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Snoop Dogg proves he can pimp it in new film

By Sommer Mathis

March 3, 2004 9:00 p.m.

Among the ever increasing tide of rappers-turned-actors working
today, Snoop Dogg is probably not known as the most accomplished
““ at least in regard to the acting side of his career.

Despite a couple of very small roles in the respected films
“Training Day” and John Singleton’s “Baby
Boy,” his most substantial parts to date have been limited to
generally panned movies like “The Wash” and the
Blacksploitation horror film “Bones.” No doubt Ice
Cube’s success with the “Barbershop” franchise,
or even Ice-T’s relatively long stint on “Law &
Order: Special Victims Unit,” could easily be described as
more impressive.

But all that could be about to change with the release of Todd
Phillips’ (who also directed “Old School”) new
film “Starsky & Hutch,” in which Snoop resurrects
the role of Huggy Bear, the street wise informant from the original
1970s TV show.

“It’s like, who else are you going to go to?”
mused Phillips when discussing his casting of Snoop Dogg.
“There’s certainly other actors out there that could do
it, but Snoop was the first choice, and when he said yes, there was
no thinking about it.”

And it is in fact the chance to play this very Snoop Dogg-like
character ““ part tough-as-nails pimp, part charming do-gooder
““ that may at last lead to a more promising acting career for
the rapper. That he was able to comfortably stretch his legs in a
part that both is, and at the same time isn’t, much like his
rapping persona, contributed a great deal to this success.

“When I had the opportunity to play (Huggy Bear), I wanted
to bring him to life for those who didn’t know him (from the
TV show),” Snoop said at a recent press event promoting the
movie. “But at the same time, I wanted to add that Snoop Dogg
element, with the pinky ring and the hair being pretty, and doing
all the exciting things that I do to step Huggy’s game …
up.”

In turn, it seems Snoop Dogg’s own game has also been
stepped up. His co-stars from “Starsky & Hutch” all
spoke of how impressed they were with his professionalism as an
actor. In preparing to play the role, he enlisted the help of the
famed pimp-turned-preacher Bishop Don “Magic” Juan as a
wardrobe consultant.

“(Snoop) shows up on time and does his thing, he takes it
very serious. This movie is going to be good for him, and a way to
get him into other movies, to show that he’s serious about
it,” Phillips said.

“I loved working with him,” added Ben Stiller.
“He’s a very nice guy, and he’s got a fun group
of people that travel along with him.”

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Sommer Mathis
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