Interview Only: Laurence Fishburne's new movie "Sneaks" is animated Shoe-tacular Adventure!

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: In-Depth Conversation with Laurence Fishburne on "Sneaks," Career Insights, and Personal Discoveries

Release Date: April 17, 2025

In this captivating episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, renowned sports commentator and host Stephen A. Smith engages in a profound conversation with the illustrious actor and producer Laurence Fishburne. The discussion spans a range of topics, including Fishburne's latest animated venture, reflections on his illustrious career, personal revelations from a recent PBS appearance, and insights into his role in the spy thriller "The Amateur." This summary delves into the key points, noteworthy discussions, and insightful conclusions drawn from their interaction.

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1. Introduction to Laurence Fishburne and "Sneaks"

Stephen A. Smith opens the conversation by lauding Fishburne's exceptional acting prowess, referencing his memorable roles in classics like "What's Love Got to Do with It," "The Matrix," and his recent work on ABC's "Blackish." He expresses genuine admiration, stating:

"He's one of the greatest actors in American history as far as I'm concerned. And it is an honor and a privilege to have him back." ([00:55])

Transitioning to Fishburne’s latest project, Smith inquires about "Sneaks," an animated sports comedy that Fishburne is producing.

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2. Deep Dive into "Sneaks"

Laurence Fishburne provides an engaging overview of "Sneaks," describing it as an animated adventure centered around a pair of sneakers that come to life. The narrative follows 24s, a brother and sister sneaker duo who become separated after being raffled off at a gala in the Guggenheim Museum, New York. Fishburne elaborates:

"It's a really funny buddy movie about these two sneakers, an old head, an old school sneaker and a brand new sneaker who's like the hotness that everybody wants. And an odyssey of them trying to get back to each other throughout New York City." ([02:07])

He highlights the star-studded voice cast, including Martin Lawrence, Anthony Mackie, Macy Gray, Chloe Bailey, Ella May, Quavo, Rico Rodriguez, and Chris Paul (CP3), underscoring the film's dynamic appeal.

Smith marvels at the ensemble, remarking:

"You just gave a couple of Martin Lawrence, you know, Anthony Mackey. Macy Gray's in there, Chloe Bailey's there, Ella May is there, Quavo, Rico Rodriguez, even the one and only CP3. That was a great pickup, no question." ([02:56])

Fishburne discusses his role as a producer, crediting Helen Suland of Cinema Gypsy for bringing the project to him:

"My partner and I, Helen Suland at Cinema Gypsy, she brought the piece to me and, and, and she really believed in it." ([03:19])

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3. Laurence Fishburne's Passion for Animation

When probed about his love for animation, Fishburne reflects on his inspirations and the allure of voice acting:

"There's one actor in particular who is probably one of the greatest voice actors of all time, and that was the late, great Mel Blanc. ... Just as an actor, he had a kind of skill and versatility that I always aspired to." ([04:53])

He emphasizes the joy of creating characters through voice and collaborating with talented artists, highlighting the unique creative process that animation offers.

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4. Reflecting on a Remarkable Career

Stephen A. Smith shifts the conversation to Fishburne's extensive career, posing a thoughtful question about unfulfilled aspirations:

"If you had to really, really sit down and think about anything that you wish you would have done, something that might be on your bucket list, something that you missed out on, I can't imagine that you haven't done, because it seems like you've done every damn thing." ([05:46])

Fishburne responds with humility, expressing a forward-looking mindset:

"I try not to dwell on things that I haven't done. ... It's much healthier to look forward and try to, you know, get to do some of those things or do a version of those things, you know, perhaps you missed." ([06:14])

He acknowledges the importance of continued growth and pursuing new endeavors without being anchored by past regrets.

