Riviera Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, CA
January 14, 2009

Story and photography by Pat Krause

I had an interview Wed, Jan. 14, 2009, at the Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Spa with the cast of the movie, “The Least Among You” who were in town for the Palm Springs International Film Festival Veteran actor Lou Gossett Jr. has a major role in this film.

This is a true-life story about a young black man, Richard Kelly, played by Cedric Sanders,, who was forced to attend a seminary college against his will. He was extremely intelligent and was used in many underlying ways at college. Gossett mentors him in the film. His pride and integrity cause him many problems but he ultimately makes the right choices.

Gossett was easy to interview. He was very forthcoming with answers to all of my questions. Gossett started on Broadway at the age of 16. He auditioned and beat out 400 other actors for that role. That is where he found his love for acting.

He went to college on a sports scholarship but was injured. So he turned his attention to acting and took drama classes in college.

Most of his early acting years were spent on the Broadway stage. He mentioned he also sang and danced during the “hootenanny” folk music days. He was involved with an impressive number of famous people in those early years including Sammy Davis Jr.; Peter, Paul and Mary and Bob Dylan to name just a few. One of the Broadway plays he was in lasted five-and-a-half years.

I asked him why so many actors turn to directing and producing. He said it is because they need to have control of their work. If he has an idea in your head and wants it to come out the same way as he see it in his mind, the only way to control that is by directing. Directing, producing and writing are a natural progression for actors. He has also done a little writing and has recently written some screenplays. He said to be an actor you must learn all aspects of the business. Most people know little of the preparation involved in acting. For one of his movie roles, he spent 30 days at a Marine base. He said an actor must use every available option to prepare to play a character. He joked that directing is better than working.

I asked him what he does for fun. He says he doesn't have enough time to play with his grandchildren. That is his first love. He loves also go to basketball games. He used to emcee games and would travel with them. He became their “good luck charm” when the team won 11 straight games in a row. They rewarded him a ring with his name on it.

But work always comes first with him. He has a new movie that will be out in a couple months called "Shannon’s Rainbow."

Sanders is another cast member I was able to interview. He shared a similar event with Gossett, as they both won a role after auditioning with 400 other actors. He auditioned for a role at the age of 8 with the help of his father. His dad took all the kids and rented a taxi to get him to the audition where he got the part in the “Wizard of Oz” play. He got the bug for acting then and has been acting professionally for three years.

Director Mark Young saw Sanders in a play in Los Angles, auditioned him and cast him for the role of Richard Kelly. Sanders said he learned so much from Gossett and William DeVane, who portrays Alan Beckett in the movie, by observing them. Both men are very professional in their work and were helpful in the process making of the film. He credits his teacher Anthony Abeson as his mentor. He still contacts him by e-mail, phone and in person when he is in New York.

Another cast member, Cory Hardrict, played the good tough guy Roscoe in this film. He said felt lucky to have been able to be in a movie with two such great talents.

He also plays Duke in the current No. 1 movie “Gran Torino” starring Clint Eastwood. Hardrict sayshe was honored to be in two scenes with Eastwood. He had to audition twice for that role. He is a young man who looks years younger than his actual age.

Local actor DeVane plays the college head who creates a great deal of trouble for this young student. I was unable to interview him as he had other commitments. An extremely versatile actor, DeVane is able to go from good guy to bad guy and anything in between.

I watched the film later in the day and was entertained and thought it was extremely well done. It ran the gamut of emotions and life experiences for this young man. A true story can be so uplifting. First-time director Young did an excellent job on this film. Another great name in this film who was not present was Lauren Holly who plays a teacher tormented by past events.

Special thanks go to the management and staff of the Riviera Resort & Spa for their help in this interview.

For more information about the Riviera Resort & Spa, click here.

For more information about the Palm Springs International Film Festival, click here.

For more information about “The Least Among You,” click here.

For more information about “Shannon’s Rainbow,” click here.

For more information about Lou Gossett, Jr., click here.

For more information about Cedric Sanders , click here.

For more Pat Krause pictures of her interview with Lou Gossett, Jr., click here