THE ROBERTSON TREATMENT: Dondre Whitfield: Nice Guys Finish First...Even In Prime Time!

(Oct. 8, 2002) Dondre Whitfield is reaching the highest point of his career as Zak Timmerman, "Mr. Perfect" on NBC's new prime-time "black comedy" Hidden Hills, and in real life, he's one of the most well -rounded individuals you'd ever like to meet. He wed fellow thespian Salli Richardson (whom he met on the set of the short-lived sitcom "Two Brothers" a couple of years back), on September 8th in Los Angeles, and he tells The Robertson Treatment, "We try to make sure that while we are doing our projects that we don't allow ourselves or our partner to get lost in those projects. When you come home, you have to make sure that you have some energy to give to your partner. I think that the difference between our relationships and others (in show business) is that we are specifically trying to put each other first and everything else second."

With other couples they have put their careers first and their relationships second - and that is a dangerous thing. "Dondre's goals as an actor are modest, even though he's already been nominated for three Emmys and countless "image" awards. He admits, "I have sort of had mid-level success and have hit a long plateau...and I have been waiting for my high point. Maybe this show will be my high point. I am open to movies--I do film, TV and I love theater. All of those things are my experiences... don't want to be known as a TV star or films star; I just want to be an actor and do diverse roles."

One of his future roles will undoubtedly be that of "daddy" -- Big D readily reveals that he and his new bride have been working on becoming new parents since their wedding night and that they are house-hunting in Pasadena for a house with a yard that can accommodate a few rugrats and their friends! The highly animated Dondre admits he would probably be strict as a parent. He shudders when he sees teenagers smoking outside a mall or wearing provocative clothes that he things are are-inappropriate.

"I am pretty sure Salli and I would actually be strict parents. I see kids out in malls and I think parents are just too lenient. Kids talk back to their parents in a way that was not even possible when we were goring up. They all have cell phones and pagers. And what's going on with these young girls with the overtly sexual clothes and the pants that barely cover their backsides? Back in the '60s and '70s kids new they had to act a certain way. These days it is just the opposite. They all think they have to have a girlfriend or boyfriend at age 16."

Sounds like a man with big plans and a good head on his shoulders. Hey Dondre--good luck on your marriage and the future family -- and we are sure that "Hidden Hills" will be the 'peak' in your career you've been looking for.

(And just in case you're curious--Dondre and Salli have not had time to take a honeymoon yet but one in the works for when Dondre gets his spring hiatus.) ­ Anne Raso

Movies, Movies and more Movies

Best Bets: "Brown Sugar" (Fox Searchlight) - Director Patrick Famuyiwa's follow-up to his coming of age comedy "The Wood," (1999) is a delightful romantic-comedy that moves in synch with the captivating beats and rhythms of classic hip-hop music.

Featuring a cast of beautiful people (Sanna Lathan, Taye Diggs, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker), in a well used story line that centers around best friends who fall in love, "Brown Sugar" could very well be the sleeper to watch this Fall.

Best Bets II: "Formula 51" (Screen Gems) - This fun and quirky British comedy starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Meat Loaf and Emily Mortimer centers around an assassin, a secret formula and a mob of gangsters, all in search of their big score. Already a huge box office draw in Europe, "Formula 51" should garner big bucks here in the States when it opens next week. Seeing Sam Jackson in a kilt in worth the price of admission alone.

Coming Soon: "Honey" (Universal) - Video director Billy Woodruff makes his feature film directorial debut in this urban musical starring Mekhi Phiffer, Jessica Alba and Lonette McGee. With a slamming score courtesy of uber music man Rodney Jerkins, "Honey" should have butts dancing in the aisle when it's released in early 2003.

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