Ayo Edebiri, the Emmy-winning actor known for her role in “The Bear,” recently shared a humorous yet poignant story about her father’s cautious nature that once thwarted a major Hollywood production. During an appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” Edebiri recounted how Martin Scorsese’s team approached her family to use their Boston home for the filming of “The Departed” when she was just 10 years old.
Edebiri and her father were about to leave for her piano lesson when the production crew knocked on their door. Her father, an immigrant from Nigeria, was immediately skeptical of the offer. The idea that one of the world’s most renowned directors wanted to film in their home seemed too good to be true.
In a hilarious reenactment, Edebiri mimicked her father’s reaction, capturing his deep suspicion. “Use my house? So you can get the deed to my house? You see a working immigrant man with a house, and you want to steal the house. You want to come inside the house, take my keys, take the deed, and take my family. Nice try,” she recounted, adopting her father’s voice.
Despite the crew’s assurances that they only needed the house for a few days and that they would be compensated, her father remained unconvinced. “You pay me money, so in court you can say you paid for my house,” Edebiri recalled him saying. The location scouts even promised that Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio would arrive in 30 minutes to discuss the arrangement.
Her father’s skepticism reached its peak when he quipped, “Yeah, and we’ll have a Black president,” a line that drew laughter from the audience. Ultimately, the production team had to find another house in the neighborhood to use for the film.
“The Departed” went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture, and Scorsese took home the award for Best Director. As for Edebiri, she eventually gave up piano lessons, but her career in show business flourished.
Edebiri’s story is a testament to her father’s protective instincts and the cultural differences that can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. It also highlights the often-overlooked personal histories behind the making of iconic films.
Edebiri’s recounting of this incident adds a layer of humor and humanity to the often-glamorous world of Hollywood. It serves as a reminder that behind every big production, there are real people with real concerns and experiences.
The actor’s ability to find humor in her father’s cautious nature and the situation as a whole is a testament to her comedic talent. Her story also underscores the importance of family and the lengths to which parents will go to protect their children and their homes.
Edebiri’s tale is not just a funny anecdote but also a reflection of the immigrant experience in America. Her father’s skepticism and protective instincts are rooted in a desire to safeguard his family’s hard-earned stability. This story resonates with many who have faced similar situations, where opportunities are met with caution and a need for assurance.
As Edebiri continues to rise in her career, stories like these offer a glimpse into the experiences that have shaped her. They also provide a relatable and humanizing perspective on the often larger-than-life world of Hollywood.
In the end, Edebiri’s father’s decision may have cost them a brush with Hollywood fame, but it also gave her a story that she can share with humor and pride. It’s a story that not only entertains but also offers a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of family dynamics and cultural differences.
Edebiri’s recounting of this incident on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” is a reminder that behind every successful actor, there are often humble beginnings and unique experiences that shape their journey. Her father’s cautious nature may have kept Scorsese out of their home, but it also provided Edebiri with a memorable story that continues to resonate with audiences.
