Show Notes
Before millions of Americans knew Denise Nicholas as Liz McIntyre on the groundbreaking television series Room 222, she was living through history.
Denise traveled through Mississippi and Louisiana with the Free Southern Theater during the Civil Rights Movement, an experience that put her face-to-face with violence, racism and even death threats. In this remarkably candid conversation with Steve Kmetko, Denise recalls bombs being thrown at the stage, sleeping on the floor of Fannie Lou Hamer's home because of gunfire, and the terrifying moment a police officer put a gun to her head.
Then came Hollywood.
Denise takes us behind the scenes of Room 222, shares memories of Karen Valentine and Michael Constantine, and reveals how Carol O'Connor helped turn her from an actor into a television writer on In the Heat of the Night.
She also opens up about her relationship and marriage to legendary singer-songwriter Bill Withers, the unsolved murder of her younger sister, a deeply personal secret about the father who raised her, her decision to walk away from acting, and the writing career that became her passion.
Plus, Denise reveals the current television series that might just convince her to step in front of the cameras again.
It's a remarkable life spanning the Civil Rights Movement, groundbreaking television, Hollywood, love, loss and reinvention.
This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko. CHAPTERS
00:00 Denise Nicholas joins Still Here Hollywood 01:18 Acting wasn't remotely part of the plan 02:48 Joining the Civil Rights Movement 03:04 Fearing for her life in Mississippi 04:01 Her mother stops speaking to her 05:13 What America gets wrong about the Civil Rights era 06:09 Bombs, gunfire and Fannie Lou Hamer 07:25 From Civil Rights activist to Room 222 10:42 Racism behind the scenes in Hollywood 13:50 A police officer puts a gun to Denise's head 15:10 The truth about Lloyd Haynes 15:21 Remembering Michael Constantine and Karen Valentine 17:31 Old-school Hollywood behind the scenes 19:31 Carol O'Connor turns Denise into a writer 21:25 What happened after Room 222 24:17 Turning down demeaning Hollywood roles 25:28 Race and opportunity in Hollywood 27:49 What Carol O'Connor was really like 29:45 The murder of Denise's sister 31:33 How Denise met Bill Withers 32:35 What Bill Withers was really like 35:00 Why marriage was difficult for Denise 36:03 Her massive celebrity wedding to Jim Hill 37:06 Becoming an author 40:19 Why she called her memoir Finding Home 40:51 Why Denise walked away from acting 42:49 Freshwater Road and owning her words 44:17 The family secret she carried for decades 47:18 The role that could bring Denise back 49:25 What gives her hope 49:53 A surprise message from Tai Babilonia 51:57 Looking back at race in America
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