Reid’s impressive accomplishments include: being the first African-American woman to appear on the cover of Glamour magazine; her fine art photography that’s admired throughout the world; her popular Daphne Style clothing line; and her fascinating “Grace +Soul & Motherwit” cookbook. She also serves as host of Virginia Currents on PBS and is a spokesperson for Virginia State University, an historically black college, where she helps with outreach to students of color. A thoughtful, inspiring, and fascinating professional with over five decades of experience, Daphne Maxwell Reid continues to demonstrate that mastering a new skill is always possible for an artist with a generous spirit and self-determination.
I am very happy that this extremely busy woman took time to answer my questions below.
Question: You have a remarkable background in TV work, so I was wondering -- when did you first decide to be an actress?
Answer: I was probably born wanting to be noticed, so what better way was there than to act!
Question: What were the obstacles you faced regarding acting as a career?
Answer: As an actor, you have to be chosen. I like a bit more control over my life, so I kept busy doing creative outlets that kept me humming
Question: What do you consider your big break on TV and why?
Answer: Robert Conrad casting me in my first television series “The Duke” -- and becoming a mentor to me. I arrived in LA with another job, and the ability to secure representation. It was a great start.
Question: What was most satisfying about your work on TV?
Answer: Being able to influence people by showing them an honest portrayal of someone they could be
Question: How did your famous Glamour magazine cover come about?
Answer: While attending Northwestern, I was discovered by Eileen Ford and asked to join her agency.I was modeling in NY while going to school and was mentored by a woman named Amy Greene. Amy lined up photo shoots for me and did so on this occasion. It was just another photo shoot, not a "cover try." It took about 15 minutes and then I went back to school. I was surprised that I saw myself at the news stand that October!
Question: Why did you decide to specialize in fine art photography?
Answer: I was encouraged to pursue becoming a photographic artist by some friends who had seen travel photos that I shared with them. I took the leap at age 60, and began the journey of discovering what a photographic artist was, and what I would do with my art. It led to gallery shows, prints for sale, note cards, calendars, 4 books that I published with my photographs, and a licensing deal for some of my photos. I continue to pursue the journey that has enriched my life with insight and the ability to share my ideas of noticing the details of one’s life. I concentrate on doors, as I find they are a metaphor for life: curiosity, adventure, opportunity and purpose
Question: What is your favorite recipe in your published cookbook?
Answer: My mother’s waffle recipe
Question: What’s the most important thing you would like people to know about you and your work?
Answer: I would like folks to follow my lead, and live their lives with joy, purpose, and integrity, as I have tried to do.
In my opinion, Daphne Maxwell Reid is a role model extraordinaire!
(Photo: Daphne Maxwell Reid)
Ron