(upbeat hip-hop music)
- [Narrator] There are some artists
that apply pressure 24/7, 365,
consistently proving why they're deserving of our attention.
Their talent might keep us grooving on the dance floor,
smiling at the big screen,
or enjoying them from our front row seats
while they positively impact pop culture.
No matter where they are, these artists bless us
with their gift and get us right.
(upbeat hip-hop music)
- When I got the part, I was like,
"Okay, I'm in this movie, and who else is in this movie?
Some guy named Cuba Gooding Jr.,
some dude named Larry Fishburne."
All these people, Ice Cube was a rapper, he was with NWA.
I think he just broke off
on his first solo album at the time.
I thought, "Well, no one's going to see this movie."
Then the movie just took off.
- [Narrator] It's been nearly thirty years
since Morris Chestnut's breakout role as Ricky
in the hood hit, Boyz N The Hood.
The film's portrayal of racial inequality in America
still remains culturally impactful today.
By exploring a wide range of real world and relevant themes,
the movie changed perceptions
about the black experience in America.
Morris's portrayal of Rickey played a major part
in telling this powerful story
while planting a seed for a successful career.
- Wow, I think there's so many messages
to get from a movie like Boyz N The Hood,
but I think we've came a long way
as a society since that film.
I think what happened was, when that film first came out,
a lot of people across the country and across the world
really didn't know South Central, the inner city,
so it's kind of like their peek into the inner city
without actually having to go to the inner city.
Some of that stuff does still exist today.
- [Narrator] Chestnut's major role in 1999's
romantic comedy, The Best Man,
had the actor starring alongside Taye Diggs.
He exhibited his range playing the groom,
a man who seemingly discovers his best man
once slept with his bride-to-be.
The film earned rave reviews for its ensemble cast,
including Nia Long and Sanaa Lathan.
Variety reviewers stated that the actor delivers
a strong and touching rendition of a
jealously aggressive, yet Bible-reading guy,
coerced to examine his double-standard ethics,
which is very similar to Morris's real life.
He is an ex-football player and a devout Christian,
growing up in the Baptist church.
Chestnut's fanbase grew, as Morris continued
to stretch and rise to the occasion
with a ride range of roles and characters
on big and small screens.
In 2015, Morris was cast as the lead character,
Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr,
a private pathologist for Fox's Rosewood.
He is quoted saying, "When you are the lead of a show,
you've got so much dialogue you need to prepare for,
and then there are things like casting choice
or scene structure that is important to me.
As an actor, I try to have input on certain things.
At the end of the day, when you are the title character
of the show, people will associate Rosewood with me."
- I'm playing a private pathologist,
but he's cheated death to a certain extent.
- Yeah - He was born
very premature, he has a lot of health issues,
and he can die at any moment, so he lives every day
to the fullest, and he likes to spread optimism to people.
He has a lot of wit, he has a lot of humor,
and he likes to have fun.
- [Narrator] Did y'all know that the Twitterverse
created a Morris Chestnut Day?
Well, they proclaimed a Morris Chestnut Appreciation Day.
Women admire Morris Chestnut's looks,
making him a trending topic.
A Twitter user shared her frustration
in the picking of an attractive black man, saying,
"Hard men are hard to find."
Further stating, "They don't make men this fine anymore,
not at brunch, church, or the club,"
while sharing one of her favorite pics of the popular actor.
The Twitter timeline went crazy while other women joined in
on the appreciation of the star.
Morris has been gracing our film and TV screens
for over 31 years, with his memorable roles in such films as
Girls Trip, When the Bough Breaks, The Perfect Guy,
The Call with Halle Berry, and Fox's Our Kind of People.
His mere presence demands our attention,
each role has more depth and appeal.
He remains a staple in the world of entertainment,
and we look forward to continuing
to see him on the big screen.
Go Morris!
(upbeat hip-hop music)