S6E29 - Still Toking with Cleavon McClendon (Actor)

Episode Notes S6E29-- Join us as we come Straight Outta Compton with Cleavon "Jinx" McClendon. He'll be in the house talking all things from Straight Outta Compton to Justified and beyond. Cleavon R. McClendon III was born in Los Angeles, California. Raised by a single mother, he grew up with a flare for the dramatics. Needing somewhere for her son to go during the summer months, Cleavon’s mother enrolled him at Marla Gibbs’ Acting Studio. It was there that he got bit by the “acting bug.” He had to be walked onto the stage in his first play when he was just 7 years of age. Cleavon’s first acting job would be as an extra in Marvel's 1993 superhero comedy film Meteor Man, starring Robert Townsend, Marla Gibbs and a host of well known actors. Cleavon then moved on to Faith Acting Studios. It was there that a lady by the name of Ms. Felicia encouraged his mother to look into him acting professionally. It was during the showcase for Ms Felicia, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Tracy Coley’s new acting school, All God’s Children, that he was discovered by his first agent, Carolyn Thompson - Goldstein at Media Artist Group. He was just 10 years old. Cleavon followed Carolyn to her next agency at Amsel Eisenstadt and Frazier. During his time with AEF, he would land a recurring role on the 1997 sitcom The Good News, created by Ed Weinberger. In between one of the tapings of an episode involving a pet duck, Mr. Weinberger asked Cleavon if he could cry during a scene. Having never done it before, Cleavon said “I could try.” During the scene to Cleavon’s astonishment, he let the tears flow. This only furthered his love for performing. In 1999 he would book a role in a feature film playing the role of Jamal Reed, the younger brother of lead actor Deon Richmond. Cleavon would continue to book roles in the industry such as: Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show, The Game, Girlfriends, Cold Case, 24, House of Payne and other shows. HELPFUL LINKS: VETERANS: https://www.va.gov/.../mental-health/suicide-prevention/ ADDICTION: https://lp.recoverycentersofamerica.com/.../continuum-of.../ Due you know someone that has lost their lives due to addiction? Or even someone that has made a full recovery? Reach out to Johnny Whitaker so they can help to celebrate the lives lost/ lives recovered at [email protected] Follow our guest https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565816/ https://www.instagram.com/cleavonmcclendon/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/cleavon.mcclendon.1/ Toking with the Dead: https://www.stilltoking.com/ ————————————— Follow Still Toking With and their friends! https://smartpa.ge/5zv1 ————————————— Produced by Leo Pond and The Dorkening Podcast Network MORE ABOUT THE GUEST: In 2010 Cleavon would land a recurring role on the television show Justified, playing the role of Bernard, starring Timothy Olyphant. During his time on Justified, he would have the opportunity to be on screen with individuals such as Mykelti Williamson and Walton Goggins. Cleavon’s next notable role would come in 2014 as a recurring role in the Amazon Prime series created by Ben Watkins, Hand of God, starring Ron Perlman. He would play Asa Boston, the son of Robert “Bobo” Boston, played by Andre Royo. Cleavon would share the screen with actors such as Ron Perlman, Andre Royo, Garret Dillahunt and Mia Long. Cleavon’s big break would come a year later in the 2015 blockbuster feature film Straight Outta Compton, playing the role of Jinx. Cleavon has continued to pursue his career in the years after. Never losing the urge to perform even after getting married and having 2 beautiful children. In 2024 he starred in the short film Something About Mother, playing the role of Caleb opposite Kathleen Bradley, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Jane Kennedy and Dawnn Lewis. Find out more at https://still-toking-with.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/still-toking-with/79a049ae-51b3-47d0-8ae3-154f84c3d2cd