The year 1999 may not hold any special significance for most people out there, except perhaps you were born that year, but for Monica Calhoun, it is indeed one that she would never forget in a hurry as it marked the best part of all her hard work and determination in the movie industry. Having spent several years paying her dues as a working actress, Calhoun finally got the ovation she deserves as a result of the fascinating role she played in the movie, The Best Man.
Her great determination and passion for success were evidently seen in her sensational portrayal of Mia Morgan in the aforementioned 1999 comedy-drama film which fetched her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. The Best Man has since grown to become a cult classic and also spurned a sequel. There are also ongoing talks of a third instalment and even a TV series and Calhoun is up for it.
Her Professional Debut Was Achieved At Age 15
Monica Calhoun was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, on July 29, 1971. Her mother’s name is Lorraine W. Calhoun and she has one sibling, a younger brother named Eric. Monica’s mom later relocated the family to Los Angeles and there, she kick-started her career in acting. The beautiful American actress began her acting career in the mid-80s. She made her first on-screen appearance in the 1985 movie, Children of the Night and moved on to feature alongside Flex Alexander in the short-lived TV show, Where I Live.
The renowned actress further landed a role in the TV series, Pacific Station, as well as the 1992 biopic mini-series, The Jacksons: An American Dream (where she was cast to play the character of Rebbie Jackson). She then followed it up by playing the main role in two CBS Schoolbreak Special episodes, Different Worlds: A Story of Interracial Love (1993) and What About Your Friends (1995). Her performance in the former fetched her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for outstanding performer in a children’s special.
In 1998, Monica Calhoun got her breakthrough when she landed a major part in the comedy-drama, The Players Club. Directed by Ice Cube, The movie focused on LisaRaye, a single mom who takes to stripping in order to foot her bills. LisaRaye avoids any shady entanglements with the club owner where she works but things get complicated when her cousin, Ebony, starts stripping as well. The Players Club featured Diane Armstrong as LisaRaye while Calhoun portrayed her hell-raising cousin named Ebony. The volatility of her character contributed to the film’s box office success and it grossed $23.3 million on a budget of $5 million.
Lighting Up The Best Man Franchise
Since her breakthrough on The Players Club, Monica Calhoun has gone on to tally appearances in several movies and TV series including Diary of a Single Mom Season, A Different World, The Wayans Bros, The Salon, Love and Basketball, No Regrets, among others. Her most notable project, however, remains the 1999 film, The Best Man. The comedy-drama revolves around a group of old college friends who get together for the wedding of one of their pals, an NFL star named Lance. What is supposed to be a happy reunion however dissolves into a major drama as it emerges that the bride-to-be, Mia, had an affair with the groom’s best friend/best man named Harper.
The Best Man featured some of the finest African-American movie stars, including the likes of Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Terrence Howard, as well as Calhoun (who portrayed the role of Mia). The movie was a big hit, grossing $34 million on a budget of $9 million. It also received about nine NAACP Image Awards nominations, as well as a nomination for outstanding actress in a motion picture for Monica. In the coming years after The Best Man, the movie grew to become a cult classic and many fans yearned for a sequel. Their wishes were granted 14 years later when the old cast and crew got together to do The Best Man Holidays in 2013.
This time around, the old pals and their better-halves come together for the holidays but as is usual, tensions resurface with Calhoun’s character, Mia, revealing, that she has a terminal disease. Just like its predecessor, The Best Man Holidays did well with moviegoers, grossing $71 million on a budget of $17 million. It also impressed the critics and all this has motivated talks of a TV series, as well as a third movie. That idea, however, remains in the works but Calhoun has indicated that she is all for it.
Monica Calhoun Has Overwhelming Love For Her Special Needs Son
Monica Calhoun gave birth to her son in the year 2000. She has yet to reveal his name or even the father’s identity, but he did accompany her to the red carpet premiere of The Best Man Holidays. Following her frequent picture uploads on social media, it is quite obvious that Calhoun cherishes her son who was born blind. The actress rarely speaks about his special needs but it is possible that the condition is hereditary in nature, given that her younger brother, Eric, was also born blind.
Growing up with a blind younger brother heightened Monica’s sensitivity, patience, and compassion, and these qualities have come in quite handy in raising her special needs son. The famous actress has been devoted to her son, showing him so much love and affection. This was evidently seen on the heart-warming video she shared online in September 2018, where she spent quality time teaching him how to swim.
Unravelling The Actress’ Love Life
Monica Calhoun has managed to keep a tight lid on her love life. Since she rose to stardom in the late 90s to date, the actress has never been in any confirmed romance. This does not, however, mean that she has never had some relationships. It just means that she has chosen to keep them out of the spotlight.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia-born actress was romantically linked to actor Miguel A Nunez in the past but that relationship was never confirmed and seems to be an unfounded rumour. Nunez is a notable actor, producer, and writer. He has featured in several TV series and movies including Tour of Duty, The Return of the Living Dead, and Life.