Lennox B still making his mark in acting and music
Published:Sunday | March 27, 2022 | 12:08 AMStephanie Lyew - Sunday Gleaner Writer
California-based musician, disc jockey, and actor Lennox Brown, known simply as Lennox B, knows how to get into character. With over a decade of experience, working as a stand-in for actors such as Blade superstar Wesley Snipes, two-time Golden Globe winner Donald Cheadle, and the prolific actor dubbed as one of most bankable Hollywood stars Samuel L. Jackson, the entertainer, who is originally from the parish of Portland, has made an indelible mark on a generation of black Caribbean youth, through his work, but also managed to maintain this relevance beyond his niche audience as a musician.
Be it in terms of listeners being able to relate to his work, to developing a good rapport with the actors he stands in for or for film executives being inspired by his drive and personality – Lennox B’s influence is undisputed.
Speaking with The Sunday Gleaner recently, the musician-turned-actor said that he would not be where he is if it was not for the valuable advice he received from a colleague while working with Carnival Cruise Line in the entertainment department.
“I was encouraged to go to Hollywood if it is I wanted to be on stage or TV films. Now, here I am in California after many years. Long story short, it started with me taking some acting classes and participating in a few workshops. Then I ended up doing a commercial, did more training, and the same people would have introduced me to more, getting extra work to feel how it is on set,” Lennox B shared.
He later lay his first stone in the film industry as a stand-in for Joe Morton (who is known for the notable role of Eli Pope, the father of Olivia Pope in the Shonda Rhimes-produced Scandal). Working as a stand-in was a job that Lennox B had no knowledge about doing.
He said, “I didn’t know what it meant to be a stand-in or a photo double, just that a photo double is different from a stunt double. I just took direction, and after a while, it became easy. It was like I became part of a second team. The casting agency recognised the potential I had, taking also a liking to me and my culture; they got me in the union and hooked up with more stand-in roles. That’s when I met Wesley Snipes.”
He’s worked as a stand-in on Snowfall and has a role in season two, episode 10.
Lennox B, given the nickname Buppy, was excited by the opportunities living in the Mecca of the film industry, more so because he also saw new horizons for the music he recorded with his band, The Uplifters, to be featured in movie soundtracks. Their song Do You Want Some was part of the soundtrack of the Tony Scott-directed thriller The Fan in 1996. As Buppy and The Uplifters, the entertainer made the rounds within the Los Angeles’ busy nightlife, including the talked-about hilltop mansion restaurant called Yamashiro and the House of Blues in Los Angeles.
All the movie sets aside, the studio and stage have always had an unexplainable power over Lennox B, “because music is the way a writer takes his words to another level”.
“The pleasure and joy that comes from someone liking the music you, yourself create. I know it gives me a good feeling. I always wanted that chance to do music, and it didn’t matter if persons spoke English or any other language, the energy and sound of music is and always will be appreciated. I prefer my music more than acting because of the fact that I’m creating and expressing my inner-self while doing a film. I have the challenge to express someone else’s creativity of writing by doing the actions given to me,” Lennox B explained.
His musical background stemmed from his father, Lennox Brown Sr, a saxophonist and one of the first set of musicians to graduate from the Alpha Boys School. For the entertainer, being able to connect to his roots is key. It has always played a role in his career and was the selling point for him when accepting the role of Buppy The Bartender in Arnold’s Caribbean Pizza aired on NBTV. Season two of the sitcom produced by Trenten Gumbs premiered on February 20, with the new character joining a largely Jamaican cast.
“It’s that long unity with my culture; I always bring my ‘yard man’ energy. I actually met Trenten Gumbs at Eddie Murphy’s house (it was at an event with Wesley, too), and ever since, we had a connection. He loved music and has a long-standing career as a music producer for Eddie Murphy. With a love for my music, we started working on music and released Fling It Up just before the pandemic,” Lennox B shared.
But, instead of using the name Buppy, which he had previously five albums under, Gumbs advised him to use Lennox B and revamp my image. He has since released his reggae album Love Vibrations with Gumbs. Then last year, the director/producer called him up with an opportunity to act a main role in the sitcom and even surprised him by naming the character Buppy.
“Of course, when he sent me the script, I couldn’t believe my character was Buppy. Now, I can flow both names whichever way. I was happy about it, and from there on, we are creating history. It’s an easy vibe, you know in a bar, the bartender is the man who knows it all and into everyone’s business,” Lennox B said.
“I’ve balanced, and I believe in working every single day. So, me acting is helping to sharpen my tools. As a Jamaican, them say ‘one, one cocoa full basket’ and ‘yuh haffi creep before yuh walk’. I see working behind the scenes roles as a stepping stone and opening to other opportunities and not what some people think, that it hinders me from getting a principal role. This is adding to my résumé as we speak, and as Buppy, the bartender, I’m in my element,” he continued.
Lennox B has also been the host of the Caribbean Music Countdown Show for the past 40 weeks.