Former child star Darius McCray is no stranger to learning his lines. He's been remembering scripts since making his acting debut at 10-years-old with guest turns on sitcoms like 'Amen' and 'What's Happening Now.'
But now the 33-year-old star, who America saw grow up as Eddie Winslow on the long-running sitcom 'Family Matters,' admits that the amount of material he has to learn for his new role on 'The Young and the Restless' has been quite a challenge.
"It's a lot of dialogue! I mean a lot," McCrary laughed, as we sat in the Cheesecake Factory at The Grove in Los Angeles. "But I'm so intrigued by the challenge. This is the hardest work I've ever done in my life. I really appreciate Kristoff St. John, who plays Neil Winters on the show, showing me the ropes. It's a blessing to work with such solid actors on 'The Young and the Restless.'"
The gig on 'The Young and the Restless' also reunites McCrary with a former 'Family Matters' co-star, actor Bryton McClure.
"It is really a pleasure to be re-linked with Br
yton. He played Little Richie on 'Family Matters.' I'm proud of him. He's a fine young man," McCrary said.
Loyal fans of 'The Young and the Restless' questioned the producers' decision to recast the role of Malcolm Winters, made famous by actor Shemar Moore. Some even took to message boards and fan sites to gripe about McCrary joining the daytime drama.
"Daytime fans are a different kind of audience," the actor smiled. "They are so passionate about these characters and these storylines and they let you know exactly how they feel. They weren't sure what to expect from me going in, but I think they like what I'm doing now and I hope I can continue to make the fans of the show happy."
The Walnut, Calif.-bred talent, who has also worked in films like 'Kingdom Come,' 'Transformers,' and 'A Good Man is Hard to Find,' said if its up to him, he'll be staying around the city of Genoa City, Wisconsin for a long time to come.
"I plan on sticking around for as long as they want me," he declared. "You know how it is on the soaps. You may fall off a mountain or slip into a coma at any moment, but as long as they want me to be there, I plan on staying. The staff and everyone have been so inviting, man. It's a really cool environment on set and I love it."
*****
For related stories, read also 'Road Warrior: Rapper Nelly Talks Custom Car, Talk Show Venture & Kelly Rowland Sequel'
& 'Crossing Over: Letoya Luckett Makes Feature Film Debut.'
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Black Soap Stars: An Intimate Look
Believe it or not, soap operas can be a good breeding ground for some of the greatest actors in Hollywood. From Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman to three-time Emmy Award winning thespian Cicely Tyson, many great black actors have cut their teeth on daytime dramas. While Shemar Moore, Victoria Rowell, Tichina Arnold, Tonya Pinkins, Debbi Morgan and Vivica A. Fox were beloved characters on popular serials, they've done well beyond them. Check them out.
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Kevin Mambo
'Guiding Light' (CBS)
This Zimbabwean-Canadian actor is best known for his role on 'Guiding Light' in the role of Marcus Williams. Williams is a saxophone player who loves his music and a beautiful singer Dahlia Creed, played by Sharon Leal. The actor arrived on the series in August of 1995 and picked up his first Emmy eight months later. He received another Emmy the following year. Mambo left the series three years later and appeared on various TV shows before returning to the world of soaps in 2003, when he took on the role of Dr. Jordan Kingsley on 'One Life to Live.' Between 2003 and 2005, he was a regular on 'Law & Order' franchise. Mambo is currently on Broadway in Lynn Nottage's play 'Ruined' and picked up a 2009 Pulitzer prize for drama.
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Victoria Rowell
'The Young and the Restless' (CBS)
Speculation continues about whether the Portland, Maine, native will come back to the role that she's played on daytime's number-one rated soap opera, 'The Young and the Restless,' for over 15 years. As Drucilla Winters, Rowell has occupied the longest-running African American female soap character in daytime television. She won 11 NAACP Image Awards. Rowell's first run as Drucilla was from 1990 to 1998. She briefly returned in 2000, and then returned on a regular basis from 2002 until early 2007. Rowell also played Dr. Amanda Bentley on the CBS series 'Diagnosis: Murder,' opposite Dick Van Dyke, and starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson in 2007's 'Home of the Brave.'
