Monica Calhoun: Her Roots And Rise To Fame

In the 2013 comedy-drama film The Best Man Holiday, Monica Calhoun plays Mia Sullivan, the terminally ill wife of Lance Sullivan, played by Morris Chestnut. Calhoun, an American film and television actress born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began her acting career in 1985 and has since appeared in over 18 movies and 28 television roles.

Monica Calhoun's character Mia dies in the film

In the 2013 comedy-drama film "The Best Man Holiday," Monica Calhoun's character, Mia Sullivan, dies at the end of the film. Mia is the wife of Morris Chestnut's character, Lance Sullivan.

Mia is terminally ill with cancer, and her condition is a central plot point in the movie. She invites Harper, Robyn, and the rest of their friends for Christmas, hoping to mend fences and reunite the group. However, her illness takes a turn for the worse during their gathering, and she eventually passes away, leaving her friends and family to grieve and reflect on their own lives.

Mia's death serves as a catalyst for character growth and the exploration of themes such as friendship, healing, and forgiveness. It also adds emotional depth to the film, allowing the characters and the audience to confront the reality of loss and the importance of cherishing loved ones.

The decision to kill off Mia was made by writer and director Malcolm D. Lee, who explained that he wanted to tell a story where Black characters could openly express their emotions. He also acknowledged the impact of cancer on his own life, as both his parents had been affected by the disease.

Calhoun herself welcomed the challenge of portraying Mia's journey and found that the role prompted her to connect with her own family and friends, some of whom had experienced cancer or lost loved ones to the disease.

Calhoun's performance receives praise

American actress Monica Calhoun was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1971. She is best known for her roles in the films Bagdad Cafe (1987), The Players Club (1998), The Salon (2005), The Best Man (1999), and its sequel The Best Man Holiday (2013). Calhoun has had a commendable career, with over 18 movie roles and 28 television appearances.

Calhoun played the role of Mia Sullivan, the wife of Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnut), in The Best Man Holiday. In the film, Mia is terminally ill and dies at the end. Calhoun's performance received praise from critics, who commended the cast's performances, Lee's direction, and the film's dramatic elements. The film was a commercial success, grossing $72.8 million worldwide.

In a Rolling Out interview, Calhoun revealed that she was "all in" when presented with the opportunity to star in the sequel to The Best Man. She felt that she could balance her busy life with the film's demands and that her personal experiences aligned with what her character, Mia, was going through. Calhoun described the role as a challenge, as she had to figure out how to portray life, new beginnings, reuniting with friends, and transformation.

When asked about her thoughts on her performance, Calhoun admitted that she is usually very critical of herself. However, she felt that director Malcolm Lee did a wonderful job of portraying the reunification of friendship and exploring themes of healing and forgiveness. The Best Man Holiday also had a personal impact on Calhoun, as it inspired her to reconnect with family and friends, especially those dealing with cancer or the loss of loved ones.

Calhoun is born in Philadelphia

Monica Calhoun, the American film and television actress, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 29, 1971. She is best known for her roles in films such as "Bagdad Cafe" (1987), "The Players Club" (1998), "The Best Man" (1999), and its sequel, "The Best Man Holiday" (2013). Calhoun has had a successful career, with over 18 movie roles and 28 television appearances to her name.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Growing up in Philadelphia, Calhoun moved to California in the late 1970s and began her acting career in the sixth grade. She attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she nurtured her talent. Her first acting role came in 1985, playing Wanda in the TV film "Children of the Night." This debut role marked the beginning of a prolific career in both film and television.

Notable Film and Television Appearances

In 1987, Calhoun portrayed Phyllis, the daughter of CCH Pounder's character, in "Bagdad Cafe." She was the only actor from the film to return for the television series adaptation, where her character's name was changed to Debbie. The series lasted for two seasons before its cancellation. Calhoun went on to play Rebbie Jackson in the 1992 biopic miniseries "The Jacksons: An American Dream."

In addition to her film roles, Calhoun has also made guest appearances on several sitcoms, including "The Wayans Bros.," "A Different World," and "The Jamie Foxx Show," playing the role of Foxx's sister. She has also taken on dramatic roles, such as in the CBS Schoolbreak Special "Different Worlds: A Story of Interracial Love" (1993), for which she received an Emmy Award nomination.

"The Best Man" and "The Best Man Holiday"

Calhoun's most notable film roles include Mia, the wife of Morris Chestnut's character, in "The Best Man" (1999) and its sequel, "The Best Man Holiday" (2013). In the sequel, Mia is terminally ill and passes away at the end of the film. Calhoun's powerful performance in the first film earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture in 2000.

Other Projects and Accolades

Calhoun has also appeared in films such as "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" (1993), "Love & Basketball" (2000), and "The Salon" (2005). She has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award, recognizing her exceptional talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.

Personal Life

On a personal note, Calhoun gave birth to a son in 2000. Her son is blind, and she has worked to connect with other family members and friends facing similar challenges or dealing with cancer.

Calhoun's first acting role is in 1985

Monica Calhoun was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 29, 1971. She moved to California in the late 1970s and began acting in the sixth grade. Calhoun's first acting role was in 1985, at the age of 13, when she played Wanda in the TV film Children of the Night.

Since her debut, Calhoun has gone on to have a successful career in both film and television. She has appeared in over 18 movies and 28 television roles. Calhoun is best known for her roles in Bagdad Cafe (1987), The Players Club (1998), The Salon (2005), The Best Man (1999), and its sequel, The Best Man Holiday (2013).

In addition to her film and television roles, Calhoun has also ventured into theatre. She has starred in various BET dramatic roles and stage plays, including a production based on author Eric Jerome Dickey's book Friends and Lovers.

Calhoun's talent and versatility as an actress have earned her recognition and accolades. She has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. Her performance in The Best Man earned her a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture in 2000.

Not only is Calhoun a talented performer, but she is also a proud mother. She gave birth to a son in 2000, who is blind. Juggling her career and personal life, Calhoun finds balance through careful planning and scheduling.

Calhoun attends the film's premiere

On December 7, 2022, Monica Calhoun attended the premiere of The Best Man: The Final Chapters at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles. Calhoun, who played Mia in The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday, joined her co-stars Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Melissa De Sousa, Harold Perrineau, and Terrence Howard for a reunion on the red carpet.

The Best Man: The Final Chapters is a Peacock series that serves as a follow-up to the 1999 film The Best Man and its 2013 sequel, The Best Man Holiday. Calhoun's character, Mia, died in the 2013 sequel, a choice that director and screenwriter Malcolm D. Lee deemed necessary, stating, "I wanted to really tell a story where Black folks got to emote at the movie theater. We don't get a chance to do that very often, so I wanted it to happen, and it wasn't going to happen with any other character as much as it would with Mia."

Calhoun, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began her acting career in 1985 and has since appeared in over 18 films and 28 television roles. She made her acting debut in the 1985 TV film Children of the Night and has received nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award. In addition to her role in The Best Man franchise, she is also known for her performances in Bagdad Cafe (1987), The Players Club (1998), and Love & Basketball (2000).

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