naveed usmani seeks a second chance in scooby doo reboot by lillard matthews
[ naveen usmani ;; forty-seven ;; he/him ;; the comedian ]
google doc (wip).
resume
tv shows:
pals (guest star, 1 episode)
bill & faith (guest star, 3 episodes)
how i met your uncle (guest star, 2 episodes)
the workplace (recurring character for 1 season)
fool tv (3 seasons)
kings county queens (recurring character, 2 seasons)
department of sanitation (guest star, 4 episodes)
movies:
gridlock (and 2, and 3) get it? like rush hour but ... no?
harry & kumail go to black fortress
mentors
half siblings
best men
expeditionland
parody movie 2
and multiple stand-up tours :)
traits
positive: philanthropic, loyal, fun, convivial, genuinely very funny actually, cultured, self-assured negative: shallow, temperamental, presumptuous, defensive, self-pitying, harsh, mistrustful neutral: thoughtful, attentive, deliberate, cleanly, resolute, passionate, well-connected
the scandal
In 2012, Andrew Weston was filming an adaptation of the novel spy series Jason Graves set to star the usually-only-comedy actor, Naveed Usmani. Fans were divided. The Jason Graves was being played by Naveed Usmani? The guy who did the weird Van Gogh As A Baby sketches on Fool TV? Jason Graves was supposed to be hot, ripped, brilliant - Naveed was hardly any of that in the public eye. He was cute, sure, but not the cover of any magazines other than entertainment tabloids!
Regardless, he did the work. He put in the time, the effort, and really turned himself around. Hell, Persons magazine even quoted a source that said he'd stopped drinking to get cut for the role! Things were looking up for Naveed, and he could have truly had it all.
Until newly-ripped Naveed Usmani punched dweeby director Andrew Weston in the face - so hard he broke his nose.
At least, that's how the story goes.
Headlines ripped Naveed apart, finding sources who said he was "testy" behind the scenes and "maybe was on steroids" to get so ripped. Naveed was certain the public would take his side if they knew the truth, but to prevent himself from getting sued for assault he signed an NDA and "stepped away" from the role. Why he really smacked (not punched!) Andrew Weston would remain a mystery, and whether it was related to the next series of truly poorly-timed events was all up for speculation.
Soon after, his divorce with actress Jennifer Blacksmith was finalized (and publicized), Tongass Prime cancelled their exclusive 4-year contract with him - where he was paid to write movies and scripts at his leisure as long as they went to Tongass Prime, and the comedy tour he had just begun selling tickets for was canceled due to public backlash.
It is said he went with his tail behind his legs to good friend Royce Galloway, who took him in and had been helping him "change his ways". He had some ghostwriting credits during the time frame for comedy specials and award shows, but he never got callbacks on auditions - not even 5, 6, 10 years after the scandal.
That's why when Lillard Matthews called him for this role, he knew this was his one opportunity to reshape his image and get back on the map in Hollywood.
compare to our world
will smith "the slap"
think: nicole sullivan's live action acting career, like she was just... sometimes everywhere?
any actor who you see in a comedy movie and go "yeah, of course they're in this!"
