Derek plays the lead in The Antwone Fisher Story (out December 20), the true-life drama of a boy who's in and out of foster homes, joins the Navy, and eventually has to work through some heavy baggage. Fortunately for Derek, the 28-year-old actor doesn't seem to have issues that require hard-core therapy.
Normally your agent would let you know you got a part. But we hear that didn't happen with the role of Antwone.
I went to the audition and next thing I knew Denzel Washington [who directed the movie] was at my job [at the Sony Studios gift shop]. I tried to play it cool, but it didn't work. It was so magical that it was hard to record that moment in time. My life changed.
What gave you the push to move to California from Jersey City, NJ, where you grew up?
Seeing my friends dying on the streets. The cemetery [near] where I grew up was full of dreamers. That's what made me decide. I thought I could end up there, or I could take this quantum leap and go forward. That's what helped me — looking at those guys that didn't make it.
After this role and your parts in the upcoming dramas Biker Boyz and Pieces of April, people are going to think you're pretty serious.
I'm nothing like those guys [I play] on-screen, letting out all that frustration. I like to have fun.
How do you have fun?
I like to Jet ski. I like golf. I like tennis, swimming, chewing gum, picking burrs off your couch watching TV.
How did you decide you wanted to act?
I wanted to play college football, but I didn't want to get hurt and be limping through it. So I chose what I love more — acting.
