In June of 2015 the pilot episode of ‘Ballers’ aired on HBO. The first installment was an instant success as it gave football fans an inside look into the lives of NFL football players, coaches, and management. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson played the lead character Spencer Strasmore, a retired NFL superstar who uses his celebrity to monetize his friendships and start a career as a financial manager for active NFL players.
Spencer needs a marquee name to add to his portfolio. He focuses his attention on Vernon Littlefield, one of the best defensive lineman in the league. Spencer has the inside track on signing Vernon courtesy of him advancing Littlefield a $300,000 loan.
In season one episode two, Spencer discovers the signing of the star football player is a package deal. The two for one includes Vernon and his childhood friend Reggie. Littlefield places all his faith and trust in his childhood friend. During the course of his rookie contract, he allowed Reggie to have complete control of his finances. The result of that move equates to Littlefield experiencing cash flow issues.
Played by actor London Brown, Reggie is the overprotective friend who means well but his actions and verbalizations don’t translate properly. It became apparent in season one that Reggie was designed to be a character with a reoccurring role. London Brown’s portrayal of the character was so compelling to the point the Reggie character was added to the cast as he appeared in 46 of 47 episodes. Brown’s ability to bring the character to life allowed Reggie to move from the background to center stage.Â
A product of Los Angeles, California, London Brown is the oldest of six. His mother was very spiritual as he grew up in a church environment. He was able to get a glimpse of both worlds due to the fact his mother was a church-going person, and his stepfather was from the streets. The combination of the two gave him the balance a young person growing up in South Central L.A. needed.
Brown connected to the arts at church as he played the drums and participated in church plays. The skills he developed in the church would transition to high school as he was a member of the band and theatre program. Brown described himself as being different and he was very comfortable staying in his own lane. He was cool with gang members at his school due to the fact he was good at telling jokes and doing impersonations. His comedic act entertained the gang members and it helped him avoid physical confrontations with them. Shortly after high school, London Brown held a few odd jobs, and then he would find his way to the stand-up comedy circuit.Â
In 2013 he was cast as a rapper for Fuse network’s first scripted series ‘The Hustle,’ a show based on an upcoming rap duo from Brooklyn. Two years later with only $28 in his bank account, Brown would land his most notable role to date.Â
Sports/Entertainment Journalist Vince D’Writer went one on one with comedian/actor London Brown.Â
Vince: Define your Swagher. What makes London, London?Â
London:Â I have a nice balance of being very sure of myself, but also tenacious, and going after what I want. I feel that way in general where I’m comfortable in my own skin, and I don’t have a problem with being next to anybody. I’m comfortable, but at the same time, I’m not perfect.Â
Vince: How did you get your start as a stand-up comedian?
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London:Â After high school, I was selling the Los Angeles Times newspaper. Then I was working in telemarketing, and they asked me to do something for the job talent show. My manager at the time signed me up for an open mic doing stand-up, and after that I finally decided to go from there. What’s wild about that first show is that the first show was with this comedian named Katt In The Hat. He was unknown back then, but now he is known as Katt Williams.
Vince: Is it true you were the opening act for Chris Tucker?
London: I was touring with Chris Tucker. Basically I ran into him at a comedy club in L.A. It was the Hollywood Improv. The host asked me if Chris Tucker saw my set, and I said no he hasn’t seen me. So Chris Tucker did his set and the host told Chris Tucker he should peep me out. Shout out to DeRay Davis from Chicago. So DeRay pushes me on stage and I do my set. Chris Tucker liked my set and after the show we exchanged contacts and I started touring with him from 2011-2013.
Vince: The opportunity to join the cast of the HBO series ‘Ballers,’ how did that develop?
London:Â I was working as a choreographer. At the time I didn’t have an agent. I got a call in the middle of a project from a friend who is a writer. He told me HBO was looking for me and he gave them my information. I went to audition for Reggie and I had a lot of blessings on that. Reggie was supposed to be fat and I’m definitely not fat. Reggie was supposed to be reoccurring, but then they decided to make him a star of the show. It really worked out for me.
Vince: What was it like meeting Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the first time?
London:Â The first time we met was at a fancy hotel in Miami. The cast came together for lunch and to have a table reading. He was cool. I thought I was going to meet The Rock, but I didn’t meet The Rock, I met Dwayne Johnson. Dwayne Johnson is different from The Rock. People assume when you meet him, you meet the WWE jabroni calling, people’s elbow… naw you meet a businessman. He’s cool, but you feel his presence, like you know he’s in the building.
Vince: Describe your character Reggie?
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London:Â Season one he was a little immature, but he was looking out for his boy. Season two he was figuring it out, understanding how the game works, and trying to find his place. Season three and four he’s trying to establish his position and season five we get a Reggie who is able to sign checks, pay his bills, and be very responsible.
Vince: Have you ever had a fan approach you because they didn’t like your character Reggie?
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London:Â I remember one time I was coming out of a Foot Locker and this guy walked up to me with his fist balled up. He was like man, I don’t like the way you spent your friend’s money. He went super hard. I didn’t know what he was talking about until he said the way you doing Vernon ain’t right. I had to give him a breakdown between reality and acting, but I ended up taking a picture with him and his family.
Vince: How have you been holding up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic?
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London:Â I’m laying low like everybody else. I’m on a chill-out. For me, this isn’t too crazy because as an artist I would be home during the day anyway. My day normally starts in the evening. So this isn’t that crazy to me. I’m not losing my mind over being home. I’m seeing it as a time to catch up and be productive.
Vince: What does the future hold for London Brown?
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London:Â The plan is to work in television for a minute to develop familiarity with the viewers. After developing that familiarity with the viewers the plan is to work in movies on the big screen.
London Brown is an immense talent. He is a skilled actor, dancer, and comedian. In addition to his talents, he also has a potent combination of confidence, good work ethic, and determination. London Brown took a reoccurring role and ran with it for five seasons. Since the hit series concluded, Brown is focused on future projects as he plans to keep the ball rolling.Â
