For Ving Rhames, homelessness is a problem that hits close to home. The 32- year-old actor, appearing in The Saint of Fort Washington as a street kingpin who exploits other homeless men, was approached on the first day of filming by a production assistant who told him, ''There's a guy here saying he's your brother.'' ''I didn't take it seriously-I thought maybe it was just some guy who wanted to be in the film,'' recalls Rhames. But when he stepped onto the floor of the Fort Washington Armory, a Manhattan shelter where the movie was being filmed, Rhames stood face-to-face with his older brother, Jr., who was living there. ''It shocked me,'' Rhames says. ''I was thrown off center that whole day.'' Shocked, but not exactly surprised. After the brothers grew up on Harlem's 126th Street, Jr. ended up on the streets, while Ving, a graduate of the High School of the Performing Arts and the Julliard School, went on to a burgeoning acting career, landing roles in Homicide and Dave as well as in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming Pulp Fiction. Explains the actor, ''My brother is a kind of nomad. He'd get in touch with the family when he'd want to. I hadn't seen him for quite some time.'' Growing up, though, Rhames says, his older brother ''protected his little brother. So whatever I have, whatever I've achieved, I owe to God, my mother, and my brother.'' The night of the reunion, Rhames gave his brother and a buddy $400 for a hotel room. Jr. has since entered a work program in upstate New York. ''It was important for him to get out of the neighborhood.'' Rhames says his Saint stint has left him with a new feeling of commitment. ''If there's anything I've learned, it's that it's part of my responsibility to help take care of those who are on hard times,'' he concludes. ''It's time for all of us in America to become our brother's keeper.'' -Gregg Kilday
You Might Also Like
- Video Review The Saint of Fort Washington | Ty Burr
- Movie News REEL ESTATE (1993)
- Movie Commentary Elements of the 'Saw' franchise (Oct 29, 2004) | Clark Collis
- Movie Commentary The best football movie pep talks (1999) | Jeff Labrecque
- Movie News Danny Glover reprising role in ''Master Harold''
- Movie News Richard Gere joins Amelia Earhart biopic
