LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Chris Tucker, the renowned comedian and actor, made an appearance on Seth Meyers' show, sharing amusing anecdotes from his diverse career, including his unexpected role in the movie 'Air' and a memorable mishap while filming with Viola Davis.
Tucker, celebrated for his transition from stand-up comedy to versatile roles in both comedies and dramas, delved into his remarkable journey in the film industry.
Chris Tucker's creative involvement in 'Air' beyond the script
He revealed the intriguing backstory behind his character, Howard White, in 'Air'. Initially, the character wasn't part of the script.
Tucker said, "What happened was Ben Affleck went down to talk with Michael Jordan to get his blessings pretty much and say, 'If you don't want me to do this movie, I won't do it.' Michael said, 'I don't care. Just, if you're gonna do a movie about Nike, you've got to have Howard White in there because Howard White was my connection to Nike'."
Subsequently, Tucker's personal connection with White led him to shape the role himself, crafting his character's scenes and dialogue, which ultimately added depth to the movie.
Chris Tucker's comedic blunder on set and stand-up revelations
Amidst sharing his gratitude for Howard White's consistent support towards his charitable endeavors,
Tucker humorously recalled an unexpected and slightly embarrassing moment while shooting a scene with Viola Davis, a highly acclaimed actress.
Tucker confessed, "So the first scene, I was kind of scared and I blacked out I thought I -- I'm serious I thought I was in the movie 'The Help'."
He humorously recounted channeling lines from the movie 'The Help' to Davis, mistaking the setting for a different film altogether.
Davis, bewildered by Tucker's unexpected dialogue, humorously steered him back on track, leading to an unusable take and some lighthearted moments on set.
The conversation shifted towards Tucker's return to stand-up comedy, discussing the excitement and occasional nervousness before performing live.
Tucker quipped, "You learn how to control your nerves, you know? And that's the best thing about it because you master it. Because every night, you know it's a different audience, different vibe, and you just master it and you say, you know, when you get out there, you know, the audience loves you already."
"All you got to do is go out there, relax, and have fun. So that's what I do, And the audience is great It's great," he added.
Tucker shared his approach to managing nerves, emphasizing the importance of mastering the stage and connecting with diverse audiences each night.
In true comedic fashion, Tucker highlighted the spontaneous nature of stand-up, where unexpected moments or latecomers to shows often sparked new comedic material, much to the delight of audiences.
With his forthcoming 'Legend Tour 2023', Tucker teased the possibility of announcements regarding potential film sequels, playfully encouraging fans to attend his live shows for more updates.
Chris Tucker's appearance on Seth Meyers' show provided an entertaining glimpse into his multifaceted career, showcasing his comedic charm and sharing amusing behind-the-scenes moments from his experiences in the movie industry and stand-up comedy.
