Not many men can say they went from shooting hoops to acting alongside an Academy Award nominee, but Anthony Kelley is not many men. Fresh off his first film role in Paramount’s The Gambler, Kelley sat down with Get Frush to discuss his recent brush with fate.
Born in Compton and raised in nearby Los Angeles, Anthony Kelley never dreamed he would make the transition from athlete to actor, that is until a call from his uncle. There was a director in town looking for fresh faces – basketball players in particular – to come audition for his latest film. Kelley jumped at the chance to play a few pick up games, maybe say a few lines and go about his day. Little did he know what was coming his way.
Kelley was cast as Lamar Allen, star athlete and mediocre student to Mark Wahlberg’s brilliant but troubled professor, Jim Bennett. During filming, Wahlberg took a real liking to Anthony, inviting him over to his home to shoot around with his kids, and new neighbor, Drake. Kelley in turn, soaked up everything like a sponge, becoming a mentee to the Oscar nominee. Every scene the duo shared together, lights up the screen – which Anthony attributes to intense coaching from on-set acting lessons and off-screen advice from fellow castmate Michael K. Williams.
With The Gambler coming to DVD on April 28th, Kelley looks forward to tackling new roles and projects. Not much has changed for the 22 year old, aside from being swarmed by teenage girls at Rite Aid once in a while. His next move is to continue taking acting lessons to perfect his craft, and study martial arts – all in an effort to follow in the steps of his mentor, Mark Wahlberg.
Want to catch up with Anthony? Be sure to follow him on Instagram at @AntonKelley and pick up a copy of The Gambler on blu-ray/DVD combo pack this Tuesday, April 28th.