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Shemar Moore
'The Young and the Restless' (CBS)
A former fashion model, the Oakland native began portraying Malcolm Winters on 'The Young and the Restless' in 1994. Once estranged from his brother, Neil (played by Kristoff St. John), Malcolm morphed into one of the most beloved characters on the long-running soap opera -- even garnering a prestigious Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in 2000. Since leaving the soap opera, the hunky University of Santa Clara alum has hosted 'Soul Train' and starred in movies such as 'Motives,' 'The Seat Filler' and Tyler Perry's hit 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman.' He currently plays detective Derek Morgan on the CBS prime-time drama 'Criminal Minds.'
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Tamara Tunie
'As the World Turns' (CBS)
This McKeesport, Pa., native is one of the few actors who's able to hold a daytime and nighttime job at the same time. She plays lawyer Jessica Griffin McKechnie Harris on 'As the World Turns' and medical examiner Melinda Warner on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.' Tunie has also appeared in a number of theater productions and produced the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical 'Spring Awakening.'
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Charles Divins
'Passions' (NBC)
Prior to acting, Divins was a model who worked for Tommy Hilfiger and appeared in GQ, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Gear. When his attention turned to acting, he took on the role of Chad Harris-Crane on the soap 'Passions,' from 2002 to 2007. The Dallas native left the show when it moved from NBC to DirecTV.
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Cicely Tyson
'Guiding Light' (CBS)
A veteran of film and TV, this New York native had a stint on daytime television nearly 40 years ago. During 1966, Tyson also had a recurring role in the daytime soap opera, 'Guiding Light,' which ended its run this month after 72 years. Her character's name was Martha Frazier. Tyson soon went on star in 1972's 'Sounder,' for which she was nominated for an Oscar for best actress. After working with Tyler Perry in 2005's 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' and 'Madea's Family Reunion,' Perry mention her name as part of his dream cast for his film adaptation of 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.'
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Darnell Williams
'All My Children' (ABC)
The London actor was one-half of the first African American supercouple on 'All My Children' (along with Debbie Morgan) for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard, from 1981 to 1988. Before he left the show, Williams won two Emmys. He returned to the soaps as Jesse's look-alike, Jacob Foster, on 'Loving' and 'The City.' In May 2007, Williams joined the cast of 'Guiding Light' in the recurring role of the villainous Griggs. After a 20-year absence, he returned to the role of Jesse on 'Children' in 2008.
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Vivica A. Fox
'Generations' (NBC)
Although we've seen the South Bend, Ind., actress make it big in roles in 'Independence Day,' 'Set it Off,' and 'Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2,' many may remember that she headline the first daytime black soap opera, 'Generations,' when it aired on NBC from 1989 to1991. She played Maya Reubens, opposite Debbie Morgan and Kristoff St. John. Fox later had roles on 'Days of Our Lives,' and 'The Young and the Restless.' In September 2007, she appeared in the sixth season of HBO's 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' as the mother of a family displaced by a hurricane and taken in by Larry and Cheryl. Fox last hosted her own VH1 reality series, titled 'Glam God,' in 2008.
Black Actors & Their Daytime Jobs
Debbie Morgan
'All My Children' (ABC)
In addition to appearing in films such as 'Eve's Bayou' and 'Love and Basketball,' the Dunn, N.C., actress is best known for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on the ABC soap opera 'All My Children.' Her role on the show during the '80s was as one-half of the first African American supercouple on the American soap opera (along with Darnell Williams). In 1989, Morgan, in a tie with Santa Barbara actress Nancy Lee Grahn, won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series. After leaving 'Children,' she had roles on NBC's 'Generations' and ABC's 'Loving' before returning in 2008 to play Angie again on 'Children.'
Comments: (13)
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By: "DimePiece" on 2/04/2010 10:49AM
I am MAD YALL! WHY? Darius is not a STUD! The guy looks creepy and in my opinion can't act at all! Lookin like Eddie Munster? I really thought, the REAL MALCOM was suppose to come back on the show. You know who I'm talkin about, Shemar Moore? I am so DISSAPOINTED! I feel a strong disconnect and he looks so out of place and out of touch on what's going on? I really hope that he doesn't stay on the show for long. Look, can nobody ever take the place of Maclcom, you feel me? The real Malcom showed more passion, was a natural, had good character,played the part oh so well, and was a FINE LOOKIN BROTHA! I will never forget the time I met, it was 2 times and the second time he KISSED MY HAND YALL with his fine azz self! Every time this Darius comes on, I have to turn the channel. Oh, lawd Y&R you done did it now! And another thing, Y&R need to speed up the pace so that everybody will find out the REAL TRUTH about Sharon's baby being alive. I can't take it no much longer? They are dragin this out to the MAX! I want to see the truth revealed within a week Y&R! :-)
Y&R will always be my #1 Soap
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By: Jay on 2/04/2010 10:53AM
Genoa City Wisconsin is not a fictional city. Although the Genoa City in The Young and The Restless may be much bigger than the real Genoa City, Genoa city does exist and is a small town just north of the Illinois Border and Richmond Illinois.
