MUSIC, tenderness, the art of story-telling, soft kisses, babycakes, intelligent conversation, my lovely and amazing friends, people-watching, shits and giggles, drinks on the lower east side, rampant humanity, beautiful smiles, LOVE...
Music
Lately listening to a lot of Janelle Monae, Countre Black, James Morrison, Jazmine Sullivan, SugaRush Beat Company, Fink, Raphael Saadiq, Ra-Re Valverde, Radiohead, Lupe Fiasco, Joss Stone, Daedelus., Lykke Li, Kenna, Gnarls Barkley, Estelle, P!nk, Sam Sparro, Robyn and John Legend ... but I like all kinds of music.
Movies
Some recent faves: MILK, Let The Right One In, Towelhead, Lars and The Real Girl, Slumdog Millionaire, Starrbooty, Superbad, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly... Some all-time favorites: Clue, Under the Cherry Moon, Wild Reeds, Billy Elliot, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy... but there are more movies that I love than you would feel like reading.
Television
30 Rock, The Office, The Comeback, Chappelle's Show, Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, Greek, Will and Grace, The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Arrested Development, Damages, Weeds, Ab Fab, The L Word, Project Runway, So You Think Can Dance...
Books
The War of Art, The Fortress of Solitude, The Color Of Water, The Secret History, The Rules of Attraction, Running with Scissors, Dry, The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things, Sarah, Wicked, The Lazarus Rumba, Tomato Red, Geek Love, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Holidays on Ice, Barrel Fever, You Shall Know Our Velocity!, Confederacy of Dunces... and on and on...
About me: i'm much cooler than someone who would post his bio--or talk about myself in third person--in his "about me" section. but people keep asking me the same shit, and i'm supposed to be acting like a professional... so deal with it. (smile.)
"Darryl Stephens started acting while attending UC Berkeley. After studying and performing for three semesters, he joined cult camp theater troupe SASSYMOUTH and performed in shows like "Medea the Musical," "Joy," "Napoleon, the Camp Drag Disco Musical Extravaganza" and "Combat!: An American Melodrama" in San Francisco's theater district. After taking "Medea" to HBO's Aspen Comedy Festival, he moved to LA to get into film and television.
His first television role was on MTV's "Undressed," where he played a horny high school student trying to seduce girls with scary movies. Soon after, he played opposite Shannon Elizabeth and Steven Segal's son, Kintaro, in what he calls 'one sucky ass movie,' "Seamless." Within the year he also booked the role of Julian, the DJ predisposed to love-triangles, in the film "Circuit." After supporting roles on CBS' "That's Life" and a short- lived VH1 show called "Red Eye" with comedian Katt Williams, he decided to get back to the stage.
He did a few small plays ("Joy," "Bent," "Medea") and soon realized that he would never be satisfied with the lackluster theater scene in LA. He studied with Tony Greco in LA and with Gary Imhoff at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, booked a few commercials and then decided to try and get serious about his film career.
Anxious to get more work under his belt, he played a "slacker with a dark side" in the very indie-film "Not Quite Right."
Then he read for a role in a project tentatively titled "Hot Chocolate." He was familiar with an earlier film by the writer/director, Patrik Ian Polk, and when he booked a day player role as one of the main character's store clerks, he was just happy to be working. When Polk called him and told him he was changing the name of the project to "Noah's Arc" and offered him the role of Noah, Darryl was thrilled... and confused. He had no idea what was to be expected of the Noah character or what the plan was for launching the project. After filming a number of promotional short films and one and a half pilot episodes, the show was picked up by the new LOGO network. The television series ran for two seasons and became a cult hit. LOGO then decided to broaden Noah's audience by producing a feature film called "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom." Many in the industry were shocked when the show's legions of loyal fans made the low-budget romantic comedy a huge hit. The network then decided to entertain bringing the show back to the network. (Stay tuned...)
The year he filmed the first season of "Noah," he also played a main character in Q. Allan Brocka's "Boy Culture" and a supporting role in Todd Stephens' "Another Gay Movie."
Recently, he played a waiter on "Ugly Betty," wrapped principal photography on the jazz biopic "Bolden," starring Anthony Mackie, Jackie Earle Haley and Wendell Pierce, voiced one episode of "Rick and Steve" with RuPaul and played a pimp in the "Tranny McGuyver" short film starring Willam Belli and Coco Peru, among many talented others.
