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SHOWTIME's Hit Series 'Soul Food' Premieres Fifth and Final Season Wednesday, February 25, 2004.
NEW
YORK, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ - SOUL FOOD, entering its fifth and final season
on Wednesday, February 25 at 10:00 PM (ET/PT), has been a hit with critics
and fans alike. Honored with numerous awards, the show also has the distinction
of being the longest-running African-American drama on television and
one of Showtime's most popular series. This year, for the second time
in a row, SOUL FOOD was named "Outstanding Drama Series" at
the 2003 NAACP Image Awards, and cast member Vanessa Williams was named
"Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series."
Returning members of the award-winning cast include Nicole Ari Parker
("Remember the Titans," "Boogie Nights," "Brown
Sugar"), Malinda Williams ("The Wood"), Vanessa Williams
("Melrose Place," "New Jack City"), Rockmond Dunbar
("Earth 2," "The Practice"), Darrin DeWitt Henson
("Longshot") and Aaron Meeks (SHOWTIME'S A STORM IN SUMMER).
Boris Kodjoe, a series regular for three years, will be making two guest
appearances in the role of Damon, love interest to Nicole Ari Parker's
character Teri.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown ("The Dirty Dozen") will appear in a multi-episode arc in season five as an FBI agent who pressures ex-con Lem (Darrin DeWitt Henson) to spy on his business partner. Also making guest appearances will be Hill Harper ("The Handler," "City of Angels") as Kenny's (Dunbar) brother Kelvin Chadway, Vondie Curtis Hall ("Chicago Hope") as a new love interest for Teri, Diahann Carroll reprising her role as 'Aunt Ruthie,' and Mario Van Peebles.
A dramatic series based on the 1997 hit film of the same name, SOUL FOOD premiered on Showtime in June 2000. SOUL FOOD is a Waterwalk Production, Edmonds Entertainment and State Street Pictures production in association with Paramount Network Television. Season five of SOUL FOOD is executive produced by Tracey Edmonds, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, George Tillman, Jr., Robert Teitel, Kathleen-McGhee Anderson and Salim Akil.
Showtime Networks Inc, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD®, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.
SYNOPSIS
Season five begins with Ahmad (AARON MEEKS) under arrest for robbery. When he explains to the police that he was just trying to help an old woman and that he didn't rob her, the police hold him in a jail cell for the day. Scared, humiliated and tired, Ahmad wants to put this thing behind him, but it will not go away. The reaction of his so-called friends, the treatment by law enforcement and the assumption of guilt based on his skin color makes Ahmad doubt that doing the right thing is really the thing to do. Encouraged by his father, Kenny (ROCKMOND DUNBAR), but disillusioned by his experience, a new, more opinionated Ahmad begins to emerge. His perspective on the world changes.
Lem (DARRIN DeWITT HENSON) is caught between a rock and a hard place, when FBI agent Willie White (JIM BROWN) asks him to turn on his mentor Baron Marks (MICHAEL WARREN). Willie makes it clear that he has one mission - to take down the notorious Baron Marks. Faced with the dilemma of choosing between the FBI and the father he never had, Lem's decision is made all the more difficult when Willie reveals that he has evidence of Lem's involvement with the Blaylock murder. If Lem doesn't agree to inform on his mentor, it could easily mean Lem spending time behind bars. When Bird (MALINDA WILLIAMS), finds an envelope full of money, issues of street life start to spill out at home. The weight from all sides leads Lem to juggle his troubles with Bird, Baron and Willie, while pondering the future of his family and his freedom.
Maxine (VANESSA WILLIAMS) and Bird find out Teri (NICOLE ARI PARKER) has slept with former client Eric Davis (LAZ ALONSO). While Maxine is taken aback by Teri's behavior, Bird is happy to see that her sister's gotten her groove back. Maxine and Teri get into an argument about her one-night stand, leaving Teri at odds with Maxine.
