Actor Stan Houston Hits Home Base In “Selma” Opposite Oprah in Defining Role as Sheriff Jim Clark

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Atlanta – Every actor dreams of that career-defining role, the one that lands him

in a blockbuster film alongside big Hollywood stars. Well when actor Stan Houston
was initially offered his ‘big break’ to read for the role of the racist antagonist
Sheriff Jim Clark in the now Oscar nominated film, “Selma,” he actually turned it
down twice, and with good reason. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, Selma is a
historical period piece that covers a critical episode in the civil rights movement.
As a resident of Coffee County in the Southeastern area of Alabama, Houston actually
lives in the same small town where Sheriff James G. Clark lived and died. Houston
felt the dynamics of playing such a controversial role might just be too close to
home. He eventually read for the role, and in a move showcasing director Ava DuVernay’s
dedication to authenticity, he was selected.

Houston has been acting professionally for six years now. “Selma” is his most significant
booking to date. His larger than life portrayal of Sheriff Clark has garnered him
international attention and acclaim. Performing directly alongside Oprah Winfrey,
who plays civil rights activist Annie Lee Cooper, Houston’s fiery, mean and unapologetic
stance as Clark has left audiences stunned in hushed awe.

One of the film’s most riveting reenactments is the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” demonstration,
where police viciously attacked over 500 non-violent protestors with teargas and
barbed wire laced billy clubs, under direct orders from Sheriff Clark.  Houston’s
cold-blooded portrayal has even garnered him a nod from AwardsCircuit.com at “Best
Villain” of 2014.

As predicted however, his superb acting and rendition of the legendary sheriff has
been a mixed bag of blessings. While the world is lauding his acting ability, accomplishments
and feats, some of his neighboring town folk are less than happy.

Actor, Stan Houston

“There have been a few negative comments from people here locally where I live but
I tend to ignore the ignorance of some people who should know better. Overall things
have been great!” expresses Houston. “Playing Sheriff Clark was emotionally and
physically taxing. I would not dare stay in character after the director said cut
because I would have gone nuts.”

“I was still holding on to my reservations playing Clark until one life changing
moment,” he reveals.  “We were rehearsing the courthouse scene for the first time
before we went to set. It was the first time the cast had seen me in character as
Clark. I look over and saw some of the cast crying. I lost it. Ava DuVernay, our
director, came over and gave me words of encouragement and we continued on. After
rehearsals, all the cast gathered in a circle for a word of prayer. Actor Coleman
Domingo prayed for God to lift me up and give me strength to play this role. I really
lost it then. Each cast member lined up and embraced me and gave me such support.
You really felt the presence of God in that room that day and all the love just
flowed over me. I was 100 % committed to the role after that moment. I knew I had
the cast as my family there to support me.”

Houston began his acting career in 2008 and has appeared in numerous independent
projects as well as projects for HBO and the FX Network, including the HBO comedy
series “Eastbound and Down.”  His most recent role was playing detective Donald
Bray in the story of the West Memphis Three in “Devils Knot,” working alongside
of Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon and Stephen Moyer. He appears in “A Free Bird”
on Hulu and Amazon and just finished filming, “South of Hell,” a new gothic drama
coming to WEtv later this year.

“It is such an honor and to be a part of ‘Selma.’ My wife is also actually a friend
of some friends of Annie Lee Cooper’s family, the role played by Oprah. So participating
in the production really just hit home for me on so many levels. I believe the viewing
of ‘Selma’ is necessary for all of us to realize what these brave American patriots
did for everybody, not just one race. Without their struggles, where would we all
be today? It is important to realize where we’ve been, how far we’ve come and how
much further we need to go as a country. Working with Oprah was unbelievable, and
in my eyes, our director, Ava DuVernay is a genius. She has tapped the heart of
this country with this film. My character was a pretty bad guy, but I’m happy to
have been such a visceral part of the movie. Hopefully I opened some eyes and helped
to bring about change!”