The Montgomery Advertiser posted a story about Justice Leak, who is in Denzel Washington’s latest film, The Great Debaters.

Make sure you check out The Great Debaters, in theaters now.

Montgomery Native Impresses Oscar Winner to Land Movie Role

As a kid, Justice Leak wasn’t fond of his name, but the rising star hopes the unique moniker and his performance in the Oprah Winfrey produced film “The Great Debaters” are two things audiences won’t soon forget.

The movie is based on the true story of Melvin Tolson, a college professor who formed the first debate team at a small black college in Texas in the mid-1930s. Against all odds, Tolson led the team to the national championship, where they competed against Harvard.

Leak, who is in his mid-20s, plays Harland Osbourne, a student liaison who shows Tolson’s team around when they come to the Boston campus. The movie’s star and director, Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, handpicked the Montgomery native for the role.

“I will always remember him (Washington) as the guy who gave me my chance,” said Leak, who won Washington over during his call-back audition. He said he enjoyed shooting his scenes in Boston, adding it was a joy working with Washington, who he described as down-to-earth.

Interestingly enough though, Leak didn’t plan on becoming an actor.

Born and reared in Montgomery, Leak’s father, George, a former police officer, named his son Justice after his love for the criminal justice field. His older sister’s name is Liberty.

“As a kid, you don’t want to stick out,” Leak said. “But as you get older, you realize that it’s good to have something that makes you different from everyone else.”

Leak was a shy kid who “could easily blend into the walls.” His quiet nature, however, made him a keen observer of human behavior, a skill that has served him well.

“All my life’s experiences — the good, the bad and the ugly — have been preparing me to do this thing (acting). That’s why I’m so thankful that I wasn’t a popular kid,” Leak said, laughing.

His first stint in the spotlight came during his senior year at Jefferson Davis High School. He was chosen to lead the marching band, and recalls his experience as drum major as the “best of both worlds in terms of performing and music.”

“For the first time, I was in a leadership position,” Leak said. “I couldn’t hide behind anybody else, and looking back, that was the beginning point for me coming out of my shell.”

After graduation, Leak attended college in Texas and later Auburn University. While there, he became involved in the drama department, mainly working behind the scenes. But that all changed when he helped a classmate with an audition.

“I told the director that I wasn’t auditioning and was only helping,” Leak said. “Afterwards, he stepped up and said, ‘Why aren’t you auditioning? You would be great in one of the leads.’”

His first role was the lead in Arthur Miller’s, “The Crucible.” During his senior year, he starred in every main stage play produced at Auburn and earned two Irene Ryan Award nominations. He was also named “best actor” by the university’s faculty and students.

After earning a degree in theatre arts, Leak moved to Atlanta and was signed to the agency, People Store. He began doing commercials for companies such as Verizon Wireless, and later, had small roles in TV shows and independent films.

His agent felt he could do more and sent his resume to the casting directors for “The Great Debaters,” a career changing moment.

One of the most memorable aspects of the entire experience is the fact that his mother, Doris Leak, a seventh-grade teacher, attended the premiere with him, “making my first movie premiere even more special.”

Leak now lives in Los Angeles, and is signed with SMS Talent, one of the most respectable agencies in the country. And he’s keeping busy, too. He starts shooting “Balancing the Books,” with Lea Thompson and Ernie Hudson later this month. He’s also been asked to audition for the lead in a Billy Graham movie, “Billy the Preacher.”

Leak plans to remain humble, no matter how successful he becomes.

“I want to be known as a good soul with a kind heart, and a great artist who had the chance to make a difference in this world for the better and succeeded.”

-ESTELLA JERNIGAN

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