Tickling the Ivy League

Chris Tucker delivers laughter and life lessons to theater class

by Dionne Montgomery

Like a persistent tickle in your side, “Rush Hour” star Chris Tucker kept his audience of faculty, staff and students laughing throughout his brief visit to campus.

The star (left, speaking with a student at the Faculty Club) came to Brown on April 19 at the invitation of President Simmons. The two met in February at a Super Bowl party at a mutual friend's home, and Tucker expressed an interest in coming to campus.

Be true to yourself and treasure your education: Those were the themes Tucker expressed when he visited Professor Lowry Marshall’s theater arts class.

"We weren't told who was coming," said Gabriel Wildau '03. "They told us someone famous would be speaking and that was it. I was surprised to hear him say how nervous he was to meet us; he was very believable."

Dressed in a pin-stripe navy suit with a powder-blue tie, the 30-year-old actor sauntered into the classroom and quickly put his star-struck audience at ease. "I'm just as excited to meet you guys," said Tucker, who was careful to shake everyone’s hand. "I never went to college. I've always been fascinated with college, which is the main reason I wanted to come here today. I admire you guys. Right now y'all are doing the most important thing, which is to learn and teach yourself discipline."

Tucker provided a refreshing deviation from a conventional lesson by offering an insider’s view into the business dealings of Hollywood. He told the class that a lot of his comedy "comes from traveling around the world meeting different people such as yourself. So basically I'm using y'all. Nah, I'm just messing with you."

His communication skills even won over Marshall, a 16-year veteran in the field. "I think he's an incredible personality, and to the kids he's just a god,” said Marshall. "My kids have both his movies but I haven't watched them. What an education for me. He's really an amazing talent and his physical comedy is very impressive."

"I thought he was really humble," said junior Maythinee Washington. "He was very approachable and upfront. I think his perspective on keeping it real while in Hollywood was fresh."

Tucker blended a steady stream of serious insight with off-the-cuff comedy, and credited his improvisational skills for some of his success. “I know what makes me laugh, so I try to put it in my act,” he said. “Sometimes that can backfire though. People just hand me any old script and say, ‘Go ahead Chris Tucker – make it funny, be funny.’”

The former self-proclaimed class clown who appeared in “Money Talks” and “The Fifth Element” expressed his desire to act in more dramatic leading roles. "Movies are very powerful and influential, especially on the kids who try to mimic me,” he said. “I've turned down a lot of movies for a lot of money, because you can get put in a box if you're not careful."

"I think Chris has taught our students to have a better appreciation for the many different paths our young people can follow," said President Simmons. "To hear a speaker such as Chris Tucker say that he is in awe of Brown students and applauds their achievements is just another example of how privileged they are to be here. His presence and his practical advice were very instructive."

Tucker will be wearing a director's hat when he begins filming his new movie, “Mr. President,” in Washington, D.C., next month. "This is my best movie yet," said Tucker. "I play the first young black president – a comedy of course," he said to a thunderous roar of laughter.

"More like a fantasy," joked Simmons.