Talk to Me – Ex-Con Turned Popular DJ

Talk to Me is a 2007 film that is inspired by real events. It tells the story of Ralph “Petey” Greene, a man who went to prison for armed robbery, only to become the prison’s disc jockey and eventually, upon being released, became an extremely popular radio personality and political activist. In the film, Greene is played by veteran actor Don Cheadle. The film also co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Dewey Hughes, Greene’s friend and manager, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, and Martin Sheen. The film was directed by Kasi Lemmons from a script written by Michael Genet and Rick Famuyiwa. The film experienced a limited release on July 13th, 2007 in North America.

Don Cheadle first came to the public’s attention when he starred as District Attorney John Littleton on the David E. Kelley drama series Picket Fences, which ran from 1992 to 1996 on the CBS television network. Cheadle has since made a name for himself with fantastic performances in such films as Boogie Nights, Out of Sight, Traffic, and Ocean’s Eleven (and it’s sequels Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen). Acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, who directed Out of Sight, Traffic, and all three Ocean’s Eleven movies, has said that Cheadle is one of his favorite actors to work with.

Martin Sheen, father of actors Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez, has had a very successful career as an actor. One of his most notable roles is that of Josiah “Jed” Bartlet in Aaron Sorkin’s critically acclaimed drama The West Wing. He also had a major role in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now.

Cedric the Entertainer has been in a handful of films, but is best known for being a comedian, something he still practices today.

Mike Epps is a comedian/actor who is possibly best known for playing Day-Day Jones in the films Next Friday and Friday After Next.

Chiwetel Eljiofor has been in such films as Serenity and Children of Men. You can read more about this amazing actor in my write-up of him.

Check out the trailer for Talk to Me: