by Nathaniel R
With the new comedy Little opening today in theaters and last year's beloved indie Support the Girls still fresh in the memory, let's talk Regina Hall.
The talented 48 year-old actress has been kicking around in the movies and (occasionally) on television for 20 years now, but it's only very recently that she's come into full stardom. Or, to put it another way, it's only very recently that Hollywood has realized that she's a star. Usually with slow-burn stardom, the charisma and talent were there all along but it takes a big hit movie, or a breakthrough signature part, or the cumulation of multiple moderate hits for that too happen.
It's a little of all of those with Regina Hall who spent the first decade of her career mostly well-down the hiearchical cast lists of ensemble comedies and then finally began to crack leading roles.
How many of her films have you seen? (I've included her two biggest television roles as well). Let's look at all the posters after the jump...
Act 1 - Who's that? (1999-2002)
THE BEST MAN (1999)
LOVE & BASKETBALL (2000)
SCARY MOVIE (2000)
SCARY MOVIE 2 (2001)
THE OTHER BROTHER (2002)
ALLY MCBEAL seasons 4 and 5 (2001-2002)
Act 2 She looks familiar. What's her name again? Oh yes, Regina Hall (2002-2010)
PAID IN FULL (2002)
MALIBU'S MOST WANTED (2003)
SCARY MOVIE 3 (2003)
THE KING'S RANSOM (2005)
THE HONEYMOONERS (2005)
SCARY MOVIE 4 (2006)
FIRST SUNDAY (2008)
SUPERHERO MOVIE (2008)
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN (2009)
Act 3 - 'Yay, it's Regina Hall!' (2010-2016)
Here you see real movement up the cast lists.
DEATH AT A FUNERAL (2010)
THINK LIKE A MAN (2012)
THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY (2013) - 5th billed in the big hit sequel to her debut in which she was 10th billed
ABOUT LAST NIGHT (2014) - a breakthrough. Critically well reviewed and a leading role, third billed. She gets one of the key promo posters (above) but the main poster is an ensemble collage.
THINK LIKE A MAN, TOO (2014)
PEOPLE PLACES THINGS (2015)
VACATION (2015)
BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT (2015) - Her umpteenth ensemble comedy, but now she's third billed
WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS (2016) - Her first true headliner, second billed. This is the first time the main poster is focused on her!
Act 4 - 'GET ME REGINA HALL!' (2017 -now)
GIRLS TRIP (2017) -Top billing for the first time. Huge hit.
SUPPORT THE GIRLS (2018) - Top billed. Critically beloved. Wins the NYFCC for "Best Actress" and is nominated at the Spirit Awards
THE HATE U GIVE (2018) -Supporting role but second billed.
BLACK MONDAY (season 1) on Showtime (2019)
LITTLE (2019) in theaters now. Top billing again!
What's next? SHAFT with Samuel L Jackson is coming in June and after that who knows. She's well positioned now for good material and Hollywood is much more interested in black talent than they were when her career began. But it's still Hollywood and, as ever, the competition will be fierce. But with Viola Davis, Taraji P Henson, and both Reginas (King and Hall) all in the mix for A list parts the winner will be...audiences!