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5. Personal Revelations from "Finding Your Roots"

The conversation takes a personal turn as Smith brings up Fishburne's recent appearance on PBS's "Finding Your Roots." He inquires about the experience and its impact on Fishburne's understanding of his heritage:

"I understand it was very, very revealing as it pertained to you. You like talking about that for a second? Tell me." ([07:26])

Fishburne opens up about discovering his biological father, William Siegel Bohannon, who passed away in 2017, and the newfound extended family members he connected with:

"It's a huge gift because I have a whole new family. I have siblings I did not know I had and other people in my lineage that I did not know about." ([07:52])

He reflects on the broader cultural context, noting the complexities of family histories, especially within communities of color:

"The history of our families and our family history is as complicated [as] this country." ([09:14])

This revelation has provided Fishburne with a profound sense of connection and belonging, enriching his personal narrative.

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6. Insight into "The Amateur"

Shifting back to professional pursuits, Smith discusses Fishburne's role in the spy thriller "The Amateur," co-starring Rami Malek. Fishburne outlines the film's premise:

"Rami Malek plays a CIA analyst whose wife gets killed in a hostage type situation. He wants to seek vengeance. ... So they have me as a colonel who comes in to train him." ([10:32])

He praises Malek's talent and their collaborative dynamic:

"Rami Malek... he's so talented. He's... he's so interesting and so smart, and he's one of the producers." ([10:32])

Fishburne expresses confidence in the film's reception, highlighting its strong narrative and character development.

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7. Closing Remarks and Promotion

As the interview concludes, Stephen A. Smith extends his gratitude, emphasizing Fishburne's contributions to cinema and culture:

"I'm a huge fan, as I have been for decades with your wonderful work, man. It's an honor and a privilege to talk to you." ([11:19])

He promotes both "Sneaks" and "The Amateur," encouraging listeners to support Fishburne's projects:

"Sneaks is in theaters nationwide April 18, and the amateur is out now, as we just heard us say. So be sure to check out both of them, please." ([11:39])

Smith concludes with heartfelt appreciation:

"Why wouldn't you? Why wouldn't you? I ain't even bring up Mission Impossible 3 cuz that brother was good in that movie. Great in that movie. You know, I always watch Lawrence Fishburne movies. I'm just letting y'all know I ain't faking the funk. That brother's real. He's something special." ([11:41])

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Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers an intimate glimpse into Laurence Fishburne's multifaceted career and personal journey. From the creative intricacies of producing an animated film like "Sneaks," to profound personal discoveries featured on "Finding Your Roots," Fishburne shares candid reflections that resonate with both fans and aspiring artists. His insights into animation, dedication to storytelling, and unwavering commitment to his craft underscore why he remains a revered figure in the entertainment industry. Listeners are left inspired by Fishburne's blend of professionalism and personal authenticity, eagerly anticipating his forthcoming projects.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Every morning brings a fresh new energy.

[C]

And no matter what the day holds, we come to the Today show for all of it. We get the best start to the day because we started together.

[D]

Watch the Today show weekdays at 7am on NBC.

[C]

My next guest is a six time Emmy Award winning actor known for memorable roles and the films like what's Love Got to Do with it, The Matrix, remember ABC's Blackish? The man's been here before. He's one of the greatest actors in American history as far as I'm concerned. And it is an honor and a privilege to have him back. The one and only Lawrence Fishburne is on the show right now. What's going on? Big time. How are you, man?

[D]

How's everything? Stephen? What's happening, baby?

[C]

Listen, I can't wait to talk to you. I can't wait to talk to you about Sneaks in a second. But I mean, I'm just looking at you. You've been doing a lot of work, man. You're supposed to be climbing up there and you're supposed to be, you're supposed to be inching towards retirement. I mean, you working more than most people, Lawrence. I mean, what's going on, man?

[D]

What's up? Hey, somebody got to pay for the retirement, baby.

[C]

Got bills to pay, right? You got the bills to pay.

[D]

Retirement is expensive.

[C]

That's right. I, I definitely get you. I understand that loud and clear. Let's get to your new project. All right. You know Sneaks, it's an animated sports comedy. You are producing. What's it all about? Talk to me about it.