He is also collaborating with two of his best friends on feature screenplays that he is very proud of and hopes to get produced within the year. Darryl is excited about continuing to expand his body of work and challenging people's preconceived notions about what black men can do."
Word.
Who I'd like to meet: "The Announced Intellectual Renaissance"
"I believe that at the essence of high-minded civilization lies the heart of the independent thinker. At no time has society needed so honest an offering as a free man's art and craft-as right now. I have committed myself to a way of life that is uncompromising-and includes nothing malicious, derogatory, frivolous or culturally digressive in the work that I present.
But, In the past I have passively/ aggressively attempted to sell my music with the brand of 'ghetto music'...music born out of (and for) the underbelly of Negro society. While the story I painted of my experiences is certainly true, this attempt to paralell my talents with street life was one of desperation. It was a short-sighted and impulsive calculation.....to get my music heard. It was, simply, an insult to myself. the reality is that the origin of my talent remains a gift that comes from a place much older, deeper, richer and more alive than anything that an unfortunate byproduct of our times could ever hope to create. Proper credit to the development of my talent goes to my enablers, my mentors and my own self- determination...not to anything that belies intellect, is demeaning to what culture should aspire to or is lacking in integrity. I shall never again bow down-in any measure-to insecurity, corporate or peer pressure-to do anything other than my very best and most honest.
I sincerely regret ever having associated myself with the ignorance people have perpetrated upon themselves in the name of survival. I will be the one to qualify what is survival and what is success for me. And, If I am to be one or both, it will be based on the merit of my work alone.
--Van Hunt"
Van Hunt posted the above in his myspace blog.
I want to meet artists--no, fuck that... HUMANS with this kind of integrity. There is a lot of bullshit being glorified in our culture right now. I want to meet people who strive to stand above mediocrity; people who DO NOT glorify cruelty, thoughtlessness, vapidity and greed. I want to be surrounded by people who value life and love.
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
Hi Darryl!!! When will we be able to read or see the stores that you write? You are so talented!!!! I hope that you will have a beautiful morning. I have something to tell you, but I will at another time. I Love You and I will be coming to Cali in a few months. I hope to see you and the ones I love. Love Always, Tina
hey Darryl..how u doin? Wow...i jus watched the Noahs ark movie...finally...lol..i kno i kno..so late yea! Well..i did go out and get the dvd right aftr it was over...totally loved it. Was so nice to see the cast back 2gether again. And yea...loved u in the movie...totally. Such a nice ending to a great series. Jus wanted to say hey...miss seeing u in films so hurry up and do more ok..much love and aloha...xoxox
Hi Darryl, I'm coming by to tell you hello and that I love seeing you on screen, in person, whenever, wherever, however. Love you and glad to be one of your friends.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way,I'd really like to see more of you on television. I absolutely love Noah's Arc and Boy Culture. Also, praying for more seasons of Noah's Arc. My box set of Season 1 and 2, and "Jumping the Broom" still seems so incomplete. Definitely craving more!
Wishing you much success in your career. Definitely a fan :))
Hey Beautiful!!! I miss you! I hope that you are doing great, I will be visiting Cali soon...I hope to see you. You have a very eventful, and exciting day. I love you and I adore your spirit. Enjoy your day, and I will make sure that I will say goodnight. I love you sweetheart! Stay safe and Always keep that beautiful smile on your face. Love Always to you and yours!!! xoxo Tina
okay my bad...cant send you any msgs..urrggghh...so im going to paste it
How have you been? Busy Im sure...Do you go and see your mom often? Reason why I asked is because my daughter LOVES YOU..she watches your show faitfully. She would love to meet you. We just got through watchin "jumping the broom" (which was awesome!) Alex had me rollin the whole time. Letme know. Hopefully I will hear from you soon..TTYL
hi D, if you like norah jones/angeltaylor/dashboardconfessional/leona lewis music check me out. I love your work. happy summer! will also be trying out for american idol in august in san fran, CA, and bravo tv hitmakers, so pray for me and i'll pray for you! <3 Fionna
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