Halle: There Are No Great Roles for Black Women (Catwoman Claims Hollywood "Racist")

Daily Mail ^ | 1/25/05 | Henry Meller

[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.

[silent_jonny]

Translation: Halle Berry desperately trying to save movie career by crying "Racism!" Riiiiiight. Go polish your Academy Award.

[Texas_Jarhead]

the keywords say it all

[atomicpossum]

Some individuals should be seen and not heard.

[My2Cents]

She earned £25million for appearances in Gothika, X-Men 2 and Catwoman.

If she had any sense of decency, she'd give back some of that money.

[Publius6961]

There must be some emotional investment in keeping up the notion that there are roles for black women and roles for white women and roles for latino women.
Silly me. I was under the illusion that in 2005 there were roles for women and roles for men.

I stand corrected.

[GunnyHartman]

"which left her partially deaf. "

But, unfortunately, not mute.

[TexasNative2000]

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.

Such an original idea! Someone should buy the rights to "Gone With The Wind" and make a movie. Then they could film "Ordinary People", "Little Women", "Tom Sawyer", "The Firm", "Hunt For Red October" . . . . .

What a dunderhead.

[MisterRepublican]

Liberal Hollywood is racist? Hollywood? Oh, Halle, say iy isn't so!

[BibChr]

Hm.

Wonder how many practicing, evangelical Christian actresses of ANY color have won?

Dan

[Callahan]

No kidding. This broad is hot as all hell yet cannot keep a man to save her life. What does that tell you about her personality?

[TommyDale]

The beautiful Ms. Berry should be more selective in choosing her roles. "Catwoman" was not a wise choice, as it will go down as the bomb of the year.

[My2Cents]

She recently divorced Eric Benet after he admitted cheating on her with a dozen other women.

Married to one of the most beautiful women in the world, and he cheats on her. I guess her discernment about men is about as good as her discernment about film scripts.

[MisterRepublican]

it, that is.

[NativeNewYorker]

She has THIRTY TWO flicks on her imdb page.

STFU.

[Darkwolf377]

"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."

This happens all the time. MANY actors/actresses are involved in getting material for themselves--why is this considered something she had to "resort" to? It's like saying she's "resorted" to reading scripts that she eventually declined to film.

BTW, I'm amused at some of the responses here. We've been saying all along that Hollywood is hypocritical in its liberal pose, backing liberal politicians like Boxer who attack black women. I don't get the reactions to someone who supports our view of Hollywood as one big garbage factory.

[Tax-chick]

What a miserable, messed-up person. It must be very difficult being her.

[Tulane]

Wait, didn't she win an Academy award? That role wasn't a good one? "Logic," what's that?

[lawdude]

Hey Halle. These are YOUR libs who have a history of helping blacks. Oh, they really haven't done much, have they? What group (ok, party) has reached out and actually DONE things for and with blacks? Hows about the Republican conservatives. Compare Condi Rice to "Sheets" Byrd. Colin Powell to "Babs" Boxer. Racists, the whole bunch.

[ChadGore]

It's "the man", keepin' us down, who made me take this role"

[small voice in the wilderness]

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....

[Spok]

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??

[TommyDale]

As I recall, Ms. Berry gave credit to her boobs when she won her Oscar. Sounds logical to me...

[atomicpossum]

"which left her partially deaf. "

But, unfortunately, not mute.

But, apparently, dumb.

[My2Cents]

Yeah, making movies from books. What a concept!

Then they could film "Ordinary People", "Little Women", "Tom Sawyer", "The Firm", "Hunt For Red October" . . . . .

..."Uncle Tom's Cabin..."

[siunevada]

"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.

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.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Seven Razzie nominations this year. Check it out. :)

[silent_jonny]

she had resorted to buying the rights of books she wanted to develop into films.

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.

[OB1kNOb]

The highest of high maintenance. Not worth it for more than an overnighter.

[My2Cents]

There must be some emotional investment in keeping up the notion that there are roles for black women and roles for white women and roles for latino women. Silly me.

And then there's Antonio Banderas. Poor guy.

[italianquaker]

no where did she mention her white mother i wonder why

[BibChr]

This broad is hot as all hell yet cannot keep a man to save her life. What does that tell you about her personality?

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
Biblical Christianity web site
Biblical Christianity message board
Biblical Christianity BLOG

[Dan from Michigan]

Knowing how Hollywood is, probably true.

Look how many roles Leo DiCrapio, Julia Robers, and Ben Affleck get.....

[VeniVidiVici]

I think old Halle needs to go cry on Condoleezza Rice's shoulder.

[My Favorite Headache]

Ahhhhh well when all else fails...break out the ole

[My2Cents]

I don't get the reactions to someone who supports our view of Hollywood

Yeah, but she doesn't get it.

[mc6809e]

Maybe she should write a script and use her money to produce it instead of complaining about what OTHERS won't do.

[OB1kNOb]

Great reply, Danno. Nailheaded.

[carlr]

"The struggle for a woman of colour to find good material is still very present, and it's a struggle I fight every day,"

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.

[exnavychick]

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's pretty much what I was thinking, too.

[thombo]

I have an idea that'll make Halle happy,and is PC at the same time.Why don't the Oscars create a catagory for best African American female actress?

[popdonnelly]

Eric cheated on her with a dozen other women? He must be blind.

[LauraleeBraswell]

Halle Berry doesn't even look Black. She has got to be kidding.

[LadyPilgrim]

Maybe she ought to become a Republican and run for office. ;-)

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I highly doubt that Halle Berry has encountered racism, after all she is also a white women and a very attractive women, there are not as many black woman roles in Hollywood for the same reason there are not very many Hispanic roles for women....they are a minority group.

[My2Cents]

Hey, now there's a thought! "Halle Berry IS 'Secty. of State Condoleezza Rice'!" I'd go see that movie.

[popdonnelly]

Hmmmm, Hollywood is so racist she can only make tens of millions of dollars. Well, life is tough for many. And she isn't exactly a great actress.

[Welsh Rabbit]

This broad is hot as all hell yet cannot keep a man to save her life.

She's beautiful, but I don't find her sexy at all. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it's because her beauty is too perfect to the point of seeming artificial, or maybe it's because her self-absorbed attitude over shadows her, even when in character. Also, she's a lousy actress (way too much melodrama...).

[silent_jonny]

Really? I heard that the Oscars this year are the most "diverse" in history--even more so than 3 years ago when Halle won her award.

[Don Corleone]

"I've been called a nigger straight to my face

Being interviewed by "Sheets" Byrd I guess.