At work, her nemesis, Doug Parelli (C. DAVID JOHNSON), congratulates her on convincing Davis to stay with the firm and transferring even more of his business to them. Irritated, Teri thinks that Davis changed his mind purely because they had sex. When Parelli infers that she could lose her position at the firm for sleeping with a client, Teri insists that she didn't sleep with him. Teri later confronts Davis, but it is not the issue that is causing her deep pain. It is her breakup with Damon and pressures at work that force Teri to seek refuge in her family.
BIOGRAPHIES
NICOLE ARI PARKER ("Teri")
NICOLE ARI PARKER has displayed her acting range in several blockbuster and independent films. She has starred opposite Denzel Washington in "Remember the Titans" and Martin Lawrence in "Blue Streak." She also starred in Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights" and played the lead in Reggie Blythewood's movie "Dancing in September." Her independent film credits include "200 Cigarettes," Shooting Gallery's "Loving Jezebel," "Subway Stories," and "The Adventures of Sebastian Cole," which was a winner at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. In the fall of 2002, Parker starred in Fox Searchlight's "Brown Sugar," playing the role of 'Reese' opposite Taye Diggs.
Parker's theater background includes performances in the off-Broadway productions of "Chicago," "House of Lear" and "Romeo and Juliet." She also appeared in the made-for-television movies The Wonderful World of Disney's "The Loretta Claiborne Story," "Exiled" and "Mind Prey."
Growing up Parker always knew she wanted to be an actress. At the age of 17, she won Best Actress in the State of Maryland High School Competition. She began to pursue her dream at the Baltimore Actors Theatre, and then it was on to the Washington Ballet Company before moving to New York to study acting further at NYU's famed Tisch School of the Arts.
Recently, Parker appeared in an Oil of Olay nationwide special advertising campaign that ran in Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Elle and Vogue.
Parker has been nominated for five NAACP Image Awards and had the pleasure of presenting President Bill Clinton with a Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony hosted by the NAACP. She also received a special award at the Urban World Film Festival for "Outstanding Body of Work as an Actress."
Parker is a proud supporter of Sheila E's Lil'Angel Bunny Foundation, a non-profit organization that builds self-esteem and promising futures for young people through art, music, and dance.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Parker currently resides in both New York and Los Angeles.
VANESSA WILLIAMS ("Maxine")
Building a reputation as one of the most talented actresses in Hollywood, VANESSA WILLIAMS continues this winning pattern with her fourth NAACP Image Award nomination, and first win, for "Best Actress" in the role of 'Maxine.'
Williams starred in the SHOWTIME Original Picture For All Ages OUR AMERICA, which was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and garnered her a Daytime Emmy Nomination.
Williams' big break was a co-starring role on "Melrose Place," which was soon followed by a regular role on the critically acclaimed Steven Bochco series, "Murder One," for which she earned her first NAACP Image Award nomination. This was followed by a recurring role on the award-winning CBS show "Chicago Hope," which landed her another NAACP Image Award nomination.
Her previous film work includes "Punks," "Candyman," "D.R.O.P. Squad" and "New Jack City," as well as two BET original movies, "Incognito" and "Playing with Fire." She also voiced a regular role on the syndicated animation series, "Heavy Gear." Her other television credits include roles on "The Cosby Show," "The Pretender," "NYPD Blue," "The Steve Harvey Show," "Malcolm and Eddie," "Livin' Single" and "Between Brothers."
Born and raised in New York, Williams began theatrical training at age 11 with the New York City Opera Children's Chorus. She attended the High School for the Performing Arts, and earned a degree in theater and business management at Marymount Manhattan College. Williams' New York stage credits began accumulating with roles in "Death and the King's Horseman," the Broadway shows "Sarafina!" and Langston Hughes' "Mule Bone."
Staying true to her musical origins, Williams is currently working on songs and poetry for her debut album. She also currently serves as a spokeswoman for the March of Dimes.
