Thirty years ago, Spike Lee famously cast Halle Berry in her first movie role.
I would guess it was sometime during the casting process forJungle Fever.
SPIKE LEE:I think you came in what, five, six times?
Halle Berry; Spike Lee.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Mike Marsland/WireImage
HALLE BERRY:It was many.
LEE:It was more than once.
And you were just too fine in my mind to be a two-dollar crack ho.
Spike Lee and Halle Berry on the New York set of the 1991 drama ‘Jungle Fever,’ Berry’s big-screen debut.Universal/Photofest
So when they say, “What was your breakthrough?”
To be in aSpike Leemovie, at the time that was huge.
LEE:People told me that scene, it gave them nightmares.
That’s how hellish it was.
But we did not want to glamorize that s—, which was destroying Black and brown communities.
We’re still dealing with the devastation of crack.
That was our pandemic, you might say.
And I’m not saying some-thing that the world doesn’t know.
You always had something very strong to say, and you would unabashedly say it.
LEE:Halle, you know me and you go way back.
So I’m not going to be telling you no bulls—.
We got a history.
It was an honor…. And when I saw it, I was like, “Oh.
This is hot.”
You’re playing a boxer, and I heard that you got a broken rib or something.
But you persevered like, “What’s up?”
Just did your thing.
BERRY:Oh, Spike.
Well, you were the first person I called.
And you know why?
And you would shoot me straight.
And there’s something you told me that I went back and fixed.
you should probably get rid of those cheesy heartbeat sounds."
You said, “Trust your performances.
Get rid of all that cheesy s—.”
[Laughs]
LEE:Well, that might have been a little too harsh.
Give criticism with love.
So I really make a run at be constructive.
L-O-V-E, not H-A-T-E, you know?
BERRY:And you gave me that.
You filled me up.
Everything that you said I took to real heart, and I went back to the editing room.
LEE:Now, so are you just acting in this new film [the sci-fi adventure taleMothership]?
I doubt I’ll ever act and direct again.
I mean, this had to happen this way.
LEE:First time directing, acting, and you’re leading a film, too.
There were so many things that I had to work against and deal with on the daily.
I’m glad I did it, but I’ll never do it again.
LEE:Hold up, hold up, hold up.
Let’s not use the wordneverright now.
BERRY:Well…
LEE:Here’s the thing, though, Halle.
You were built for it.
Can I repeat that?
You were built for this.
So don’t use the word never.
BERRY:You’re right.
I should have learned that by now.
Will we ever get to see you two reunite on screen?
BERRY:Oh, I’m dying to do that.
Spike just has to find a role and ask me, and I’m there.
LEE:Listen, you’re still in Boston?
You got to come to Martha’s Vineyard.
I’ve had a house there 20 years.
And Black folks, we’re all up in there.
BERRY:I know!
People have been telling me that.
But the problem is on my weekends I have fight rehearsals.
LEE:Fight rehearsal?
You’re fighting again?
BERRY:Yes, it’s my new thing, Spike.
Haven’t you heard?
I’m now an action hero.
[Laughs]
LEE:Alright, sis.
You’re not one of those people.
And don’t wear a Yankee hat!
BERRY:[Laughs] Okay, Spike.
I’m staying neutral in Boston.
LEE:I hope to see you soon.
You know I’ll always love you.
BERRY:Aw, thanks.
You know I love you, forever and ever and ever.
To read more on Halle Berry,order the September issueofEntertainment Weeklyor find it on newsstands beginning Aug. 20.
