Oprah Winfrey Toasts David Oyelowo for ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ Ratings Success: I’m So Glad He’s ‘Receiving the Rewards of His Labor’
04.12.2023 - 01:11
/ variety.com
Angelique Jackson On Friday night, Oprah Winfrey hosted a swanky celebration for “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” executive producer and star David Oyelowo at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood. Photographers lined the driveway of the iconic hotel while a who’s who of Hollywood — including Gayle King, Lupita Nyong’o, Niecy Nash-Betts and the cast of the hit Paramount+ series — posed in front of a black and gold backdrop. Inside the luxurious venue, even more stars — like Macro chief Charles D.
King, Yvonne Orji, O-T Fagbenle, Anna Diop, Edwina Findley, Mykelti Williamson, Mo McRae, Eugene Ashe, Deon and Roxanne Taylor — mixed and mingled as the party took over the whole of the bar and pool area on a windy, yet starry night in Los Angeles. The affair felt more like a family reunion than an industry function, with Oyelowo was joined by his wife (and Yoruba Saxon producing partner) Jessica Oyelowo and their children Asher, Zoe and Penuel. The only wrinkle was that it all could’ve happened at Winfrey’s house.
About a month and a half ago, Oyelowo called Winfrey — his co-star in “The Butler” and “Selma,” turned close friend — to ask a favor. When “Bass Reeves” debuted on Paramount+ on Nov. 5, the SAG-AFTRA strike was still four days away from ending.
This meant that Oyelowo (who stars as the legendary lawman who escaped enslavement to become one of the first Black U.S. Deputy Marshals west of the Mississippi) and the ensemble cast (including Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck, Tosin Morohunfola, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley and Shea Whigham) were still marching the picket lines instead of walking the red carpet.