Cliff Curtis, from New Zealand is one of few actors in Hollywood that has the ability to play every ethnicity.
In a recent interview by Slate, with Cliff Curtis, June Thomas the reporter asks him about how he feels about playing a different ethnicity in Hollywood.
“I take the responsibility of playing another ethnicity very, very seriously,” he says, “and I promise myself and those people that I will represent them with as much dignity and integrity as I can muster. I’m not fooling around. I don’t want to make a fool of that cultural heritage. I represent them as I would represent my own.”
In the video you can see Curtis play several different ethnicities realistically.
What do you think of Cliff Curtis being able to play so many ethnicities? Do you think an ethnicity should only be played by those that fit that identify with that ethnicity? Or do you think actors should have the ability to change to different ethnicities as long as they look the part? Do you think it is offensive to other groups of people by selecting someone that is not of that ethnicity for a role? If an animated cartoon featured a black character, is it okay to do the voiceover with a Caucasian actor? Or vice versa? What do you think? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
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