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On the Monday Mornings set with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who wrote the book on which the new TV series is based
love and also selfless. He really tries to do what is
best for the whole. He’s a very no-nonsense guy
who expects people to be proficientand honest.”
“It’s not that huge a transformation of my
inner being.” add Rhames, who says the
character reflects elements of his own deep
personal spiritual beliefs.
Monday Mornings is based on the book by
CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
who serves as executive producer with writer
producer David E. Kelley, whose successful
touch has also steered TV’s Ally Mcßeal, Chicago
Hope and Boston Legal. The show also stars
Alfred Molina and Jamie Bamber.
The title refers to the hospital’s weekly
morbidity and mortality conference, when
doctors gather for a confidential review of
complications and errors in patient care.
Committing to Monday Mornings came easy,
says Rhames, who jumpéd at the chance to be on
aquality television show that would allow him to
expand his character throughout a full season—
and hopefully longer. “The scripts are
phenomenal,” he says. “Really, the writing is
better than film. I never wanted to be on a series
where I wouldn't be able to grow as an artist.”
Tough guy, soft heart
Rhames, who shortened his first name,
Irving, to simply Ving at the suggestion of
fellow acting student and college roommate
stanley Tucci, has grown in his profession to
become an actor recognized for the physical
and emotional gravity he brings to his roles.
o AMERICANPROFILE.COM
PAGE 6
“He’s a powerful screen presence. Imposing
is the first word that comes to me,” says movie
critic Leonard Maltin. “There’s no escaping his
impact physically. He radiates a kind of
authority very few actors can duplicate.”
Bill D’Elia, the director of Monday
Mornings, agrees that Rhames dominates the
screen when he’s on it. But he adds that the
actor is a “tough guy with a soft heart,” which
perfectly complements his character on the
new show, “a former football player who then
went to medical school.”
“Vingis funny in person, and personable,”
D’Elia says. “He’simminently approachable on set,
mixes it up with the cast and makes them laugh.
He makes me laugh, and he’s ablast to direct.”
Deep family roots
Born the son of a mechanic and a homemaker
who were children of Southern sharecroppers,
the actor draws strength from the depth of his
family roots in Harlem, N.Y.
“My parents were from South Carolina, but I
was born in Harlem Hospital,” Rhames says.
“My dad never made a lot of money, but he
always had a strong work ethic. My mother
really had a phenomenal one. I credit her with
keeping the family together. She was really the
rock in my life.”
«] always taught him about the goodness of
people,” his mother, Reather Rhames, 85, told a
reporter in 1996.“1 always wanted my children
to have an education, because I never had that.
He wanted to be a football player, but he was
thin and he couldn’t gain the weight. One day
he told me he was going to go into acting. I said,
“What?! I didn’t know anyone in my family or
on his father’s side who was into acting.”
Guided by faith
While his mother has been a powerful and
positive influence in his life, Rhames has also let
his faith steer him in a business not always
known for its high moral ground.
“I allow God to guide me,” he says. “In some
ways I don't make choices. I try to stay out of
God’s way. God has always provided for me,
always had his hand on my life. T knew thatata
very young age. My thing s to let go and let God.
God knows what is better for me than I do.”
The actor and his wife of 12 vears, Deborah,
live in Los Angeles with teenage stepdaughter
Tiffany, daughter Reignbeau, 12, and son
Freedom, 10. As for hobbies, Rhames is
passionate about collecting early American
furniture, including Handel lamps and items
made by Stickley Brothers and Roycroft.
But what he seems to have truly collected is
a wonderful life.
“Just to have health and strength is a
blessing,” he says. “I wake up this morning,
I'm healthy, my children are healthy, my wife
is healthy. None of that is promised.
Everything is a blessing.” % :
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/| Mom Reather is “the rock in my life,” Rhames says.