David Oyelowo Turns Down A Lot of Acting Roles Because of This

David Oyelowo has been turning away certain acting roles he’s been offered.

Speaking to Access, the 44-year-old Don’t Let Go actor opened up about how he’s turned down about 80% of the parts he’s been offered.

“I live my life from the perspective of ‘I must be part of the solution and not the problem,’” David shared. “I think one of the privileges I don’t have is to just do any role I want, because I know that certain roles perpetuate stereotypes and perpetuate mindsets people have about Black people that is not helpful to all of what we’re talking about…”

He adds that he turns down “about 80 percent of what comes my way for that reason, because I understand the power storytelling and images has on culture.”

David also spoke about one of his more recognizable roles as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma.

“I felt called [by] God to do it,” he says. “I was rejected by the original director, and there were another four directors before Lee Daniels came along and cast me. And we still couldn’t get the film made.”

He added, “That was a seven-year journey and so I just had the moment of, ‘OK, Lord, if you told me to do this, you’re just gonna have to equip me. I’m gonna do the work.’”

Speaking of Selma, did you know that you can stream the movie for free right now?