 |
Actor John Beasley will speak in the lower level of the Storz Pavilion today as part of the annual UNMC/The Nebraska Medical Center Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration. |
Beasley’s speech, which is sponsored by UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center, will be in the Storz Pavilion in the lower level of Clarkson Tower.
The annual address is regularly one of the city’s best-attended events on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, the event is free and open to the public and includes free lunch and refreshments for the first 300 people.
Beasley was born in Omaha and first caught the “acting bug” after an oral presentation of a dramatic text. He continued to perform in high school, college and in local community theaters. But he delayed his dream of becoming a professional actor to raise his sons.
When his youngest son began college, Beasley pursued his goal of becoming a professional actor at the age of 45.
Beasley quickly won a dream job when he was cast alongside Oprah Winfrey in the television show, “Brewster Place.” Since then, he has had recurring TV appearances on “CSI,” “The Pretenders,” “Millennium,” “Early Edition,” “EZ Streets” and “Everwood.”
Several of his major motion picture credits include:
- “The Sum of All Fears” (2002) with James Cromwell and Morgan Freeman;
- “The Apostle” (1997) with Robert Duvall;
- “Crazy in Alabama” (1999) with director Antonio Banderas; and
- Losing Isaiah” (1995) with Jessica Lange and Halle Berry.
Beasley’s desire to share his passion for theater with underserved children and adults led him to found the John Beasley Theater and Workshop in 2002.
Through the organization, Beasley teaches his craft to others and constantly searches for fresh talent. He also recruits other nationally known actors to perform in his productions. The theater annually produces several plays that focus on the African American experience.
A well-sought after speaker, Beasley has titled his Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech, “The Man and His Life.”