Robert F. Chew
Encyclopedia
Robert F. Chew is an American actor from Baltimore, Maryland. He starred in the HBO television drama series The Wire
as manipulative drug kingpin Proposition Joe
on all five seasons of the show. The role has drawn acclaim for Chew both for his ability to handle the character's verbose, Dickensian dialogue and the sympathy he draws while playing a "bad guy." Chew recalls that when he auditioned the other actors were all well groomed, well dressed and thinner than he was. He later learned that the real-life inspiration for the characters was a charming and debonair drug dealer so he was surprised to have received the role. He was initially unsure as to how long the character would remain in the series and has been pleased to continue working on the show.
Chew also appeared on HBO's The Corner (created by David Simon, as was The Wire) and NBC's Homicide: Life on the Street
(based on a book by Simon). He received all three roles through the Pat Moran casting agency. Simon has described Chew as a "smart, elegant actor" and stated that he has one of the most authentic Baltimore accents on the show.
Chew has also worked with children's theatre companies throughout his career including Playworks USA and later the Arena Players. Through his association with the Arena Players, Moran began to turn to Chew for help in casting local young actors for the show. He has provided more than twenty actors and more than six have had recurring roles including Melvin Russell (who plays Jamal) and brother and sister Rashad Orange (who plays Sherrod) and Rakiya Orange who plays Charlene Young.
Chew also worked as an acting coach with several of the young actors joining the show in the fourth season and with non-professional actor Felicia "Snoop" Pearson
. As acting coach Chew was responsible for preparing the core of four new young actors Tristan Wilds
, Julito McCullum
, Maestro Harrell
and Jermaine Crawford
for their major roles in the fourth season. Chew describes his aim as helping the young actors find the roles within themselves and looking for what is real. Chew worked with Wilds to perfect the internalized build-up of emotion in his character, Michael Lee
, and to convey the character through looks and physical acting rather than dialogue. Chew has remarked that he was also impressed with Wilds' professionalism and commitment, McCullum's natural ability as Namond Brice
, Harrell's charm as Randy Wagstaff
and Crawford's honesty of performance as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. Chew finds working with young people rewarding because it allows him to see them develop and bring them to their full potential.
Chew also appeared in HBO films' Something the Lord Made
. Chew appeared on Homicide, in the three part episode "Blood Ties", playing Wilkie Collins, a drug kingpin who hates violence.
On September 5th 2011, Chew appeared on the The Bob and Dan Show
, as part of the Guest Booking League. The interview marked Chew's first appearance on KTCK
1310 The Ticket in Dallas.
The Wire (TV series)
The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States...
as manipulative drug kingpin Proposition Joe
Proposition Joe
Joseph "Proposition Joe" Stewart is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire played by actor Robert F. Chew. Joe is an Eastside drug kingpin who preferred a peaceful solution to business disputes when possible...
on all five seasons of the show. The role has drawn acclaim for Chew both for his ability to handle the character's verbose, Dickensian dialogue and the sympathy he draws while playing a "bad guy." Chew recalls that when he auditioned the other actors were all well groomed, well dressed and thinner than he was. He later learned that the real-life inspiration for the characters was a charming and debonair drug dealer so he was surprised to have received the role. He was initially unsure as to how long the character would remain in the series and has been pleased to continue working on the show.
Chew also appeared on HBO's The Corner (created by David Simon, as was The Wire) and NBC's Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street is an American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Homicide Unit. It ran for seven seasons on NBC from 1993 to 1999, and was succeeded by a TV movie, which also acted as the de-facto series finale...
(based on a book by Simon). He received all three roles through the Pat Moran casting agency. Simon has described Chew as a "smart, elegant actor" and stated that he has one of the most authentic Baltimore accents on the show.
Chew has also worked with children's theatre companies throughout his career including Playworks USA and later the Arena Players. Through his association with the Arena Players, Moran began to turn to Chew for help in casting local young actors for the show. He has provided more than twenty actors and more than six have had recurring roles including Melvin Russell (who plays Jamal) and brother and sister Rashad Orange (who plays Sherrod) and Rakiya Orange who plays Charlene Young.
Chew also worked as an acting coach with several of the young actors joining the show in the fourth season and with non-professional actor Felicia "Snoop" Pearson
Felicia Pearson
Felicia Pearson is an American actress, author, and rapper. She is best known for playing a character of the same name, Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, on The Wire. She wrote a memoir titled Grace After Midnight.-Biography:Pearson was born to two incarcerated drug addicts and raised in an East Baltimore...
. As acting coach Chew was responsible for preparing the core of four new young actors Tristan Wilds
Tristan Wilds
Tristan Paul Mack Wilds is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Michael Lee on the HBO original drama series The Wire and as Dixon Wilson on the CW drama series 90210.-Life and career:...
, Julito McCullum
Julito McCullum
Julito McCullum is an American actor of Afro-Colombian descent best known for his role as Namond Brice on the HBO series The Wire. Currently lives in Staten Island....
, Maestro Harrell
Maestro Harrell
Maestro Harrell is an American actor who starred on the HBO original series The Wire as Randy Wagstaff. He was also on the NBC drama ER on April 26, 2007....
and Jermaine Crawford
Jermaine Crawford
Jermaine Crawford is an actor best known for appearing on the HBO original series The Wire as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is a cousin to fellow Wire castmember and actor Tristan Wilds....
for their major roles in the fourth season. Chew describes his aim as helping the young actors find the roles within themselves and looking for what is real. Chew worked with Wilds to perfect the internalized build-up of emotion in his character, Michael Lee
Michael Lee (The Wire)
Michael Lee is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Tristan Wilds. He is a middle school pupil and is friends with Namond Brice, Randy Wagstaff and Duquan "Dukie" Weems. He is more soft-spoken than his friends, and appears to have a leadership role among his peers...
, and to convey the character through looks and physical acting rather than dialogue. Chew has remarked that he was also impressed with Wilds' professionalism and commitment, McCullum's natural ability as Namond Brice
Namond Brice
Namond Brice is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Julito McCullum. Namond is the son of Wee-Bey Brice and De'Londa Brice and was a middle school pupil during season 4. He is friends with Michael Lee and Randy Wagstaff and often bullies Duquan "Dukie" Weems...
, Harrell's charm as Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff
Randy Wagstaff is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by Maestro Harrell. Randy is an enterprising student who is dependent on social services. During season 4, he was an 8th grade pupil at Edward Tilghman Middle School and is friends with Namond Brice, Michael Lee and Duquan...
and Crawford's honesty of performance as Duquan "Dukie" Weems. Chew finds working with young people rewarding because it allows him to see them develop and bring them to their full potential.
Chew also appeared in HBO films' Something the Lord Made
Something the Lord Made
Something The Lord Made is a film about the black cardiac pioneer Vivien Thomas and his complex and volatile partnership with white surgeon Alfred Blalock, the world famous "Blue Baby doctor" who pioneered modern heart surgery...
. Chew appeared on Homicide, in the three part episode "Blood Ties", playing Wilkie Collins, a drug kingpin who hates violence.
On September 5th 2011, Chew appeared on the The Bob and Dan Show
BaD Radio Show
The BaD Radio Show is a midday radio program on Dallas, Texas radio station KTCK, "1310AM, The Ticket"...
, as part of the Guest Booking League. The interview marked Chew's first appearance on KTCK
KTCK
KTCK , is a sports talk radio station based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The station, currently owned by Cumulus Media, has been made popular by the incorporation of humor alongside the sports talk....
1310 The Ticket in Dallas.