Afropolitan
The Wire Star Reveals Hollywood's Dark Secret: Only 3% of Actors Can Pay Their Bills
30 Apr 2025
Subscribe to @Afropolitan In this powerful episode of *The Afropolitan Podcast*, Gbenga Akinnagbe —best known as Chris Partlow from The Wire pulls back the curtain on what it *really* takes to survive Hollywood.From surviving the streets of D.C. to earning a wrestling scholarship that rerouted his life, Gbenga shares the raw truth about his journey: the odds of "making it," how only 3% of actors earn a livable income, and the emotional toll behind the spotlight.He opens up about:- Turning down roles to protect his integrity - Why he believes no state should have the power to take a life - The role therapy played in his healing as a Black man - His dream to play Black Panther—and his reaction when Chadwick Boseman was cast - Why *The Wire* never won awards, but won the people This is more than an actor’s story it’s a lesson in power, purpose, and reclaiming your narrative.Tap in if you care about- The business of acting - Legacy over fame - Criminal justice reform - Black storytelling on a global stage
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