[D]

Sneaks is an animated thing that we did with a lot of really talented people. Martin Lawrence, Anthony Mackie. And it's about a pair of sneakers. And the sneakers come alive and talk. It's the journey of a pair of sneakers, a 24s that are brother and sister and they get separated. They've been raffled off at a gala at Guggenheim in New York and a young kid wins them and the sneakers get separated and a lot of chaos ensues. But it's a really funny buddy movie about these two sneakers, an old head, an old school sneaker and a brand new sneaker who's like the hotness that everybody wants. And an odyssey of them trying to get back to each other throughout New York City. It's great.

[C]

Well, well, listen, let me remind somebody the name you gave. You just gave a couple of Martin Lawrence, you know, Anthony Mackey. Macy Gray's in there, Chloe Bailey's there, Ella May is there, Quavo, Rico Rodriguez, even the one and only CP3. CP3, Chris Paul. That was a great pickup, no question. Yeah, no doubt.

[D]

Yeah, well, it's great.

[C]

So what, was this your idea? Was this your idea or did somebody.

[D]

No, no, I, but I'm one of the producers. I was, I was brought on board. My, my partner and I, Helen Suland at Cinema Gypsy, she brought the piece to me and, and, and she really believed in it. And I was like, yeah, this is really kind of interesting. We haven't seen this before. Like we've seen talking airplanes and talking cars, but we ain't seen talking sneaks.

[C]

I've heard a lot of things about. I've heard a lot about you throughout the years, but the one thing I've never heard is that you were a big sports fan. So I'm wondering, what was it about this particular idea that appealed to you so much? Because I know that you're forward thinking and you're a visionary. What was it about this idea that appealed to you so much?

[D]

Although I'm not a sports fan, I grew up in New York in the 60s and the 70s and I'm not even a sneaker head. But I get it. Like I get sneaker culture even as somebody who doesn't really participate in it in that way. I used to have friends who would see me and when they would see me wearing sneakers, they'd be surprised because for a long time I just didn't wear them. And that wasn't like a conscious choice. But there is something about sneaker culture that I do understand and that I do connect with. I'm always, I've always been a big animation fan. So anything animated always has my interest.

[C]

And why have you been a big animated animation fan? I am one too, but I'd like to know, what is it about it that appeals to you? Somebody is star studded as you are, as accomplished as you are, what is it about animation that does it for you?

[D]

The thing about animation is growing up listening to. There's one actor in particular who is probably one of the greatest voice actors of all time, and that was the late, great Mel Blanc. You know, Mel Blanc voiced Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn and Porky Pig and Martin the Martian, and I can keep going. So just as an actor, he had a kind of skill and versatility that I always aspired to, but also, you know, just as a. As. As an actor, being able to create characters with your voice and work with, you know, illustrations, work with artists, renderings of characters, that's just. That's just fun for me.

[C]

Lawrence, as you reflect on your career and the illustrious career that you've had, if you had to really, really sit down and think about anything that you wish you would have done, something that might be on your bucket list, something that you missed out on, I can't imagine that you haven't done, because it seems like you've done every damn thing. But is there something that you haven't done in your career that you wish you had done? Project, Anything like that?

[D]

There's more than one thing on my career that I wish that I have done that I haven't done. But I try not to dwell on things that I haven't done. You know, I don't think that's a smart thing to do. I think it's much healthier to look forward and try to, you know, get. Get to do some of those things or do a version of those things, you know, perhaps you missed.

[C]

That's where I'm going. I'm sorry I asked the question wrong, because I'm thinking something that you haven't done that's you still in line to do, like it ain't finished, like you just haven't done it yet, but you really, really want to do it.

[D]

There's. There's a lot of stuff I haven't done that I, you know, that I would like to do, that I will get to do. And. And I think it's. It's also very important for me to, you know, do the work that I need to do before I start talking about it, you know, so I'm on a manifest, something I got to get into the visualization of it, you know? Gotcha. And this isn't the platform for that. This isn't the space for that.

[C]

Got you.

[D]

You know.

[C]

Totally understand. Totally understand. I want to get into something else, too, because, yes, there's a lot of.

