The Best Man: Monica Calhoun's Absence Explored

Actress Monica Calhoun is best known for her roles in films such as Bagdad Cafe, The Players Club, and The Best Man, in which she played Mia Morgan. Calhoun received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in The Best Man. Despite her successful career, little is known about her personal life, as she tends to stay out of the press unless it's about her work. In The Best Man: Final Chapters, Calhoun's character Mia is absent due to her death from cancer in the previous sequel, The Best Man Holiday.

Monica Calhoun played Mia, wife of Morris Chestnut's character

In the 1999 film The Best Man, Monica Calhoun played Mia, the wife of Morris Chestnut's character, Lance. Calhoun's performance earned her a nomination for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture in 2000. Calhoun reprised her role in the 2013 sequel, The Best Man Holiday, in which her character is terminally ill and dies.

Calhoun's character, Mia, is a key member of the friend group that is central to the story of The Best Man and its sequel. In the first film, Mia is established as a strong female character and the matriarch of her family. In The Best Man Holiday, Mia's terminal illness and death serve as a poignant storyline that adds depth to the film.

Calhoun's performance in The Best Man Holiday was well-received, with director Malcolm D. Lee praising her ability to evoke emotion in the audience. In an interview, Calhoun herself described embracing the challenge of portraying a character facing life and death, as well as the internal struggles and strengths of a matriarch.

In the 2022 limited series The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Calhoun's character Mia is notably absent, having passed away from cancer in the previous instalment. However, the actress did make a brief appearance in the series, reprising her role in a flashback sequence.

Outside of the Best Man franchise, Calhoun is known for her roles in films such as Bagdad Cafe (1987), The Players Club (1998), Love & Basketball (2000), and The Salon (2005). She has also appeared in various television shows and web series, including Diary of a Single Mom.

Calhoun's character Mia dies at the end of the 2013 sequel

In the 2013 sequel to The Best Man, titled The Best Man Holiday, Monica Calhoun's character Mia dies at the end. Mia, the wife of Lance, played by Morris Chestnut, is terminally ill and passes away from cancer. The film explores the emotional impact of Mia's death on Lance and the wider friend group.

The sequel picks up with Lance still mourning his wife, and the audience is given a glimpse into his grieving process through a series of flashbacks and dream sequences. Calhoun's performance in the film was well-received, and she received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture in 2000 for her portrayal of Mia in the first film.

The death of Mia in the sequel added a layer of depth to the story and allowed for the exploration of themes such as life, death, internal struggle, healing, and forgiveness. It also provided an opportunity for the characters to showcase their strength and resilience in the face of tragedy.

The Best Man Holiday served as a heartfelt tribute to Calhoun's character, and her absence in the subsequent limited series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, was felt by both the characters and the audience. Despite her character's death, Calhoun made a brief appearance in The Final Chapters through a flashback scene, reminding viewers of the enduring impact of Mia's life and her ongoing presence in the hearts of those who loved her.

The decision to include Mia's death in the sequel was a significant narrative choice that not only added emotional depth to the story but also showcased the exceptional acting abilities of Calhoun and her co-stars as they navigated the complexities of loss and healing.

Calhoun's performance in the sequel was well-received

American actress Monica Calhoun is known for her roles in films such as *Bagdad Cafe*, *The Players Club*, and *Love & Basketball*. She portrayed Mia, the wife of Morris Chestnut's character, in the 1999 film *The Best Man* and its 2013 sequel, *The Best Man Holiday*. In the latter, Calhoun's character is terminally ill and dies at the end of the film.

Calhoun's performance in *The Best Man Holiday* left a lasting impression on audiences and critics. Her ability to convey the emotional depth of her character's journey earned her praise. The director of the film, Malcolm D. Lee, had high praise for Calhoun, stating that she was the key to getting people emotional about *Best Man Holiday*." He further emphasised their love for the actress and her talent, expressing his regret that she could not be a part of the subsequent instalments due to the narrative direction of the story.

In addition to her powerful performance in the film, Calhoun also impressed fans with her ability to stay out of the press and maintain a low profile when not promoting her work. This added to the overall positive reception of her performance, as it created a sense of intrigue and allowed her acting to speak for itself.

The impact of Calhoun's performance in *The Best Man Holiday* extended beyond the film itself. Her character's storyline and the emotional depth she brought to the role resonated with audiences, contributing to the overall success of the sequel and solidifying her place as a key member of the ensemble cast.

Calhoun's character was killed off due to the plot

In the 2013 sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man, Calhoun's character Mia Morgan dies of cancer. This plot point is carried over into The Best Man: Final Chapters, where her husband Lance, played by Morris Chestnut, is still grieving. Despite her character's death, Calhoun appears in Final Chapters through flashbacks and dream sequences, and the show also finds a way to pay homage to her character.

In an interview with BET, Calhoun spoke about her character's death in The Best Man Holiday, saying that she welcomed the challenge of portraying Mia's internal struggle and strength in the face of terminal illness. She also expressed her interest in a third Best Man film, saying that there is a powerful ensemble cast and that the audience would enjoy it and get their money's worth.

Calhoun's absence from The Best Man: Final Chapters is notable, as she was part of the original cast of the inaugural 1999 film. However, director Malcolm D. Lee has expressed his love and admiration for the actress, acknowledging that her performance was key to getting audiences emotional about The Best Man Holiday.

In addition to her role in The Best Man franchise, Calhoun is known for her roles in films such as Bagdad Cafe (1987), The Players Club (1998), Love & Basketball (2000), and Diary of a Single Mom. She has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and an NAACP Image Award.

Calhoun's Mia appears in flashbacks and dream sequences

In the 1999 film "The Best Man", Monica Calhoun portrayed Mia, the wife of Morris Chestnut's character. Calhoun reprised her role in the 2013 sequel "The Best Man Holiday", in which Mia is terminally ill and dies at the end of the film.

In the limited series "The Best Man: The Final Chapters", Calhoun's character Mia appears in flashbacks and dream sequences. In the first episode, which picks up after the events of "The Best Man Holiday", Lance (Chestnut) is still mourning his wife and has a string of one-night stands. While celebrating his friend Quentin's impending nuptials, Lance's mind drifts to Mia, and viewers see a flashback of the couple kissing on their wedding day. In the second episode, Lance dreams of him and Mia relaxing by the pool and expressing their love for each other. As they kiss, Lance wakes up and realises it was just a dream.

Calhoun's performance in "The Best Man Holiday" received critical acclaim, and her character's storyline was particularly noted for its emotional impact. In an interview, Calhoun welcomed the challenge of portraying Mia's internal struggle and strength in the face of life and death.

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