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Before millions of Americans knew Denise Nicholas as Liz McIntyre on the groundbreaking television series Room 222, she was living through history.
Denise traveled through Mississippi and Louisiana with the Free Southern Theater during the Civil Rights Movement, an experience that put her face-to-face with violence, racism and even death threats. In this remarkably candid conversation with Steve Kmetko, Denise recalls bombs being thrown at the stage, sleeping on the floor of Fannie Lou Hamer's home because of gunfire, and the terrifying moment a police officer put a gun to her head.
Then came Hollywood.
Denise takes us behind the scenes of Room 222, shares memories of Karen Valentine and Michael Constantine, and reveals how Carol O'Connor helped turn her from an actor into a television writer on In the Heat of the Night.
She also opens up about her relationship and marriage to legendary singer-songwriter Bill Withers, the unsolved murder of her younger sister, a deeply personal secret about the father who raised her, her decision to walk away from acting, and the writing career that became her passion.
Plus, Denise reveals the current television series that might just convince her to step in front of the cameras again.
It's a remarkable life spanning the Civil Rights Movement, groundbreaking television, Hollywood, love, loss and reinvention.
This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko.
CHAPTERS
Denise Nicholas joins Still Here Hollywood
Acting wasn't remotely part of the plan
Joining the Civil Rights Movement
Fearing for her life in Mississippi
Her mother stops speaking to her
What America gets wrong about the Civil Rights era
Bombs, gunfire and Fannie Lou Hamer
From Civil Rights activist to Room 222
Racism behind the scenes in Hollywood
A police officer puts a gun to Denise's head
The truth about Lloyd Haynes
Remembering Michael Constantine and Karen Valentine
Old-school Hollywood behind the scenes
Carol O'Connor turns Denise into a writer
What happened after Room 222
Turning down demeaning Hollywood roles
Race and opportunity in Hollywood
What Carol O'Connor was really like
The murder of Denise's sister
How Denise met Bill Withers
What Bill Withers was really like
Why marriage was difficult for Denise
Her massive celebrity wedding to Jim Hill
Becoming an author
Why she called her memoir Finding Home
Why Denise walked away from acting
Freshwater Road and owning her words
The family secret she carried for decades
The role that could bring Denise back
What gives her hope
A surprise message from Tai Babilonia
Looking back at race in America
Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn
stillherehollywood.com
patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com
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