Actor Blair Underwood recently opened up about the role he calls “the one that got away” during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. In a candid conversation with host Jennifer Hudson, Underwood revealed his disappointment over missing the chance to star in the hit film Dreamgirls, which ultimately helped launch Hudson’s film career. “I wanted so badly to do that movie,” Underwood shared, referring to the role of Curtis Taylor Jr., a character later brought to life by Jamie Foxx.
Blair Underwood Says It’s “The Role That Got Away”
Underwood recalled how Dreamgirls director Bill Condon attended a Broadway performance of Purlie, in which Underwood starred, with the intention of evaluating him for the part. “My agent set it up so [Condon] could watch me, and he was considering me for the role,” Underwood explained. In an ironic twist, his Purlie co-star Anika Noni Rose landed a role in Dreamgirls as Lorrell Robinson, while Underwood’s dream was put on hold. “For a week, [Condon] said if the soundtrack issues with Jamie weren’t resolved, the role was mine,” he added. However, once the contract issues were cleared, Foxx secured the part.
Reflecting on the situation, Underwood expressed his mixed feelings, noting his admiration for Foxx’s performance while acknowledging his own limitations. “I can carry a tune,” Underwood laughed, “but I can’t sing like Jamie.”
Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her role as Effie White, assured Underwood that it would have been “an honor to work with him” had the casting played out differently. “Jamie is Jamie,” she acknowledged, but emphasized that Underwood’s impact on fans and his successful career speak volumes. Underwood’s extensive acting credits include the NBC drama L.A. Law and, more recently, Three Women on STARZ.
Although he missed out on Dreamgirls, Underwood remains enthusiastic about his career and grateful for the opportunities he’s had. Reflecting on the “what ifs” of his Dreamgirls experience, he told Hudson, “I think of it as a blessing in disguise.”