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Kerry Washington Talks Eddie Murphy and New TV Show

The actress tells BET.com about her new film A Thousand Words and new TV show Scandal.

For her nearly 20 years in movies, Kerry Washington has shared the big screen with a lengthy list of Hollywood’s leading men including Forest Whitaker, Jamie Foxx and Chris Rock. And now this week, Washington ups the ante by co-starring with the trailblazer for African-American comedic actors, Eddie Murphy. The two star together in the new comedy A Thousand Words.

 

“You know what’s funny? I feel like I’ve worked with so many of the men who’ve looked up to Eddie and have gotten in the business because of Eddie,” the 35-year old Bronx, New York, native told BET.com. “Like Chris Rock, The Wayans Brothers, Jamie Foxx. So it was like finally going to the source and working with the beginnings of it all.”

 

In A Thousand Words, Murphy stars as Jack McCall, a fast-talking literary agent who must find unique ways to communicate when he’s left with only 1,000 words to speak. Washington plays his wife, Caroline McCall. Despite the film’s crazy premise, she says Murphy was far from the cut-up while working on set.

 

“What’s interesting is that Eddie takes comedy very seriously,” says Washington. “But he’s incredibly focused. And he is still really so much fun.”

 

On the small screen, Washington will soon portray Olivia Pope in the new Shonda Rhimes produced drama, Scandal. Washington's character is based on real-life celeb and political crisis PR manager Judy Smith. If Smith is not a household name, the public figures she’s bailed out of their own scandals certainly are — they include Clarence Thomas, Michael Vick and Monica Lewinsky.

 

“Shonda is such a great writer. She understands the humanity of people, the way we think and relate to each other,” says Washington about the series, which also stars Columbus Short. "Scandal is a great show. If you love politics, scandal and relationships you’ll love this show."

 

Scandal premieres April 5 on ABC.

 

A Thousand Words arrives in theaters March 9, check out the trailer below.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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