Friends and Lovers features a host of beloved and respected actors from all genres. The project’s comedic overlapping storylines, and unique structure allow for the characters to be expanded, as well as creating opportunities for new characters to be introduced.
Jackee Harry is a television legend. She got her start on Broadway, starring in the Tony-award winning shows "Eubie!" and "The Wiz". Her start rose quickly in 1987 she became the very first and only African American Actress to win an Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Sandra Clark in "227". Ms. Harry has starred in a string of popular and acclaimed TV shows including The Royal Family, Jackee!, Sister Sister and Everybody Hates Chris.
Debra Wilson is one of the funniest women in entertainment, who has made a career of bold, daring and memorable performances. She shot to fame as the star of the sketch comedy show MadTV, with wicked send-ups of celebs from Whitney Houston to Oprah Winfrey. She has also been seen on Reno 911, Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles, Speed Racer, CSI. As a voiceover artist, Debra is heard everyday in film and televison. These credits include the films Hoodwinked, Over The Hedge, Ice Age 2 and TV shows Family Guy, Justice League, VH1, MTV,
Elaine Hendrix is a gifted comedic actress with over 80 film and television credits to here name, Elaine Hendrix is one of the hardest working, respected and well-known actresses in the industry. She got her start in TV on the daytime drama Days Of Our Lives and quickly made the transition to huge shows like Friends, CSI, Ghost Whisperer, Charmed and Joan of Arcadia. Her film career has been impressive, with memorable turns in popular smash film like Michelle and Romy’s High School, Reunion, Coffee Date, Superstar and Parent Trap.
Patrick Bristow is a gifted comic actor/writer/director who’s a television favorite. While his background was in theater and improv, he has made a name for himself with quirky and sympathetic characters that audiences either love, or love to hate. Since his star making turn on ABC’s Ellen, Bristow has built an impressive list of credits and accomplishments. He has co-starred in shows as diverse as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Charmed, Malcolm in The Middle, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Friends, Family Guy, Mad About You, The Drew Carey Show and American Dad.
Jason Stuart started as a stand-up comic, but quickly became known for his work as an actor playing gay and straight roles on over forty popular television shows, including, Will & Grace, George Lopez, Everybody Hates Chris, House, M.D., Charmed and My Wife & Kids. Stuart was featured in the comedy hit "A Day Without a Mexican" and the HBO award winning drama “Gia”. Stuart has become a major player in the independent film world after being nominated for a Gay International Film Award for best supporting actor in "Coffee Date". His very first stand-up comedy special, "Jason Stuart: Making It To The Middle" for Here! TV
Tonex is a Grammy nominated artist whose released several hundred songs on 24 albums over a span of just 14 years, while producing several others for both gospel and secular artists alike. He has won six Stellar Awards, a GMA Award, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Soul Gospel Album for his 2004 gold album, Out The Box. Known more for his gospel recordings, his musical efforts have been known to blend a smorgasbord of styles, including pop, R&B, jazz, soul, funk, hip hop, rock, Latin, electro, and trance, just to name a few. His primary influences include Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Prince, Michael Jackson, Walter Hawkins, Shirley Caesar, and Janet Jackson.
Bobby Blake is a legend in the adult entertainment industry. The most successful African American in gay adult film, Bobby Blake has appeared in over one hundred movies. In his best-selling autobiography In My Life in Porn, Blake for the first time goes behind the scenes of the sex industry to reveal intimate stories that are sexy, fascinating, and sometimes disturbing. Blake also shares his private spiritual struggle and the quest for love. Unzipped Magazine says, “Bobby Blake’s MY LIFE IN PORN is an absolutely blistering account of his life as adult’s number one gay, black star. No one’s feelings are spared here. This compelling tale is exactly what we love and expect from Blake: sexy, proud, in-your-face, and—ultimately—humanity-affirming.”
Treynce was a Top 5 finalist on American Idol and her star hasn’t dimmed since. Her AI tour outsold the Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera joint tour, and covered a total of 41 cities in 55 days. As an actress, her first role was in Queen Latifa’s film Beauty Shop. Since then she has starred in the David E. Talbert production "Love In The Nick of Tyme". She starred as the lead in the hit play based on E Lynn Harris' Book "Not A Day Goes By" with the same name. She now stars in the Broadway revival of Aint Misbehavin’.
Willie Macc fist came to attention as the breakout star of BET’s College Hill. His big screen break came with his appearance in the 2008 comedy spoof "Meet the Spartans" where he played a "Yo Mama" joke-cracking opponent of the Spartan army. His second film, "House Arrest", was released this year. Cited as a "modern day Eddie Murphy", Willie Macc continues to rise with two additional roles. The action / comedy, "Chicago Pulaski Jones" (written by and starring Kel Mitchel of the "Kenan & Kel" show, and includes a directorial debut by Cedric the Entertainer), and the other being "The Greatest Song" (a wonderful romantic comedy starring Lamman Rucker of Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married" and "Meet the Browns", and national comedian and TV Host, Joe Clair).