The late, Clarence Williams III, was a legend in the acting the game for decades. As most of us know, Williams was cast in a number of major moves and some of his best work were in films like Purple Rain, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Sugar Hill, Blue Hill Avenue, and American Gangster, Williams has left his mark on the film industry. But, most fans probably have no clue he married this amazing Matrix actress…and their story was beautiful until the end…

“The Matrix” actress he was married to…

Clarence Williams III married actress, Gloria Foster, who was best known for her performance in the box office hit The Matrix. In the film, which has grossed more than $463.5 million since its 1999 release, Foster portrayed the vital role of the “Oracle,” a mysterious older lady with the power to guide humans in The Matrix. The pivotal role serves as yet another accomplishment on Foster’s filmography. The Matrix film franchise is now considered one of the most successful in film history, with all of the films grossing more than $1,632,989,142, collectively.

At the time of her death, Gloria was in the middle of filming The Matrix Reloaded, which ultimately released in 2003. Some of Gloria’s previously filmed scenes were still included in the 2003 movie though. At her funeral, many iconic actors attended to pay homage to Gloria Foster- an actor they highly respected for her acting abilities. Author, Martin B. Duberman, commended Foster for her work in the stage play, In White America. “Gloria didn’t act the part,” said Duberman, “she embodied it. At the end of the scene each night, there were tears streaming down her face, her body was trembling, but her dignity was intact.”

One of Gloria Foster’s closest friends was the iconic Cicely Tyson…

Cicely Tyson was one of Gloria Foster’s good friends. She also spoke at Foster’s funeral, doting on her “unceasing dedication to her profession and her talent.” She also shared intimate details about their friendship revealing they often indulged in three hour-long conversations regularly.

Other celebs who spoke at Foster’s funeral included actresses Mary Alice (who ended up playing the same “Oracle” role in The Matrix Revolution after Foster passed away), the iconic Ruby Dee; and actors, Al Freeman (played Elijah Muhammad in “Malcolm X”), Geoffrey Holder (from “Boomerang” and “Annie” movies), and others.

Clarence Williams passed away on June 4, 2021, from colon cancer, at age 81. He and Gloria Foster were the epitome of true love in Hollywood. The bond they shared – even decades after their divorce – is proof of that. May they continue to rest peacefully.

The post This “Purple Rain” Actor Once Married A “Matrix” Actress, Their Bond Was Strong Until The End appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Clarence Williams III has been in the game for many many years. As most of us know, Williams was cast in a number of major moves and some of his best work were in films like Purple Rain, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Sugar Hill, Blue Hill Avenue, and American Gangster, Williams has left his mark on the film industry. But, most fans probably have no clue he married this amazing Matrix actress…

“The Matrix” actress he was married to…

Williams III married Gloria Foster, who was best known for her performance in the box office hit The Matrix. In the film, which has grossed more than $463.5 million since its 1999 release, Foster portrayed the vital role of the “Oracle,” a mysterious older lady with the power to guide humans in The Matrix. The pivotal role serves as yet another accomplishment on Foster’s filmography. The Matrix film franchise is now considered one of the most successful in film history, with all of the films grossing more than $1,632,989,142, collectively.

At the time of her death she was in the middle of filming The Matrix Reloaded, which ultimately released in 2003. Some of Gloria’s previously filmed scenes were still included in the 2003 movie though. At her funeral, many iconic actors attended to pay homage to Gloria Foster- an actor they highly respected for her acting abilities. Author, Martin B. Duberman, commended Foster for her work in the stage play, In White America. “Gloria didn’t act the part,” said Duberman, “she embodied it. At the end of the scene each night, there were tears streaming down her face, her body was trembling, but her dignity was intact.”

One of Gloria Foster’s closest friends is the iconic Cicely Tyson…

The iconic actress, Cicely Tyson, was one of Gloria Foster’s good friends. She also spoke at Foster’s funeral, doting on her “unceasing dedication to her profession and her talent.” She also shared intimate details about their friendship revealing they often indulged in three hour-long conversations regularly.

Other celebs who spoke at Foster’s funeral included actresses Mary Alice (who ended up playing the same “Oracle” role in The Matrix Revolution after Foster passed away), the iconic Ruby Dee; and actors, Al Freeman (played Elijah Muhammad in “Malcolm X”), Geoffrey Holder (from “Boomerang” and “Annie” movies), and others.

Clarence Williams III and Gloria Foster are the epitome of true love in Hollywood. The bond they shared, even decades after their divorce, is proof of that.

