City Watch: Brooklyn Byrd Flies High

Up-and-coming actor raises awareness about prostate cancer

By Denise Benson
Epoch Times New York Staff
 Sep 20, 2007

 

BROOKLYN BYRD: Entertainer Kevin Byrd at his home in Park Slope, Brooklyn. (Ron McClammy)

NEW YORK—Writing, producing and starring in an independent film about the dangers of prostate cancer, the Brooklyn-based and strikingly handsome Kevin Byrd is a talent with a heart.

Born in Utica, N.Y., Byrd started performing at the age 10, when he was the only African American in his performing arts troupe. Since then he has danced, sung, acted, modeled, produced, and directed his way into mainstream theater, TV and motion pictures.He recently starred in his own off-Broadway one-man show, "Release," in which he played six different men at six different phases of their lives.

Amidst the fame Byrd has still flown high, not only working to raise awareness about prostate cancer—which has a significantly higher rate of occurrence among African American males—but also volunteering to help people with autism.


ET: What inspired your interest in the importance of prostate cancer awareness?

KB: My grandfather died of prostate cancer back in 2003.

ET: What would you like to accomplish in promoting awareness?

KB: First, letting people know the facts about prostate cancer… One of the most important things for men is seeing their doctors and getting tested for prostate cancer.

ET: I read that prostate cancer is a silent invader. What's your take on that statement?

KB: It's not something that grows over night. It grows over a slow period of time. A lot of times you won't even know you have it until it is already full blown. That's why it's silent.

ET: Last year, you starred as the legendary World War II African American hero Lt. John R. Fox in a history channel documentary hosted by Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson and produced by Al Roker. How did you feel about the role?

KB: Lt. John R. Fox is a legendary soldier who fought and died for our country, and he received a Congressional Medal of Honor. He killed 100 German soldiers and risked his own life for our country.

When I got a chance to read the script and I got a chance to learn about who he was I was immediately amazed and I wanted to be a part of this TV special. I liked the fact that he stood for something heroic and monumental.

He and I are born on the same day December 12.

ET: What made you want to become an entertainer, writer and producer?

KB: It is something that has always been a God-given talent ever since I was a little kid—like five years old. I was always running around the house saying that I wanted to perform. I was inspired by my dad and my mom who were entertainers. I love to entertain people.

ET: Being in the entertainment business, what do you hope to accomplish?

KB: I just want to be the best that I can be. I hope that my message and everything that I do is on a very positive level and that I bring change and awareness to everything that I am a part of.

ET: With all the things you do, how do you find the time to volunteer for people with autism?

KB: I allow myself to keep open to bringing change and to me being able to help… I allow myself to give back.

ET: What do you love about New York City?

KB: I love the fact that it is very culturally diverse. I am a theater buff so I got a chance to write, produce and star in my own off-Broadway show. I always wanted to have my show in New York.

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