Gay Actor Brian Simons Plays Infamous Watergate Plotter Jeb Stuart Magruder in Spike Lee's Newest Joint, "SHE HATE ME"
For Simons, an openly gay actor and activist, working on SHE HATE ME marked a convergence of the personal, political and professional. "Bringing to light the vanity and abuse of power epitomized by Watergate and men like Jeb Stuart Magruder in a film that explores gay parenting, corporate corruption and sex was, to say the least, a juicy undertaking."
New York, NY (PRWEB) August 4, 2004
Dramatic and historic irony abounded as actor Brian Simons strolled down the red carpet with his partner of ten years Andrew Brown at the premiere of Spike Lee's new film SHE HATE ME. In the film, which opens this week in New York and LA and around the nation on August 13, Simons plays the role of Jeb Stuart Magruder, Nixon's Deputy Campaign Director and a key Watergate conspirator.
For Simons, an openly gay actor and activist, working on SHE HATE ME marked a convergence of the personal, political and professional. "Bringing to light the vanity and abuse of power epitomized by Watergate and men like Jeb Stuart Magruder in a film that explores gay parenting, corporate corruption and sex was, to say the least, a juicy undertaking."
Brian Simons has appeared on stage across the nation, in studio and independent films, and in such TV series as LAW & ORDER: SVU, AS THE WORLD TURNS and SEX AND THE CITY. Through his acting work and support of LGBT health, service and civil rights organizations like the PBS gay and lesbian TV newsmagazine IN THE LIFE, Lambda Legal, and the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, Simons has worked to raise awareness and positive visibility of the gay and lesbian community.
Simons was drawn to SHE HATE ME because the film deconstructs America's current corporate and political culture, where the elite will stop at nothing in their pursuit of money and power, including the use of sexual orientation as a weapon against their opponents. Simons states, "To eradicate this type of homophobia is precisely why I work on and support projects that show the true face of the gay and lesbian community. LGBT people are everyday Americans living and working, raising families and contributing to society like everyone else."
SHE HATE ME likens the political climate that produced Watergate's Magruder (played by Simons in the film) to our current, corrupt political and corporate culture, personified by Enron's Ken Lay. This is, indeed, particularly timely subject matter as America gears up for our 2004 Presidential elections and this summer marks the 30th anniversary of Richard Nixon's resignation due to his participation in Watergate confirmed by, among other things, the damning testimony of key Whitehouse aide Jeb Magruder.
Simons felt strongly about SHE HATE ME, because the film not only explores corporate and government greed, but it also discusses the real meaning of family values. "Corporate giants like Enron and Worldcom, government administrations like Nixon's in which Magruder served and now Bush's administration have all invoked 'family values' in their platforms and yet have betrayed America's sense of trust. Meanwhile, these same administrations, with corporate interests close at hand, deny gay and lesbian people -- who wish to create families based on real values of love and trust -- the freedom to marry, adoption rights and equal access to healthcare."
Lee worked with casting director Kim Coleman to make his final actor choices, including that of Simons for the role of Jeb Magruder. Preston Holmes, a producer who worked with Lee on SHE HATE ME and several other projects comments, "Casting has always been one of Spike's strong points. He has a unique skill to spot and recognize talent." Lee offers, "I've always wanted to be in a position where our films can be a vehicle, a launching pad for young talented people who need a shot. There's an abundance of talent, but not an abundance of good roles. So with the opportunity we had there are a couple of roles for each film that we can really let some young hungry talented person shine. This is part of the agenda, so we have always tried to do that. I think it's something the audience loves when they feel they are part of the discovery. People want to see familiar faces, but at the same time they want to see new fresh faces too."
On working with one of the most talented and acclaimed filmmakers of our time Simons states, "Spike Lee is an amazing artist who knows what he wants and instinctively knows what works on film. On set he's very serious and all about the work. His vision is very specific, but he also allowed me to stretch my wings and to be as creative and spontaneous as possible. It was a joy and an honor to work with him."
SHE HATE ME, much like FAHRENHEIT 9/11, draws powerful parallels between corporate and government corruption and the state of 'family values' in America today. The lust for power by men like Watergate conspirator Jeb Stuart Magruder (Brian Simons) is compared to our current administration's antics, as well as the kind of corruption behind the recent implosion of corporate giants like Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, Adelphia, ImClone and Martha Stewart herself. Simons adds, "An openly gay actor and liberal activist like me playing conservative Nixon crony Jeb Stuart Magruder is the ultimate dramatic and historic irony. This freedom and diversity is what makes America great."
ABOUT BRIAN SIMONS:
Brian Simons is an actor, writer and producer who has performed on New York, national and international stages. On-screen credits include SHE HATE ME (Spike Lee, Director), KINSEY (Bill Condon, Director), LAW & ORDER: SVU, SEX AND THE CITY, AS THE WORLD TURNS, GOOD DAY NEW YORK, commercials, industrial/independent films, and the Emmy-nominated PBS series IN THE LIFE. Simons graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama. His feature-length screenplay UNLIKELY COWBOYS was a New Century Writers Award Finalist. He is currently at work on his solo play QUEER IN THE USA. He resides in Jersey City, NJ with his partner of 10 years, Andrew Brown.
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