The post This Legendary “Purple Rain” Actor Married An Incredible “Matrix” Movie Actress appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Many of you might remember this actor from the 1995 film, “Panthers,” where he played the late Black Panther founder, Huey P. Newton. He also starred in “The Matrix” movie (the first installment) and in “Roots” back in the day, as well as in several other roles. We knew Warner Bros. actually had him arrested after the film was released (we’ll get to that in a minute), but what we didn’t know was that his dad is a VERY popular Old School actor who we ALL know and both of them have been involved in controversies throughout the years. Check this out ILOSM fam’…

MARCUS CHONG’S DAD IS ACTOR, TOMMY CHONG (Of “Cheech And Chong)

Marcus Chong’s dad is actor, Tommy Chong! Remember him from the “Cheech and Chong” movies back in the day?!! The 83 year-old actor actually adopted Marcus in 1978. Marcus (53) is African American and Chinese and his birth father is a successful (retired) news broadcaster in San Franciso, CA. Not sure why Marcus was adopted by Tommy and his then-wife, Shelby Fiddis, but Tommy is who he knows as his father. I tell ya’ we learn something new around here everyday. SEE WHY WARNER BROS. HAD MARCUS CHONG ARRESTED…

MARCUS CHONG GOT THROWN OUT OF WARNER BROS. STUDIOS?

In an interview with IAmSoNotHollywood, Marcus Chong said Warner Bros. gave him an “illegal” non-union deal for “The Matrix” movie. The purpose of an actor being in a union, like SAG, is so they’re rights are protected and their contracts are honored. After asking Warner Bros. film producers, Larry and Andrew Wachowski about it, Chong says he was excluded from the film’s promo events and ultimately physically thrown out of the movie premiere by bodyguards at Warner Bros. Studio! After the films huge success, Chong says the producers constantly called him to do a sequel and even drew up a contract behind he and his agent’s back, but he refused to sign. Chong was resistant because:

“They [the Matrix film producers] wanted to starve me out, hold all my money, take all my residuals, not give me any pension credit, not give me any health credit, and I was upset because I had worked for Warner Bros. when I was 10 years old in “Roots,” so they had a long relationship with me,” says Chong.

Later Chong said he was “threatened” by Steven Slack, who was apparently affiliated with the producers for Warner Bros. at that time and wait ’til you see what Marcus said happened next!…

DEATH THREATS & ARRESTS?!!

Marcus Chong said after having a heated meeting with Warner Bros.’ Steven Slack, Slack called him and asked for his address and when he asked Slack what he wanted it for, Chong says that Slack told him he “couldn’t say it over the phone.” So Chong told him “I’m taking that as a threat, don’t come near my house.” After the threat, Chong got a small camera crew and went to the police station to report and document the threat by and to also report that Warner Bros. had “stolen” his money, but within 15 seconds Chong said the police arrested him instead:

“I was arrested because when Steve Slack made that invisible threat, I called Larry and Andrew Wachowski, on their voicemail and I said ‘Hey Larry, Andy, if you send anyone to my home, to fu*king harm me, I will c0me and kill you and your brother. That’s not a threat if they’re gon’ send someone to my home. But they took that and they used it as if it were a threat…anybody who comes to someone’s home, you should expect to get shot. […] I don’t own a gun, never have,” says Chong.

Chong says that Warner Bros. had sent a recording of the voicemail, along with photos of him dressed as a Black Panther from his ’95 film, “Panthers,” to the CIA, FBI, and LAPD, in an attempt to silence him from making a documentary that was going to out their allegedly shady business practices. And there it is folks…this was just a big mess. You can hear Marcus’ complete interview here.

Marcus wasn’t the only one in his fam’ with legal problems though, see why his dad, Tommy Chong, got locked up for 9 months…

TOMMY CHONG ARRESTED IN A STING OPERATION

Marcus,’ adoptive father, Tommy Chong, is another one who stands up for what he believes in and one thing he firmly believes in are the healing benefits of marijuana. He’s a pro-activist for the nationwide legalization of weed and in 2003 he had to serve time over it. After a major sting operation by the feds, Chong was arrested, along with 54 other people for shipping bongs (a marijuana smoking accessory) to the state of Pennsylvania, which was illegal at that time. He actually didn’t do it, but his other son, Paris Chong, did, and in exchange for his son and wife being set free, Chong offered a plea deal and his celebrity, which the courts happily accepted.  He ended up serving nine months in prison.

The post “The Matrix” Actor’s Dad Is An Icon…And They Were Both Arrested For Very Different Reasons appeared first on I Love Old School Music.