MALINDA WILLIAMS ("Bird")
MALINDA WILLIAMS recently earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for "Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series" for her role as 'Bird' in SOUL FOOD. Her feature film roles include "The Wood," "High School High" and "An Invited Guest" which won the Best of Show at the 1999 Acapulco Black Film Festival and the Audience Awards at the 1999 Urban World Festival in New York. Other film credits include "Sunset Park" and "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate."
Williams' television credits include the cable movie "Dancing in September," ABC's "NYPD Blue" and CBS's "What About Your Friends?" She also appeared in such sitcoms as "Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher" and was a series regular and on several episodes of "Moesha."
DARRIN DeWITT HENSON ("Lem")
DARRIN DeWITT HENSON has made great strides with his acting career since first getting started with director Lionel Martin in the film "Long Shot." After small roles in "NYPD Blue," "New York Undercover" and "Beverly Hills 90210," Henson joined the cast of SHOWTIME'S SOUL FOOD.
While new to acting and directing, Henson's love for performing began at age five while growing up in the Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop. Inspired by Michael Jackson and sparked by the evolution of a new genre unfolding before him, Henson began perfecting his dance skills by performing with local street crews at venues around the city. After high school, he began choreographing which led to his first job working with Lionel Martin.
As a choreographer, Henson has worked with many musical artists including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez. Henson was nominated for a MTV Music Award for his work on Jordan Knight's video "Give It to You," in addition to winning the award for Best Music Video at the 2000 MTV Music Awards for 'N Sync's "Bye, Bye, Bye" video.
Henson created one of the hottest dance videos in 2001 titled "Darrin's Dance Grooves." He spends time doing Big Brother charity work and holding Darrin's Dance Grooves seminars. In 2003, Henson also hopes to open Grooves, a summer camp for kids who do not perform well during the school year. The camp will combine academic advancement with dance to heighten self-esteem and promote scholastic excellence.
ROCKMOND DUNBAR ("Kenny")
TV Guide named ROCKMOND DUNBAR one of "Television's 50 Sexiest Stars of All Time." From his provocative mixed-media exhibit, "ARTHERAPY," to his guest appearance in Dylan McDermott's directing debut of "The Practice," Dunbar is one of Hollywood's hottest new up-and-coming artists.
Dunbar's career began with a television series regular role in Steven Spielberg's "Earth 2," and was immediately followed by a recurring role on the cancelled television series, "Good News." He also appeared in several television roles on "Felicity," "The Pretender," "Two Guys and a Girl," "G. vs. E" and most recently the popular series "Girlfriends." He also appeared as a series regular in "Radio Silence" and had a recurring role for "Bloomington, Indiana."
Dunbar starred in a number of independent films including "Love the Way," which premiered in June 2001 at the Acapulco Film Festival, "Sick Puppies," "Misery Loves Company," "Whodunit" and "PUNKS," which debuted at the Sundance 2000 film festival and was released in 2001.
Dunbar has also completed a script for a television drama series titled, "Solitaire," which he is expected to executive produce.
AARON MEEKS ("Ahmad")
Seventeen-year-old AARON MEEKS began his career with the Los Angeles-based Cornerstone Theatre Company in his hometown of Watts, California. After Meeks' first audition, he landed a national commercial for American Express appearing with Magic Johnson and then went on to do a national commercial for Pepsi.
Meeks soon landed a recurring role as 'Deon' in the television series "Diagnosis: Murder," the role of young 'Cassius Clay' in the television movie "Ali: An American Hero," and in SHOWTIME's BOJANGLES, starring the late Gregory Hines. For his role in SOUL FOOD, Meeks was honored with the "Outstanding Youth Performer" Award at both the 2001 and 2002 NAACP Image Awards and was nominated again in 2003 for "Outstanding Supporting Actor." He's earned two nominations for the Young Artists Award for "Leading Young Actor" for his role on SOUL FOOD, and in 2000 for his performance in the Showtime Original Picture for All Ages A STORM IN SUMMER directed by Robert Wise and starring Peter Falk.
