In this powerful episode of The Afropolitan Podcast*, Gbenga Akinnagbe —best known as Chris Partlow from The Wire pulls back the curtain on what it *really takes to survive Hollywood.

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From surviving the streets of D.C. to earning a wrestling scholarship that rerouted his life, Gbenga shares the raw truth about his journey: the odds of "making it," how only 3% of actors earn a livable income, and the emotional toll behind the spotlight.He opens up about:

• Turning down roles to protect his integrity  
• Why he believes no state should have the power to take a life  
• The role therapy played in his healing as a Black man  
• His dream to play Black Panther—and his reaction when Chadwick Boseman was cast  
• Why The Wire never won awards, but won the people  

This is more than an actor’s story it’s a lesson in power, purpose, and reclaiming your narrative.Tap in if you care about

• The business of acting  
• Legacy over fame  
• Criminal justice reform  
• Black storytelling on a global stage  

Chapters

‍00:00 – The Harsh Odds of Becoming an Actor  

‍01:00 – Growing Up in Poverty with Nigerian Parents  

‍03:40 – How Wrestling Changed His Life Path  

‍06:00 – Discovering Acting After a Government Job  

‍07:30 – The Wire: Legacy, Impact, and Being Overlooked  

‍09:50 – Preparing to Play Chris Partlow  

‍11:20 – Is Hollywood Evolving or Just Rebranding?  

‍13:50 – The Rise and Fall of Streaming Platforms  

‍15:00 – Avoiding Typecasting After The Wire  

‍16:40 – Dealing with Fame, Family, and Misconceptions  

‍18:50 – Money Myths and Humble Gifts  

‍20:10 – Learning Financial Discipline at $300 a Week  

‍21:30 – Film vs. Theater vs. TV: What Makes Each Unique  

‍23:20 – Best and Worst Roles (and Regrets)  

‍25:00 – Getting Involved in Criminal Justice Reform  

‍28:00 – What the U.S. Justice System Is Really Built For  

‍32:00 – Why He Opposes the Death Penalty—Even for the Guilty  

‍34:30 – Realizing Activism Was Personal  

‍37:00 – The Lesson He Wishes He Learned Earlier  

‍38:30 – Dream Roles: Batman, Black Panther, and Chadwick  

‍40:30 – The UK vs US Actor Debate  

‍43:00 – Therapy, Trauma, and Healing as a Black Man  

‍46:00 – Rites of Passage and What We’ve Lost  

‍48:00 – Favorite TV Shows & Movies (Not His Own)  

‍49:20 – The Role That Got Away (Hint: Jackie Robinson)  

‍50:20 – What Legacy Means to Gbenga Akinnagbe