Joseph Marcell From ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Continues To Enjoy Acting Aged 71 But Prefers The Theatre Stage

Jan 08, 2020 by apost team

Even though we are deep in the era of "Prestige Television," we seem to be hankering for a nice dose of 1990s TV nostalgia. For all the thoughtful stories delivered by series such as HBO's "Watchmen," many of us are drawn to uncomplicated sitcoms from the 90s, the kind that delivered wholesome jokes and silly gags while never taking themselves too seriously. In the case of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," we are not only intrigued by how effortlessly Will Smith went on to become a Hollywood star; we are also amazed at how great a job all the actors did on that show.

There is no question that Joseph Marcell was perfectly cast for the part of Geoffrey, the stuffily prim and proper British butler of the Banks' household, which was located in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Southern California.

Marcell was born in Saint Lucia, and was raised in South London. He graduated from the University of Sheffield with degrees in theater and science before joining the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company; he had already landed major stage and film projects, including some produced by the BBC, before joining Will Smith and company, reports The Portsmouth News.

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Being a classically trained dramatic actor, Marcell delivered all his scenes to perfection. He embodied the image of a British butler, at least the American version that Hollywood has forged over many decades. He was funny and charismatic over more than 140 episodes.

With the nice payout from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," Marcell could have retreated to his native Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, but the call of the stage in England was too strong. His family are based in England, so there was that additional motivation.

At the age of 71, Marcell continues to act in Shakespeare plays, and he is the favorite of many casting directors in London. Although he does still take sporadic parts in Hollywood productions, according to The Portsmouth News, the stage is where his heart is.

Marcell has even played to very small crowds; we are talking about the kind of night when there are more actors on the stage than audience members on the seats. He knows Hollywood is where the real money is, but he prefers playing Titus Andronicus or taking a bit part on another run of Hamlet. Moreover, as a veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he has mentored quite a few other actors.

Marcell counts Will Smith as one of his good friends. They stay in touch despite living across the Atlantic, and he told TheaterMania that he enjoys being recognized as Geoffrey when he runs into fans while walking the streets of London.

What do you think about Marcell's dedication to his true passion? Pass this on to your social media friends so that they can discuss what it takes to be really happy with one's chosen profession. How about a Fresh Prince film or reboot with Marcell replaying his role as Geoffrey? Would you like to see that? Marcell will likely sign up for such a project.