Meeks was also featured in the May 2008 Vanity Fair article 'Hottest Teen and Tween Stars.'
BORIS KODJOE ("Damon")
Boris Kodjoe was born in Vienna, Austria, to Ursula Kodjoe, a psychologist from Germany, and Eric Kodjoe, a physician from Ghana, West Africa. He grew up in Germany, with brother Patrick and sister Nadja, where he went to school and was exposed to athletics and the arts early in his life. He became one of the best tennis players in the country and accepted a tennis scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall of 1992.
While studying in Richmond, Kodjoe was approached by an agent at the Ford Modeling Agency, but decided to continue his education and earned his marketing degree in May 1996. He joined Ford in New York and his career skyrocketed after booking twelve campaigns in seven months with such clients as Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Yves Saint Laurent, and The Gap. He has worked with photographers such as Bruce Weber, Herb Ritts, Mathew Rolston and Marco Glaviano for major publications including Vogue, GQ and Esquire.
While studying with acting coach Janet Alhanti, Kodjoe started auditioning for TV and film roles. He landed a supporting role in the Spike Lee-produced feature film "Love & Basketball." He recently co-starred opposite his SOUL FOOD cast member Nicole Ari Parker, Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in the feature film "Brown Sugar," which earned him a nomination for an NAACP Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture." As a result, Fox Searchlight purchased a project from Kodjoe titled "Papa Was ... " in which he will star and produce.
In 2002, Kodjoe received an NAACP Award Nomination for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in A Drama Series" for his work on Soul Food and has recently been nominated again in the same category for the 2003 award.
TRACEY E. EDMONDS (Executive Producer)
As the owner, president, and CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group, Inc., Tracey E. Edmonds oversees the day-to-day operations of all subsidiary companies including: Edmonds Entertainment (film and television), e2 filmworks (indie film division), Edmonds Record Group, Edmonds Management (film, TV, and music clients), Edmonds Music Publishing, and The TracKen Place recording studio.
Edmonds attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, majoring in psychobiology. After graduating at age 20, she decided to develop her skills as an entrepreneur. She began on this road by running a successful mortgage and real estate business. Her career, however, took a turn when she joined forces with award-winning singer/songwriter, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. She then set about educating herself about all aspects in the business of music, film and television. Together, Tracey and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds created Edmonds Entertainment Group, Inc., a multi-million dollar enterprise that is actively involved in all aspects of the entertainment business.
Edmonds Entertainment quickly succeeded with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful feature film "Soul Food," which earned five 1997 NAACP Image Awards. Since its release, "Soul Food," the first film released by Edmonds Entertainment, made for a mere $7 million, has grossed over $43 million, and has sold over 2.8 million video units. Additionally, the LaFace soundtrack for the movie, of which Edmonds served as soundtrack executive producer, was a multi-platinum bestseller. Signing an overall first-look deal with Twentieth Century Fox, Edmonds continued to forge her way through the film world, developing and producing "Light It Up" for Fox 2000 in 1999.
The overwhelming success of Edmonds Entertainment set the stage for the formation of an independent film production company, e2 filmworks. Thus far, Edmonds has produced two highly regarded independent films under this banner: "Hav Plenty," released by Miramax in 1998 on which she again served as soundtrack executive producer and "PUNKS," which has delighted film festival audiences all over the world -- winning Best American Independent Film at the Cleveland International Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Torino Italy Film Festival, and Outstanding Emerging Talent at the L.A. Outfest.
Due to the extreme popularity of "Soul Food," Edmonds shifted gears to the small screen. SOUL FOOD (the series) is produced by Edmonds Entertainment, in association with State Street Pictures, via Paramount Network Television for Showtime Networks Inc. Additionally, the show received five 2001 NAACP Image Award nominations, including a win for Aaron Meeks for Outstanding Youth Actor. The show also received a Gracie Award and a 2001 Emmy nomination for Main Title Theme Music for "That's the Way Love Goes," performed, written and produced by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and co-written and performed by Al Green. Edmonds is currently executive producing the exciting new reality show "College Hill," which will begin airing on BET in January of 2004.
