FEBRUARY 2009 29
e came to Los Angeles, an un-
known kid from New Jersey
with a dream to star in movies.
But the closest he got to Holly-
wood was selling shirts and trinkets at the
Sony Pictures studio shop. Soon enough, he
met his future wife Sophia, and got married.
Money was tight.
“My wife said to me ‘honey, your dream is
good but I can’t pay the bills,’ so I had to get
other jobs,” said Luke recalling those hard
times more than a decade ago.
So, he landed a one-day gig as a waiter at
the 2000 Spirit Awards. He was not happy to
give up his Saturday.
“I remember thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m in
this situation,’” he said.
Derek Luke and his wife Sophia accept his 2003 Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for his turn in Antwone Fisher
Inside the tent before the guests arrived, he
joined the army of waiters in following orders,
setting the tables, lining the napkins and
wine glasses properly. Then he noticed the
gift bags, loaded down with goodies.
“I remember thinking ‘wow! This is amazing!’”
for a split second he thought about taking
one. “Man, I was tempted. But then I remem-
ber thinking, ‘nah, I’d rather believe that my
time will come one day.’”
Instead of taking the bag, he sat down on
the chair when nobody was looking and
gazed at the empty stage.
“I sat in the seat and just dreamed,” he re- Derek Luke as Sean “Puffy” Combs in Notorious Derek Luke as Sargeant Aubrey Stamps in
called. Miracle at Saint Anna
He received nearly $100 for that day’s work— was fresh and new. His senses were height- After the Spirit Awards, Luke and his wife
not bad, he thought. ened, his knees shook, and he noticed ev- went for a quiet dinner at a favorite restau-
ery detail, from what people were wearing to rant. Their waiter thanked him. Luke asked
A few years later, his fortunes changed con- what the food tasted like. He was star struck, him why, “And he said ‘we heard about your
siderably when he was cast as the lead in nudging his wife when he saw Jennifer Anis- speech. You are such an inspiration to those
the story of Antwone Fisher, a man with a ton and Brad Pitt make their entrance. of us that are not yet in front of the camera.’
rough past who overcomes the odds. Luke’s That was what made me appreciate why hav-
performance was lauded and he was nomi- It was not until his name was called on stage ing a dream is so important.”
nated for a Spirit Award. and the people at his table urged him to
get his award that he realized he had won. Luke’s career has taken off, with him working
When he arrived at the event with Sophia he He grabbed his wife’s hand and ran up. On steadily as an actor in such films as Catch a
didn’t recognize it as the same place where stage, looking out at the sea of people, his Fire, Miracle at St. Anna and most recently
he had waited tables. memory clicked and he saw himself as the Notorious. Although he has not returned to
server that waited on stars like Don Chea- the Spirit Awards since his win, Luke says
“I had so many odd jobs. I bartended, I chauf- dle. He handed his award to his wife, say- he will never forget the importance of that
feured until the guy didn’t pay me and so I ing that she was the “spirit that has kept me experience.
quit,” he said. “Besides, it’s very different here. I can’t accept this award because this
when you are serving at an event. The view belongs to you.” “That award was the spirit of the dream, of the
as a waiter dressing the tables is totally dif- fight and the spirit of determination,” he said.
ferent than sitting at the table as a guest. It “My speech wasn’t a speech—it was a real- “To accomplish your dream it takes a certain
takes a while for your mind to catch up to ization,” he said. “Suddenly my dream was amount of focus but you have to have the
where your body is.” real. I didn’t want the feeling to go away. I vision. This award was a symbol for me that
just wanted to savor it.” said, ‘you can go anywhere you want.’”
The experience of being there as a nominee
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