[D]

Things that I want to do that I hope to do, that I envision myself doing and I'm working towards doing.

[C]

Yes, totally understand. I want to get into A new project. You know, one of your new projects. Actually, it's not a new project. I wanted to discuss your recent appearance on the PBS show, because I was. I was. I was reading something about that 5 finding your roots, hosted by. And. And I understand it was very, very revealing as it pertained to you. You like talking about that for a second? Tell me.

[D]

Sure. What that was about for you and.

[C]

What that experience was like for you. Please.

[D]

Yeah, go ahead.

[C]

What was that about? What happened?

[D]

It's a huge gift. I mean, I basically was. You know, I got enough information vis a vis DNA to actually find out who my biological father was. As it turns out, Mr. Fishburne was not my biological father, although he was my dad, and he was wonderful dad. You know, he showed up for me in ways that were important, and he gave me a great name, Mr. Fishburne. And I'm grateful to him and his memory. But at the same time, I just discovered that my biological father was a gentleman named William Siegel Bohannon, who was born and raised in the city of Chicago, and he passed away, sadly in 2017, before I was able to get to meet him. But, yeah, it was a huge gift because I have a whole new family. I have siblings I did not know I had and other people in my lineage that I did not know about.

[C]

And what's that like when, you know, you walk up to people and they come up to you and. And suddenly they're family, you know? You know, I mean. I mean, what. What. What is that like?

[D]

Listen, Stephen, the reality of it, in terms of, you know, our culture and our history as. As people of color in this country. This is not new stuff. Yeah, this is not new. Yeah, you know, that's true. The history of our families and our family history is as complicated, this country. So it's not new. Yeah. It's something that happened to me, and I'm not the first, won't be the last, and I'm just grateful that I got a chance, you know, at. Even at this, you know, moment in my life, you know, shall we call it the third act of my life, or whatever it is, to meet people who are related to me and. And who love and embrace me just based on that alone. It's beautiful.

[C]

I feel you. I just. I just think about. I think about how beautiful that is and the way that you describe, and it almost, like, gives you a new lease on life. That's how I would take it anyway, in a very, very positive way. Of course. That's how I look at it. And no question about it. So I'm happy for you about it. Let me get back to the business of you from. From the standpoint of this spy thriller. It's already out, called the Amateur, starring alongside Rami Malek. Talk about the. The Amateur. Talk about that film for a second and what your role in that is.

[D]

Yeah, so it's me and Rami Malek. Rami Malek plays a CIA analyst whose wife gets killed in a hostage type situation. He wants to, like, seek vengeance. He goes to the people at the CIA and says, you got to train me for being a field operative. So they have me as a colonel who comes in to train him. And I immediately am struck by how inept I think he will be at field operations. Little movie that I did with Rami, who I adore. He's so talented. He's. He's so interesting and so smart, and he's one of the producers. And we. We think the. The movie's. You know, we think the movie's great, and a lot of people seem to think the same thing, so I got you.

[C]

Well, listen, I got to let you go. I got to run myself. I can't thank you enough for giving me some time to talk to. It's always wonderful to talk to you. You know, I'm. I'm a. I'm a huge fan, as I have been for decades with your wonderful work, man. It's an honor and a privilege to talk to you. I really.

[D]

I'm coming to New York soon to do something, and I want you to come see me. I'll let you know about it.

[C]

Please let me know about it.

[D]

Absolutely, brother.

[C]

You take it easy, all right? The one that Lawrence Fishburne. My man. God bless. God bless. Take care. My thanks to the great Lawrence Fishburne. Snakes is in theaters nationwide April 18, and the amateur is out now, as we just heard us say. So be sure to check out both of them, please, as Lawrence Fishburne. Why wouldn't you? Why wouldn't you? I ain't even bring up mission impossible 3 cuz that brother was good in that movie. Great in that movie. You know, I always watch Lawrence Fishburne movies. I'm just letting y'all know I ain't faking the funk. That brother's real. He's something special.

[A]

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[B]

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