Edmonds produced the successful musical play "Love Makes Things Happen" (which was nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards), inspired by the music of her husband and producing partner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds." Additionally, Edmonds served as a producer on the spring 2001 release of Universal's "Josie and the Pussycats," a live action version of the popular '70's comic book and cartoon series. She also served as music supervisor on the film's soundtrack which went gold. On the telefilm front, Edmonds produced Nickelodeon's "Maniac Magee," based on a Newberry award-winning children's novel about segregation, which aired in February 2003.
Edmonds has won numerous awards for her achievements in the industry, including The Ebony Magazine Outstanding Women In Marketing & Communications Entrepreneur Award and TBS's prestigious Tower of Power Award.
Always looking to give back, she is one of two African-American executives on the Board of the Recording Industry Association of America. Edmonds also serves on the Board of Directors for the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and Women In Film (WIF). Other charities she supports include: MAP (Musicians' Assistance Program), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping members of the music community recover from drug and alcohol abuse; Do Something, a non- profit youth organization dedicated to training and funding millions of young Americans in their efforts to build up their communities; Community IMPACT! USA, a non-profit organization that launches neighborhood venture funds for youth, to ensure that all young people grow up in a healthy neighborhood; and Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, a non-profit 501c (3) organization dedicated to promoting instrumental music nationwide by partnering with businesses, schools and communities to provide new and refurbished musical instruments to qualified schools and individual students.
Tracey E. Edmonds resides in Los Angeles, California, with her husband, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, 7-year-old son Brandon and 2-year-old son Dylan.
GEORGE TILLMAN, JR. (Executive Producer)
After seeing the film "Cooley High," Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native George Tillman, Jr. became inspired to make films of his own. Tillman attended Columbia College and majored in Film and Video. It was here that he met Robert Teitel. The two formed a directing/producing partnership that continues to this day under State Street Pictures at Twentieth Century Fox.
In 1994, Tillman wrote and directed his first feature film, "Scenes for the Soul." It was shot entirely in Chicago, using local talent and resources. The film, which cost $150,000 to make, caught the attention of Doug McHenry and George Jackson who acquired it for Savoy Pictures for $1 million. Following on the momentum of this success, George began to write the feature film "Soul Food."
"Soul Food" began production in November 1996 on a hectic 30-day schedule. Modestly budgeted at $7 million, SOUL FOOD opened to critical and financial success, grossing over $43 million domestically. As a result, Tillman and his producer, Robert Teitel, landed a two-year, first look deal at Fox 2000. State Street Pictures became their company's new name - a reference to their early film years in Chicago.
Tillman's most recent directorial effort was "Men of Honor," an epic story inspired by the life of Carl Brashear, a man who battled the obstacles of racism, a lack of education and the loss of his leg to become the United States Navy's first African-American Master deep sea diver. The film starred Oscar(R)-winning actors Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Robert De Niro. It opened nationwide on November 2000 and grossed $85 million worldwide.
After the success of "Men of Honor," Tillman ventured into producing. He co-produced with partner Bob Teitel on the MGM film "Barbershop." It starred Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve and Cedric the Entertainer. Widely praised by moviegoers and critics alike, "Barbershop" opened to record-breaking box office success. With a domestic gross upwards of $75 million, "Barbershop" has become the most profitable African-American- themed film of all time.
Hot on the heels of "Barbershop," is the sequel "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," due for release May 2008.
