Meet Llewellyn C. Radford II | Actor, Writer, Entertainer, and Inspirer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Llewellyn C. Radford II and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Llewellyn C., why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe God blessed me with gifts and talents to share with the world…and it’s my job to do just that. Along the way I realized I was meant to inspire people and I found that out by simply pursuing my passion which is acting.

Originally, I wanted to be famous until I fell in love with the craft of acting. I was modeling in college and I knew I would fall into acting at some point but I didn’t really know how. My mother saw the casting for the movie, “The Box”, starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden and I went to the casting at a hotel in Hampton, VA. I was cast as Special Ops Number 9, I was extremely excited! I knew I had found something that I was passionate about because I was willing to be on time and early. I was never enthused about 8am classes in college but a 7am call time on that film and I was there early!!! Then I moved to Chicago and began taking acting classes, that’s when I realized this bug I caught was real and it wasn’t about the fame at all. It was something I loved, something I was willing to learn, and give everything I had.

I moved to LA a year later, in 2009, and I risked it all for this new found passion! And as I grew I learned more about myself, I learned that inspiration was apart of my journey and God was doing a new thing in my life! So I continued to pursue this craft while learning more about myself. It became bigger than me, this acting thing became an artistic umbrella and driving force simultaneously that I found my passion for inspiring others. That is the bigger picture! So now I’m an actor, writer, entertainer, and inspirer. That’s why I pursued an artistic and creative career. I’m meant to inspire people and change the world! It’s just in me!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, I’m an actor first but writing is another facet that is apart of me. They are both therapeutic art forms for me. They work hand in hand in my life but acting is the vehicle that drives everything else. I love acting, there’s nothing like bringing characters to life, bringing true emotion to a character and just being that character. I love to create, I love to be, I enjoy putting the work into being whoever I’m called to be! I have taken the time to create my own characters and projects with short film and writing. It’s all art to me. I create because I love it but also because I’m not a spectator. I refuse to just sit back and wait for others to create opportunity for me. I often say, spectating is my least favorite sport! I’m a doer, the only thing I watch is tv and film! I have to get in the door one way or another but I’m definitely not waiting on someone to open the door for me. If it happens so be it but it won’t be because I just sat back and waited. I take action. I create.

My first book, Dream On Dreamers: A Book of Inspiration is one of my biggest accomplishments. It’s not just because I wrote a book but the nature of the book. This book was originally poems that I wrote to inspire myself along the way. I had to push myself daily! I had no clue that I was inspiring so many until I found out. I then realized I had to put this book of inspiration together and get it out to the people! When you understand that there’s a bigger picture and it’s bigger than you, you find a different respect for life in general but definitely for your art. I understood that early on and it became a driving force for me. It has not been easy but through my faith, passion, and art I have been able to continue on and not quit! I want the world to know that God gives us all different talents and abilities but it’s not necessarily about the talent and ability itself, it’s about what you do with them, how you work them, how you treat them! We are meant to be of service to one another. The more you give the more you get back and it ain’t always about money at all. I’m about inspiration, I’m about pushing others to be great. Within that I continue to pursue greatness. How could I ever quit or give up knowing that I have a job to do, I have purpose here on this earth, which is to inspire as many people as I can. These gifts and talents that God blessed me with weren’t meant to be kept to myself but they were meant to be shared with the world and I will continue to do just that!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, LA is such an amazing place and there are so many things to do. When people come in town, I find myself trying to show them everything but we obviously can never accomplish that. I’ve lived here for 12 years this year and I’ve yet to see everything. Nevertheless I usually make sure people see the main things. You can’t come to LA and not see the beach, Hollywood, the mountains, and the lavish or luxurious lifestyle. With that in mind, I love going to Santa Monica and riding bikes to both Venice and Malibu. There’s nothing like being on the ocean front, I absolutely love it! We also have to experience Hollywood, most people know me as Hollywood Lue so they come here expecting the Hollywood experience anyway. So whether it be a club or bar we’re definitely hitting the Hollywood scene. Runyon Canyon is a must for everyone on their visit, the sense of accomplishment when reaching the top is just as amazing as the scenery when you’re up there! And how can you come to Los Angeles without going to Beverly Hills? Whether shopping, eating, or just riding through looking at the amazing homes…it’s something you have to do and see while here.

When it comes to food, I always make sure we get burritos, good breakfast, soulfood, and healthy cuisine. My goto places are usually Casita Taco Al Carbon for their amazing asada burrito, Blu Jam for their french toast or Sweet Chick for their chicken and waffles, Fish Dish for their grilled catfish, and Comfort LA or Stevie’s Creole Cafe for everything on their menus, respectfully!

I love to eat and I love to have fun and we obviously do a lot of that here in LA! The weather is amazing and there’s plenty of opportunity, hence the fact that I came on a one way ticket and I’m still here almost 12 years later!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a few people I’d like to recognize or give credit to in my story. My family and friends have supported me and believed in me along the way. The book the Alchemist has been very instrumental. However, two people that stand out are my friend Tamra Sease and my mother, Alexis Carter.

Tamra Sease is like a big sister, I met her in college. She got me into modeling which eventually led to acting. I like to believe that I may have never realized that being an actor or being in entertainment was real had it not been for Tam pushing me into modeling.

Then is the biggest support I’ve had all my life and especially throughout my career, my momma! My momma, Alexis Carter is one of the strongest people, if not the strongest person I know. She has believed in me and pushed me my entire life. But as I have been on this journey of acting and entertainment my momma has been the most consistent support I’ve had. If she has wavered at all I haven’t really seen it. She may have suggested I get a regular job a few times along the way but she never told me to quit, she always sent money or got me stuff I needed, or paid for classes, or head shots, or reels…whatever was necessary that she could help with, she did! Especially with my father dying before I could ever really get going as an actor, I know it has to be challenging as a parent being the only one alive to actually assist on this journey but she’s done it and she’s done it amazingly. But not only has she helped me with things I needed financially, my mother has been an example. I know how not to quit because of her, I know how to stay strong because of her, I know how to keep my faith in God because of her. She’s just amazing and I’m thankful to have her as my mother, friend, and support.

I’m appreciative for everyone who has supported or believed in me along the way. So many contributors to my journey. My brothers and sisters, my grandmothers, my aunts and uncle, my best friends, close friends, and even associates. I have slept on couches and floors. I have been sent money for food or just to get by. I am so grateful and I thank everyone along the way. My manager, who has been with me the last 2 years deserves credit as well. She is just amazing and I give her credit as well because she truly believes in me! They all deserve recognition and credit in my story so Thank You All, I Love You All, I Appreciate You All, and God Bless You All!

Most of all, I thank God! I am nothing without him, he has kept me the entirety of my life. This journey has been challenging, this field ain’t easy but God is amazing and perfect! He knows exactly what we need. He gave me my mother, he put Tam in my life. He put it on the heart of all those people who have helped me or inspired me along the way. Without my faith, I don’t know where I’d be so Jesus Christ, my Lord and savior gets the ultimate credit and recognition in my story!

Website: Www.llewellynradford.com

Instagram: @llewellynradford

Twitter: @hollywoodlue

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