We had the good fortune of connecting with Marcus Hamm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcus, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Everything I have done that has led to my success in the entertainment industry has come from taking risks. My journey began following a severe car accident where I was ejected from a rollover SUV, leaving me temporarily debilitated. When I recovered, my first decision was to enter the world of professional wrestling and within a year’s time, I signed my first TV contract as part of the Urban Wrestling Alliance tag team champions The Black Legion which aired on UPN during its most iconic era. When I decided to move to LA, we were in a great recession. I started filmmaking during the pandemic. In every case, my choosing to take risks has paid off and continued my ascension as a producer, writer, director, and actor.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am CEO of Urban Renaissance Entertainment, a concept that I developed in 2003 where at the time my focus was on developing urban-themed professional wrestling projects including films and documentaries. Over the years I’ve had a number of near hits that continue to tell me that I’m on the right track and that it’s simply a matter of time. In 2003 I filmed a pilot episode of a professional wrestling show that nearly made it onto BET. In 2008 I worked with a team of incredible producers to develop a wrestling documentary show that followed a famous professional wrestling family, but this too was just a near hit. In 2020 I turned my business toward filmmaking with my first project being a fan-fiction short titled The Black League of Superheroes. Immediately following, I co-produced and co-starred in Heaven’s Revenge, I Love You to Death alongside LaNease Adams which was my first project to receive distribution on Tubi, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV. Now I have my second fan-fiction film, Triggered, a Cinematic Superhero Fan Film in the festival circuit having amassed already 25 awards in half a year, while The Black League of Superheroes won a total of 27 awards. Now I have several projects in development including a Co-starring role as Adam Payne in the action western series called, The S.I.N.S, Seminole Indian Negro Scouts based on true American history.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d plan a week of adventure. I’d start with a ride out to Apple Valley to visit D6 Ranch to experience life as it was before tech became so dominant. Go on a horse ride, cook out on the grill, and enjoy nature. Then I’d head back into the city and have some fun at Universal Studios Hollywood. Along the way, we’d stop and have some chicken from Kleetus’ Chicken Shack and later on, grab a Voodoo Donut. Then of course it would be time to get out to the water and visit Santa Monica Pier. We’d enjoy the carnival, hang out on the beach and check out a movie. Then we’d head out to Hollywood and experience both Chateau Marmont and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotels. Hang out at the Spare Room, have drinks at the bars including the Tropicana, then hit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Wax Museum. And finally, we’d head over to LA Live and have some soul food from Fixins, then enjoy a live event whether it’s a Laker game, WWE, or a live concert.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my Shoutout to Kevin Jiggets, an incredible Actor and friend who was there at the start of my acting journey teaching Acting for Film and Television along with Ken Arnold in 2007 in Maryland. Over the years Kevin has been a true friend who not only allowed me to witness how it’s done with his own many accolades on stage and screen, but he returned to the acting coaching world in support of my own Acting for Film and Television workshop in 2022.

Website: www.urbanrenaissanceentertainment.com

Instagram: @marcusneljamalhamm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcushamm/

Twitter: @UrbanRenaissan4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcushammactor/

Youtube: @urbanrenaissanceentertainmentl

Image Credits
R. Ray Robinson, Matt Ishzuka, Anthony Bryce Photography

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