Posted on 01/27/2005 3:18:57 PM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
When she became the first black woman to win the best actress Oscar, Halle Berry hoped she would be the first of many.
Three years on, however, no woman has repeated her success.
So Miss Berry, 38, has launched a savage attack on Hollywood producers and directors, accusing them of racial prejudice.
"The struggle for a woman of colour to find good material is still very present, and it's a struggle I fight every day," she said.
Miss Berry said there was such a shortage of decent roles on offer that she had resorted to buying the rights of books she wanted to develop into films.
The actress, who was honoured in 2002 for her role in Monster's Ball as the wife of a prisoner on Death Row, has four such projects in development.
'Called a nigger'
"I try to make the best out of what comes to me but it's going to be about making my own reality really," she added.
"I've been called a nigger straight to my face . . . but there's also much more subtle insidious ways that racism occurs here in Hollywood.
"I don't care what anyone says - they may think it doesn't exist, but it's usually those who aren't black who think that."
When she accepted her Oscar, Miss Berry made it clear she saw it as a breakthrough.
In an emotional speech, she said: "This is for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door, tonight, has been opened. Tonight the glass ceiling has been broken and I hope that it is shattered forever."
Jamie Foxx tipped for Oscar
Her comments came before today's announcement of this year's Academy Award nominations, when no woman from an ethnic minority is expected to be in the running for best actress and supporting actress.
Black male actors, however, could enjoy record success, with Don Cheadle, for Hotel Rwanda, and Morgan Freeman, for Million Dollar Baby, hot tips for honours at the awards ceremony on February 27.
Jamie Foxx, who last week won a Golden Globe for best actor in a musical for Ray, is the firm favourite for the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of soul legend Ray Charles.
Previously, best actor Oscars have gone to Denzel Washington, who won alongside Miss Berry in 2002 for his role in Training Day, and Sidney Poitier for Lilies of the Field in 1963.
The only black actresses to win best supporting actress Oscars are Whoopi Goldberg for Ghost in 1990 and Hattie McDaniel for Gone With The Wind in 1939.
Despite her anger at film bosses, Miss Berry, whose mother was born in Liverpool, is believed to be the world's highest-paid black actress.
She earned £25million for appearances in Gothika, X-Men 2 and Catwoman.
Another title bestowed on her was sexiest Bond girl for playing Jinx in the most recent 007 adventure, Die Another Day in 2002.
Her personal life, however, has been blighted by two broken marriages and violence from an ex-boyfriend, which left her partially deaf.
She recently divorced Eric Benet after he admitted cheating on her with a dozen other women.
Perhaps her career can be rekindled if hollywood ever decides to make a movie based on Dr. Rice's phenomenal life and career. waiting....waiting....
So much for transparent token gestures from the Academy Awards. Halle's getting as uppity as that Rice woman. What's a liberal to do??
As I recall, Ms. Berry gave credit to her boobs when she won her Oscar. Sounds logical to me...
But, unfortunately, not mute.
But, apparently, dumb.
Then they could film "Ordinary People", "Little Women", "Tom Sawyer", "The Firm", "Hunt For Red October" . . . . .
..."Uncle Tom's Cabin..."
The lack of good screenplays probably doesn't have much to do with her skin colour. Hollywood is mostly dreck. They are devoted to profit, not to art.
That just shows us how lazy and pampered she is. She's used to having everything brought to her on a silver platter. After the deafening silence of Catwoman, perhaps the "good scripts" aren't as plentiful.
The highest of high maintenance. Not worth it for more than an overnighter.
And then there's Antonio Banderas. Poor guy.
no where did she mention her white mother i wonder why
It may not be her personality, per se.
As a ring of gold in a swine's snout
So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
(Proverbs 11:22)
Dan
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Look how many roles Leo DiCrapio, Julia Robers, and Ben Affleck get.....
I think old Halle needs to go cry on Condoleezza Rice's shoulder.
Yeah, but she doesn't get it.
Maybe she should write a script and use her money to produce it instead of complaining about what OTHERS won't do.
Great reply, Danno. Nailheaded.
Yeah,and the struggle for Christians to find good material to watch is still very present as well.
Ask Mel Gibson what he did about it.
That's pretty much what I was thinking, too.
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