike Lee. He also explains why being "in the middle" is the best spot for an actor.