Tillman is currently developing three different projects. For MGM, he will direct "A Conversation with the Mann," from the novel written by John Ridley, following the rise of a fictitious black comic who dreams of appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" during the late '50s and early '60s; "Revelation," is a supernatural thriller about a spiritually-conflicted FBI agent investigating a conspiracy that leads him to the Vatican that Tillman will direct for Warner Brothers, and "Criminal Minded" is the story of an inventive thief from South Boston whose cunning heists are chronicled in the book, "Final Confession: the Unsolved Crimes of Phil Cresta." Tillman will direct the film for Fox 2000.
KATHLEEN McGHEE-ANDERSON (Executive Producer / Writer)
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, KATHLEEN McGHEE-ANDERSON is a cum laude graduate of Spellman College, and an MFA graduate from Columbia University's School of Fine Arts in Film Directing.
McGhee-Anderson was a film editor for ABC in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles and an Assistant Professor of Film at Howard University before beginning her career as a writer/producer.
McGhee-Anderson's professional television career began when she was selected to participate in the Warner Brothers Writers Workshop. Her first TV credit was for "Little House on the Prairie," followed by episodes of "Benson," "Webster," "Charles in Charge," "227," "Gimme a Break" and "The Cosby Show."
Her first television staff job was with the series "Amen," and she has worked as supervising producer on "Moe's World," "Matt Waters," "South Central," "413 Hope Street" and "Touched By An Angel." Before becoming executive producer of "Soul Food" she worked as a consulting producer for the show. She was also a consulting producer for the Lifetime series "Any Day Now."
For the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, McGhee-Anderson wrote a screenplay about author Zora Neale Hurston titled "Jump At The Sun." She won The New Professional Theater Works Award for "Jump." It was produced by L.A. Theater Works, aired on National Public Radio and was a part of the "Alive & Aloud" classic play series which is taught in 1,400 public schools nationwide. She was selected as a Eugene O'Neill playwright for "Jump" as well as "Oak and Ivy," about poets Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Dunbar Nelson. Her most recent play, "5 Mojo Secrets," was produced in Los Angeles at the Village Theater. It has also been presented in readings for Crossroads Theater, The Fountain Theater and the Taper's Blacksmyths' Festival. Her plays "Mothers" and "Venice" have also been produced in a variety of venues throughout the country, including Julliard's Repertory Company and The Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.
Her movie credits include "Sunset Park," which was released by Tri-Star Pictures and "The Color of Courage," released by USA cable, which is about her grandparents' landmark Supreme Court housing case abolishing restrictive housing covenants throughout the country.
McGhee-Anderson is the recipient of the New Professional Theater Award, the International Children's TV and Film Award, the Ruby Slipper and the National Black Programming Consortium Award for her PBS Special "Blind Tom." She has twice been nominated for the NAACP Image Award.
SALIM AKIL (Executive Producer / Writer / Director)
Salem Akil's three-year meteoric rise from staff writer to executive producer of SHOWTIME's critically acclaimed drama SOUL FOOD is a classic Hollywood success story. His career in the film and television industry began at Los Angeles' Columbia School of Broadcasting. Following his studies, Akil received several awards for writing the independent feature film "Drillings" which screened at the 1999 Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals. The film won the 1999 Grand Jury Prize at the Urban world Film Festival, and the Jury Award at the 1999 Pan-African Film Festival.
Akil was recruited by SHOWTIME as a staff writer for their new series SOUL FOOD. After a short time writing, Akil's ambition for artistic expression brought him to the field of directing. He honed his skills directing music videos and title sequences for notable television shows including "Moesha" and "The Parkers." Once again, SHOWTIME hired him to direct three episodes of "Soul Food" during its third season. His level of responsibility was also increased when he was named as a producer for the same season. Now in its fifth season, Akil is one of the series' two executive producers and he both wrote and directed a number of the episodes.
In addition to his duties on SOUL FOOD, Akil recently directed the two- part season finale of Pun's hit comedy "Girlfriends."
A native of Oakland, Akil now resides in Los Angeles with wife, Mara. In his spare time he focuses on writing and developing feature film projects as well as indulging his love for painting.
CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS
Cast
Kenny ROCKMOND DUNBAR
Lem DARRIN DeWITT HENSON
Ahmad AARON MEEKS
Teri NICOLE ARI PARKER
Bird MALINDA WILLIAMS
Maxine VANESSA WILLIAMS
Production Credits
Executive Producers TRACEY E. EDMONDS, KENNETH EDMONDS,
ROBERT TEITEL, GEORGE TILLMAN, JR.,
SALIM AKIL, KATHLEEN McGHEE-ANDERSON
Developed for Television by FELICIA D. HENDERSON
Based Upon Characters created for the Motion Picture "SOUL FOOD,"
written
by GEORGE TILLMAN, JR.
Producer CATHY MICKEL GIBSON
Consulting Producers FELICIA D. HENDERSON, VALERIE WOODS
Co-Producer SHEILA DUCKSWORTH
Director, Episodes 61, 73, 74 SALIM AKIL
Writer, Episode 61 SALIM AKIL
Writer, Episode 73 SALIM AKIL
Writer, Episode 74 KATHLEEN McGEE-ANDERSON
Director, Episodes 62, 64 BETHANY ROONEY
Writer, Episode 62 KATHLEEN McGEE-ANDERSON
Writer, Episode 64 VALERIE WOODS
Director, Episode 63, 65, 71 KEVIN HOOKS
Writer, Episode 63 ERIC HAYWOOD
Writer, Episode 65 KENYA BARRIS
Writer, Episode 71 DAYNA LYNNE NORTH
Director, Episode 66 SEAN RYERSON
Writer, Episode 66 KEVIN LANCE COLLINS
Director, Episode 67 DAVID WARRY-SMITH
Writer, Episode 67 WENDY COULAS
Director, Episode 68 KEN GIROTTI
Writer, Episode 68 SALIM AKIL
Director, Episode 69 JEFF BYRD
Writer, Episode 69 ERIC HAYWOOD
Director, Episode 70 LEE ROSE
Writer, Episode 70 KATHLEEN McGHEE-ANDERSON
Director, Episode 72 MICHAEL McMURRAY
Writers, Episode 72 ERIC HAYWOOD & WENDY COULAS
Production Manager LISA GILBERT THOMAS
Director of Photography MICHAEL McMURRAY, C.S.C.
Art Director MARGIE ARNOTT
Editors JUAN CARLOS GARZA, DEBRA MOORE
Executive Story Editor ERIC HAYWOOD
Story Editors KENYA BARRIS, WENDY COULAS
Staff Writers KEVIN LANCE COLLINS, DAYNA NORTH
Music By STANLEY CLARKE / KURT FARQUHAR
Casting By ROBI REED-HUMES
Toronto Casting CLARE WALKER
First Assistant Director
(Odd episodes) DALE MACLEAN DGC
First Assistant Director
(Even episodes) RICO GERUSSI DGC
Second Assistant Director
(Odd episodes) MARK TARDIF DGC
Second Assistant Director
(Even episodes) ANI BARAVYAN DGC
Costume Designer BARBARA CHENNAULT
Set Decorator CHERYL DORSEY
Property Master STEPHEN LEVITT
Construction Coordinator PETER CONSTANTINIDES
Hairstylists LILLIE S. FRIERSON,
FRANCINE FRANCIS-LEE
Makeup Artists JULIA CARTER, JULIA VALENTE
Script Supervisor DANIELA SAIONI
Camera Operators IAIN BAIRD, TIM SAUDER
Chief Lighting Technician CHRIS TAKACS
First Company Key Grip DAVID "STRETCH" PAMPLIN
Music Supervisor YURI GORBACHOW
Production Sound Mixer AO LOO
Production Coordinator SUSAN R. JONES
Post Production Coordinator SUE MITCHELL
* Soul Food airs weekly on Wednesday's at 10:00 PM ET/PT
* Episodes repeat every Sunday's at 11:00 PM
* Rating TV14
