Will Smith finally pays tribute to Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air's 'Uncle Phil'

James Avery (centre, back) with his 'Fresh Prince' co-stars. Photo: Getty

Will Smith was told off on twitter by fans because he did not make any comments following James Avery's death, , aka 'Uncle Phil'. Now, Will has made a comment which has been shared almost 58,000 times!

 

On his Facebook page Will posted this statement on Sunday:

"Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery. Every young man needs an Uncle
Phil. Rest in Peace.

"This photo was the last time we were together"

Will Smith posted this picture on his Facebook page. Photo:Facebook

The actor, James Avery one of the greatest actors I have ever known, died in Glendale, California, last week following complications from open heart surgery. Avery grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and served in the navy in Vietnam in the late 1960s. After returning to the States, he settled in California and studied drama and literature at the University of California at San Diego.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and stepson, Kevin Waters.

RIP.

Steve McQueen and Chiwetel Ejiofor make waves in new slavery blockbuster movie

Steve McQueen

I must say that I have never ever heard of Steve McQueen but surely Chiwetel Ejiofor is a popular actor. Well, let me introduce these two talented men who are causing the big wigs in Los Angeles to look up.

Steve McQueen has just premiered his latest film, 12 Years A Slave in the US. The film is an unflinching look at the human brutality and suffering which took place during the period of slavery in America. Top celebrities from all over the world from Madonna to Brad Pitt who is also an actor in the film graced the event.  

12 Years a Slave: watch the trailer for Steve McQueen's critically acclaimed drama
 

So who is Steve McQueen?

McQueen was born in 1969 to Granadian parents. He grew up in Ealing in London, UK. According to a recent interview in the Guardian, he was discriminated against for his colour and for a medical disability called dyslexia while in primary school. He attended Chelsea School of Art and the Goldsmiths University where he received a BA(Hons) Fine Art degree.

Despite these challenges, he went on to achieve amazing results.

In 1999, he won the Turner prize with a video installation. McQueen won a Bafta in 2008 for his first feature film, Hunger. In 2011, he was awarded an OBE and a CBE. Shame, his second movie took more than £10m at the box office. McQueen shot his latest movie in just 35 days, with one camera and a budget of about £8m.

Even before the film has opened in Britain, 12 Years A Slave has already earned $40m (£25m) in US ticket sales, multiple Golden Globe nominations and a likely Academy Award and the possibility that McQueen would become the first black feature film director to win an Oscar.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor was born in East London, UK, went to school at Dulwich College and joined the National Youth Theater. His first film debut was in the television film Deadly Voyage in 1996. He was only 19 when he played the role of Interpreter James Covey in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad

His parent’s met as teenagers in Enugu city, Nigeria and fled to London during the Biafran war in the late 60’s.

McQueen's film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as the historical figure Solomon Northup, a New Yorker sold into slavery on the plantations of Louisiana in 1841 after being kidnapped in Washington DC.

These are two men of African origin who have successful made it through despite the challenges of segregation, racism, stereotyping and disability. If they can do it, so can you. No one has an excuse!

How to forgive others completely

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Buddah

How do I forgive all the nasty people in my life?

I was listening to a preacher on the radio talk about forgiveness and that got me thinking. It made me think of things that could happen if I didn't forgive people. And I had a lot of people to forgive trust me. I had heard about how you had to forgive people 7 times 49

8 Ways to lower your blood pressure without taking drugs

Known as the silent killer, high blood pressure is one of the most common diseases of black people. While most people may not even know they have it until something alarming happens, others take to drugs to control it. Here are ways to lower blood pressure

I am reading 'Americanah' by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie

I went to the library of the school where I do some work in London looking for something to inspire me for my next art project. Immediately, the librarian, Sarah who is my friend saw me and called me

Prayer, Declarations and Affirmations for 2014

In 2014, soar like the eagle

Happy New Year to you!

2014 is here at last! I looked backed at 2013 and thought how did it go so fast...

I hope you are ready to go to the next level in your life this year. What you will achieve this year will be the talk of the town if you plan the year well, pray and act with purpose. Here are some prayers and affirmations to put you in the right frame of mind as the year begins.

I am the head and not the tail.