You probably know who Reuben Cannon is. He’s worked in some of Hollywood’s biggest films like The Color Purple, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and What’s Love Got to Do With It. Cannon had humble beginnings in the industry and worked his way into casting and producing positions. In this article, we trace his career trajectory and highlight the films he’s worked on and acting stars whose careers he launched.
People Also Read: Lewis Latimer: Get to Know Why He Was More Than an Inventor
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Reuben Cannon’s Early Life
Reuben Cannon was born on 11 February 1946 in Chicago. He went to Dunbar High School and later studied at Southeast City College. In Chicago, Cannon honed his skills as a mail person before getting a job at Universal Studios in the same capacity.
He grounded his work on three principles:
- To deliver the papers daily without fail. The weather isn’t an excuse.
- Know your customers.
- Don’t get robbed of your dreams.
His ambitions were to move out of the delivery room into other roles in Hollywood. He moved to Los Angeles, California, from Chicago at a time when the realization of the lack of diversity and inclusion began.
People Also Read: Scott Joplin: The King of Ragtime’s 7 Incredible Compositions
You can get film-based books on Amazon.
Reuben Cannon’s Hollywood Career
When you join a new environment, getting oriented helps you to settle faster. Cannon says that even though there weren’t many mentors, partly because of the lack of proper black representation at the time, he found an advisor.
The film producer remembered his uncle’s tips which he says, never failed him in Chicago. The tip was “go to the places you want to work after payday” because some employees would be nursing their hangovers and you’ll be available for the job. This trick worked like a charm and got several jobs.
He applied it at Universal Studios. Because people got paid every day he decided to be there every day. The budding filmmaker sat outside the reception, waiting for an opening.
After a few months, Cannon split his time between Warner Brothers and Universal Studios. His perseverance eventually paid off. He got a temporary position, which then became a full-time position at the mailroom of Universal Studios. This came after two employees couldn’t return to deliver the mail and marked the beginning of his successful entertainment career.
Six months later, the former casting director turned producer landed the role of the head of personnel in the tour division. But, as the position was fairly new, Cannon remained in the mailroom.
Join our Spotcovery Global Black Community Facebook Group for early access to exclusive content and to share in a lively discussion.
Becoming a Casting Director
The mailroom was the recruitment center for the studios and it always considered the mailmen before looking elsewhere. A casting trainee position opened in the casting department. Cannon and two colleagues applied and their applications landed on Ralph Winter’s desk, a man Cannon delivered mail.
Winters, who had interacted with him, hired him because he was the right person for it. He ignored applicants who had recommendations from influential people in Hollywood and those with connections.
Cannon was Hollywood’s first black casting trainee and casting director. However, this groundbreaking moment had its pressures. If he didn’t get it right, it would make it harder for others to get opportunities. He used his position to bring in more black people into the industry.
People Also Read: Skeleton Tribe: 8 Interesting Facts About the Chimbu People of New Guinea
Learn more about filmmaking by buying books on Amazon.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Art of Casting
Reuben Cannon’s aim in casting was to understand the actors and actresses he worked with to create an enjoyable environment. Additionally, he used what he defined as the “Ray Charles Syndrome” to find exceptional talent during auditions.
Cannon worked as Universal’s casting director until 1978. He was also Warner Brothers’ Head of Television Casting. After 1978, he started his own casting agency, Reuben Cannon & Associates.
He worked and earned credit for launching the careers of many stars.
- Oprah Winfrey
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Bruce Willis
- Danny Glover
- Michael J. Foxx
Some of his casting credits include:
- Promised Land
- Touched by an Angel
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- Desperado
- What’s Love Got to Do With It?
- The Color Purple
- Village of the Damned
- The Josephine Baker Story
- Moonlighting
People Also Read: 6 Interesting Facts About the Lalibela Church in Ethiopia
Get filming equipment on Amazon.
Shifting From Casting to Producing
Reuben Cannon shifted to producing content in the 1980s. The lack of appreciation for casting directors underpinned this change. During award ceremonies, they are rarely acknowledged, so he and others “work in the shadows” as he puts it.
Additionally, casting directors never get ongoing royalties like the actors do. Once they’ve delivered their work, they get paid and they move on to other projects. Cannon says it shouldn’t be this way.
Cannon split his time between casting and learning the craft of film production. He let the film directors know that, so they’d let him join the set. His first production was Get on the Bus. Initially, he, together with Spike Lee and Reggie Bythewood funded the film. Will Smith, Danny Glover, Wesley Snipes and Robert Guillaume later joined the investment team.
This was the first Hollywood film fully funded by black men. The film traced a trip of black men from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. where they attended The Million Man March. He also produced his own films:
- Down on the Delta
- Women of Brewster Place
- Dancing in September
The American film producer worked on Tyler Perry’s shows and Tyler Perry Studios. He executively produced “House of Payne.”
Reuben Cannon’s Awards
Cannon has received acknowledgement for his work. They include:
- 2002: Morehouse College, honorary doctorate
- 2002: The Chrysler Group, Behind the Lens Award
- 1986: Artios Award, Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film Casting – Drama
- Humanitas, Film Award, for Dancing in September (nomination)
Reuben Cannon earned his place in Hollywood. From delivering mail to becoming a top casting director and producer, he’s an inspiration to everyone. He played a big role in promoting diversity and inclusion.
Nearly 80% of consumers visit directories with reviews to find a local business. List your business for free in our exclusive Spotcovery Black-Owned Business Directory.
Spotcovery offers unique and fresh daily content on Black culture, lifestyle, and experiences. We talk about everything black, black people, black-owned and black-owned businesses. We also deliver authentic and relevant content that will inform, inspire, and empower you! The future of black media is critical to today’s black experience! Our primary audience includes African Americans, Africans, Afro-Caribbean, and people of African heritage. Black culture is for the culture!
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
