An in-depth exclusive conversation with CLIFTON DAVIS talking his early beginnings as a broadcast television engineer to acting in film, tv, and on stage, to his vocation as a Baptist minister and the moral grounding it gives him with the acting roles he takes, and why A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL spoke to him.
A man of many talents, CLIFTON DAVIS has done everything from broadcast television engineer for ABC to producing “Made in America” celebrations for the City of Philadelphia to acting in film, television, and stage, to his core “work” as a Baptist minister. He has graced our television screens for decades starting in the 1970’s with starring roles in long-running series like That’s My Mama and Amen, and most recently in Madam Secretary and Godfather of Harlem, as well as a multiplicity of television one-offs and carefully selected roles in films like Any Given Sunday. A Baptist minister, Clifton’s acting choices have always been based upon his faith and his own moral compass which has now led him to his most recent role as Deputy Chief Walker in writer/director Aimee Long’s powerful new film, A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL.
A story that could have been lifted from the headlines of today, although inspired by an actual incident, A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL was the result of a lesser-known police shooting that involved the Asian community many years before George Floyd and Black Lives Matter brought issues of black, white, and brown police shootings and brutality to the forefront. Always seemingly left out of the conversation, Aimee Long chose to rectify that with A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL, the story of an accidental shooting of an innocent Black man in Brooklyn by a Chinese-American police officer. Starring Kenny Leu as rookie Officer Mike Tan, Long gives us a perspective we haven’t previously seen on screen or in real-life headlines as we see not only what happens to Tan and his own mindset, but the collateral damage to his family and friends. Navigating myriad issues of race, interracial relationships, media, police Internal Affairs, the justice system, culture clashes and deep-rooted cultural beliefs, thanks to riveting honest performances from not only Kenny Leu, but Ciara Renee, Tzi Ma, Fiona Fu, Clifton Davis, Lynn Chen, and Dan Lauria, our eyes and minds are opened to further discussion and a bigger picture.
Speaking with CLIFTON DAVIS while touring the country in Wicked reprising his legendary role of “Doctor Dillamond” for the first time in more than a decade, we discussed not only his most recognized performances but those of importance to him including that as Deputy Chief Walker in A SHOT THROUGH THE WALL. As you listen to Clifton, you quickly learn just how principled he is and how important his faith is and the impact it has had on the roles he has taken, and the direction the television and film industry has gone over the years. Passionate, kind, open, and honest, CLIFTON DAVIS is a true treasure.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview January 21, 2022
