Thursday, January 19, 2012

BIG YUM'S ACTOR SPOTLIGHT: RICHARD GALLION

Richard Gallion is a 27-year-old actor/model who grew up in a single parent household with seven siblings.  Originally, from the K-Town neighborhood, which is located on the West Side of Chicago, Richard moved to the Up-Town area when he was 12.  It was there where Richard excelled in basketball and football.  Of the two Richard grew to love the game of basketball more, dedicating himself solely to the sport because he concluded that basketball would make him rich someday.  Praying, shooting at least 500 shots a day and watching basketball film on YouTube were daily rituals that kept him on the road to success.

After graduating from Lakeview High School, Richard went on to play college basketball at the NCAA Division I ranked Chicago State University.  While playing ball at Chicago State, Richard heard about a Nike commercial that needed basketball players.  He jumped at the opportunity not only because it was a paying gig, but it was an opportunity to star with NBA All-Star Michael Redd.  Of thousands that auditioned, Richard was chosen.  The commercial exposure lead to a photo shoot for Fesup clothing, which in turn led to national exposure as Fesup’s spokesperson.

Low and behold, Richard had stumbled upon a budding modeling career.  He landed a job as a model for the Ebony Fashion Fair, the world’s largest touring fashion show, and to his delight, the exposure from modeling began to lead to opportunities for him to act in theater productions.

From his humble beginnings to stunning modeling career, Richard feels blessed: “I know that God blessed me with lots of gifts, and basketball was a tool to stay in shape and get free schooling.  I know that God put me on earth to serve him as well and a part of my calling is to be a successful model and actor.  I always thought it would be difficult to see my dreams come to pass, but the conclusion I came up with is difficult takes a day and impossible takes a week.”
BIG YUM: Now Rich, I have known you a very long time, what made you choose a career in acting?
RICH GALLION: I got into acting by accident but u never know what God has in store for you.
BIG YUM: Ok cool and since you have been doing movies and stage plays, is there anyone in particular you want to work with?
RICH GALLION:  I would love to work with Denzel Washington.
BIG YUM: What is the daily routine of Richard Gallion?


RICH GALLION: I wake up daily and I pray and read my bible for a little, then I study my acting(i.e reading scripts, writing, rehearsing to myself, etc.).  If I have rehearsal for a play or movie I go work on that and I definitely hit the gym.  A healthy lifestyle is a must, I enocurage everybody to live healthy even you LeShaun (laughs).


BIG YUM: (Laughs) Yeah you do all the time and I am getting there no doubt.  Is there any difference between basketball and acting, as far as work ethic?


RICH GALLION: There isn't really a difference.  The only difference is with acting my body isn't taken any abuse and I don't have to be pumped to perform well.  But with both you have to have confidence, dedication, passion, commitment, etc...  You have to work just as hard with acting as you do basketball because you can be fussed at for forgetting lines and slowing down production.


BIG YUM: I feel you, do you have any celebrity crushes?


RICH GALLION: I use to have one on Halle Berry but who didn't (laughs).


BIG YUM: True, true although me myself has always crushed on Raven Symone but hey it's not about me, the ladies want to know is Richard Gallion single?


RICH GALLION: Nope, I am not sorry ladies.


BIG YUM: That's ok more for me (laughs), what's in the future for Richard Gallion


RICH GALLION: The future for Richard Gallion is alot of programs for the youth all across the world. I want to give back to the children of our future.   Also I have two upcoming movies coming out starring me they are titled "The Black Butterfly" and "The Good Life", look out for those.  Also, the people can get both my plays featuring stars like Ginuwine, Shirley Murdock, Darrin Dewitt Henson, and many more on Netflix and in Redbox.  Those plays are titled "The Ideal Husband" and "Love Me or Leave Me". 


BIG YUM: Well, Rich it's been a pleasure thanks for the interview, until next time brother.


RICH GALLION:  The pleasure was all mine's.  Thanks LeShaun, I really appreciate it, God bless.
#SWBY

HERE IS A REEL OF RICHARD'S WORK:


"THE IDEAL HUSBAND"

RICHARD'S LATEST PLAY WROTE BY HIM "LIVING WITHOUT LOVE" TRAILER HERE:
YOU CAN ALSO SEE HIS MOVIE "BLACK BUTTERFLY" ON NETFLIX BUT CHECK OUT THE TRAILER HERE:

CHECK HIS LATEST MOVIE TRAILER "THE GOOD LIFE" HERE:
HIS NEW PLAY "VOICE OF A CHILD" PREMIERES APRIL 20TH IN CHICAGO, IL


YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT RICHARD OR CONTACT HIM?  CLICK ANY ONE OF THESE LINKS:
www.facebook.com/richgallion
http://www.richardgallion.com/


Bible script Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the lord with your whole heart.  Lean not on your own understanding but acknowledge him in all your ways and he will direct your path to rightousness.

3 comments:

  1. Good article! I found Rich's role in Black Butterfly hysterical, but Ideal Husband and Love me or Leave me seemed to be more natural fits for him. As an actor I know he probably wants to be as diversified as possible but there is nothing wrong to playing your strengths. Keep on keeping God first and ask through Jesus Christ His daily will for you. You won't go wrong at all.

    PS: Ive been trying to get yummy healthy for years! He needs to get on that body by vi http://www.deshaunjohnson.myvi.net. God bless y'all!

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  2. Great article! It's funny I was reading and each laugh was like old times. I must say that you fellas have really proven to become great men! Richard has left me amazed seeing him in both the films and plays! Then seeing him in his own production "Living Without Love" was awesome. He's doing great things and so are you Yummy.

    As far as the getting healthy part, I too am jumping over that hurdle but as long as we continue to support each other, accomplishments will be made!

    Count me in as a supporter...if I can make it, I'm there supporting you guys! Much love!!

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  3. This article was so inspiring. I didn't get to see "Living without Love" yet but I know Richard did an amazing job. I'm so happy that you guys chose to do something positive with nyour life when it is so easy to get caught up in the negative. We all have to support each other as much as we can.Peace and Blessings to you all!!

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