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By: meme on 2/04/2010 11:18AM
you want me rocky
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By: Muscleman on 2/04/2010 11:31AM
The guy needs to take the marbles outta his mouth first off, but hopefully he will work his way into the character. Shemar Moore is a tough act to follow, so throw the guy some slack. And "DimePiece", take a sedative!
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By: BabyGirl on 2/04/2010 11:31AM
What can I say, this actor is just wrong, wrong, wrong for the part of Malcolm. The real Malcolm excuded charm, charisma and sex appeal, none of which this actor has enough of to display. Malcolm's physical characteristics were a huge part of the role. I am so waiting for a recast. However, until then, I just FF'd all of his scenes.
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By: shortnsweet on 2/04/2010 11:35AM
I completely agree with you about Darius! I'm sorry, but he isn't a very attractive man (in my opinion)...and let's face it, aren't soap stars SUPPOSED to be attractive people?? I haven't gone so far as to turn the channel, but I do "look away" when he comes on the screen. He's just hard to look at for me! I don't HAVE to have Shemar back, but come on Y&R...let's find another Malcolm, please!
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By: K43 on 2/04/2010 11:48AM
I agree Rocky-calm yo ass down Dimepiece-You act like this will change your life or history or something DAMN. Although he is not the best actor or best looking a job is a job, Which you probably don"t have acting like this.I'm not even a soap fan, to me it's the same old storylines: Rich MF"s with problems just like the poor,some old manipulitive person that's 1000 yrs old running and ruining other lives they don"t like,babies that grow up in less than a year,long lost relatives and siblings come out of nowhere..whoo I could go on, but i have a life to get back to.
Good luck.
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By: wolfy on 2/04/2010 12:17PM
"Soap STUD???"
While Darius McCrary has taken the place of a MAJOR soap stud (namely Shemar Moore) in the part of Malcolm Winters on Y&R, there's no way he's considered a "soap stud" by the fans of the show. In fact, he's playing the part more like a thug from the 'hood rather than the educated, charming, smooth, sexy male that Malcolm was on the show. When my 17-year-old comes in and asks "Who the heck is THAT?" and is told it's the nuMalcolm, then watches for a few minutes and says, "There's no way that's Malcolm. Malcolm was always smiling and nice," then I KNOW this guy is wrong, wrong, WRONG for the part. The suits at Sony are trying to save money by not letting Shemar Moore work two jobs at the same time and hiring someone who is completely wrong for the part. If McCrary can do a complete 180 and change how he's playing Malcolm, then maybe, just maybe, he'd be accepted by the fans. Otherwise, please get someone else to play this part!
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By: Ml on 2/04/2010 12:45PM
Face it dude looks like a cross between Herman Monster and a dinosaur. So for him to play anything in relation to a "stud". is almost laughable. I do not watch the Young & the Restless so him getting this role is doing no harm to me. I am wondering if he would have any love scenes, it would be hard to imagine what woman would want to play his love interest.
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By: Beckw on 2/04/2010 1:18PM
Darius a STUD??? OMG... how STUPID IS THAT?! The guy doesn't LOOK that part.. ACT the part or SOUND the part! What was CBS thinking when they hired this nobody? Well, maybe he works CHEAP.. but he doesn't fill the shoes of SHEMAR MOORE! Not even close.. in fact he doesn't even RESEMBLE Malcolm in any way, shape or form! He is so black and ugly.. more like a "gangsta" type or "rappa".. doesn't fit in the Winters family! And the way he talks.. puleeezeee! Yuk.. "street talk" is not fit for Y&R. He can't even fake the personality of Malcolm. I cringe every time he's on the screen. No eye candy here folks.. Maybe Shemar wasn't available for a comeback, but.. this Darius guy has got to GO!
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