Iona Morris’ career includes stage, television, film and voiceovers. You likely recognize this bombshell from her stints on “Moesha”, “General Hospital” or “The Wayans Bros.”, or from her close resemblance to her famous father, Greg Morris. But, there’s one thing I bet you don’t realize, and that’s how much you’ve actually HEARD Iona over the years!
Until I researched more about her, I had no idea that Iona has primarily been a VO actress. She has worked on numerous cartoon series, which include the voice of Storm in the “X-Men” Cartoon Series and Medusa in “Fantastic Four!”
I met Iona a few years ago when she was directing Kim Wayans’ one-woman show: “A Handsome Woman Retreats.”
Sit back and enjoy Iona’s answer to my questions, as she reveals deep insight into her fantastic career.
Shenita: Is there a specific person and/or experience that inspired you to become an actress?
Iona: There are actually two. I mention them in order of when they came to me in my life. My mother gave me an autobiography of Sarah Bernhardt, a French actress from the 1900’s and I was smitten with the craft. I thought she was fabulous. I was so intrigued by her life and her acting work. My mother gave me this book when I was 9 or 10 and it inspired me, lighting a fire under me, BUT when Cicely Tyson played JANE PITTMAN, that was all she wrote. I wanted to be her. Watching her brilliance, her aging in that film, effortlessly. I wanted to act…I had to act! I’d never seen a Black woman in a role like that. It reminded of the time when my mother told me that I didn’t have to be just the nurse or the ballerina, but I could be the doctor and/or run the dance company. Now, I could be the lead in a film and be brilliant at it…just like Cicely Tyson. The memory of her followed me through college, where I really connected to my desire to act. Her role was ground breaking and put this little girl’s imagination over the edge. I started doing plays at school, doing plays at home, singing and writing. And then, my father was an actor. So, I was around acting and actors a lot growing up. It is one of my callings. It is in my blood.
Shenita: Who has been your biggest inspiration and/or motivator throughout your career?
Iona: My own passion for the craft and watching friends achieve. I am always inspired by others’ beautiful work and the desire to be creative and take audiences out of their world for a moment into the one I am creating keeps me going. I live to inspire, to uplift, to give something from my heart that can bring joy to someone else. There has not been one person for me, but many. Those who I know and those who I do not know. Examples: CCH Pounder, Jenifer Lewis, Tamara Tunie, my father, my mother, Oprah, Denzel and many, many others.
Shenita: If you could choose the ideal co-star, living or dead, who would that be and why?
Iona: Meryl Streep. She is a force. I feel her heart and love for the craft. She seems to be a generous actress and I know working with her would challenge me and help me to grow; going deeper into the authenticity of my work. The 2nd actor would like to work with is Denzel Washington. Brilliant actor and a brilliant director.
Shenita: What advice would you give to African American actresses, of all ages, who deal with lack of roles and the ongoing pressures in Hollywood?
Iona: Study, work on the stage – not to be seen by casting directors, but to hone your craft, be your own best friend and cheerleader and DO NOT WAIT FOR THE PHONE TO RING. Do not wait for someone else to validate your passion, your purpose, your creative tools. The trap is waiting for “that” project, “that” role, “that” agent who is going to make us a star, who is going to make it possible for you to work in the craft you have chosen. Make your own way. Write your own stories or align yourself with others who are interested in and want to create their own projects so that you can exercise your muscles and keep yourself working. The other advice I have is to know that part of your job is to audition. It’s part of the process, so don’t allow yourself to stay discouraged. You are going to get discouraged, angry, fearful of the future, of what you have chosen, feel let down, I could go on and on…That’s all part of it. Do not stay in that place for long because there are opportunities everywhere you look. And, if you say, “Well, I don’t see any,” make your own. And, if you stay too long in depression, you could miss something meant just for you. Let me tell you how I came to this: Many years ago, I was in a plentiful part of my life; working all the time, life was good. If I wasn’t working, auditions were coming frequently and then one day I realized that I hadn’t been out on an audition in a long time, I wasn’t working, my acting career looked like it had stalled. Nothing I was doing was coming to fruition. I was on the kitchen floor crying my eyes out, praying to God to guide me. What should I do?
Back tracking for a moment, a couple of months before this breakdown, I had been to see a friend’s one person show at a small café/theatre. I met the owner and told him I had a one person show, but I so didn’t. I had never written one and was only toying with the idea that that might be interesting to do. My thinking was that I would start to write something and that one day I would get it together to maybe perform one. Now, this was before everyone was doing a solo show. I forgot about the meeting. Moving us forward again, me writhing on the kitchen floor, using up a box of kleenex, the phone rings. It’s the owner of the café/club. He says he has a slot and would love to put me in. How was next month? I told him, I was unavailable and couldn’t do it. Thanked him and got off the phone. As soon as I hung up a voice in my head said, “Didn’t you just ask what you should do? We just sent you a life line and you threw it away.” I wiped my tears, picked up that phone, called him back and told him I could do it in 2 months. Immediately, I got to writing and it changed my life. I felt uplifted, powerful, in control and I have become somewhat of an expert in the one-person show genre. I haven’t looked back. I’ve written three of them, directed countless. The point of this little story, stay open. Remain your own best friend and cheerleader. NOTHING controls you. Just keep at it, open yourself up to other creative ventures and watch what happens.
Shenita: What shows can we find recorded on your DVR?
Iona: The “X-Factor”, any sci-fi feature or action movie, the first 2 hours of “The Today Show”, “Once Upon a Time” (as soon as it premiers),”Castle”, “20/20”, “Nightline”, “Prime Suspect”, “The Sing Off”, “The Voice”, “America’s Got Talent.
Shenita: What is your favorite color?
Iona: Orange.
Shenita: Share with us a little known fact about you.
Iona: I am a poet and I do what I like to call AUTOMATIC POETRY or JAZZ POETRY (if there is a musician around). I can “spit” a poem out on the spot that will move your soul like you’ve never felt before. It is a beautiful channeling of words and poetic content I open myself up to receive and then deliver from my heart.
Shenita: Where can we see you next?
Iona: If all goes well, I will be in New York next year performing a play with music I wrote with my business partner Mariann Aalda titled “M.O.I.S.T.!” The Multiple Orgasm Initiative for Sexual Transformation. Go to my website and check out some clips – www.ionamorris.com.
Shenita: Thank you so much Iona. Best of luck in all your endeavors!
