By Tobias K. Houpe
Contributing Writer
Columbus Post

In an age when TV broadcasts are interrupted by "late-breaking news," which amount to updates in the private lives of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, rumors gather attention.
Former child star of Family Matters, Darius McCrary has direct insight into the world of entertainment. He gave the Columbus Post some feedback during an exclusive interview when he starred in the stage play, "Rumors" in February at Columbus’ Palace Theatre. The play was produced by J.D. Lawrence.
" You can't believe everything. J.D. Lawrence is a brilliant playwright and producer. He hand-picked the actors," said McCrary.
In Rumors, the actor worked with co-stars Telma Hopkins from the music trio Tony Orlando and Dawn and a host of sit-coms including "Family Matters"; LeToya Luckett, one of the founding members of Destiny's Child; George Willborn, Michael Baisden's side-kick on TV One's "Baisden After Dark"; and comedian Gary Owen, who is a frequent guest on BET's "Comic View."
According to McCrary, the play is about family issues. A mother (Hopkins) and her two sons (McCrary and Willborn), and her struggles to help them make the right decisions in life." McCrary noted major response to the interracial relationship from "the sisters in the audience."
In Rumors, McCrary portrays a successful doctor whom is torn between his relationship with his current deceit-filled girlfriend Trina (Melanie Bray) who happens to be white, and his former love interest Michelle (LeToya Luckett) who is black.
" I'm of the philosophy that there are only two races in the world, good and bad, but we're all humans," commented McCrary regarding the issue of race.
To round out the cast, Lawrence plays five roles, both men and women. His quick wit and impromptu responses to outspoken members of the audience adds to the entertainment value of the play.
When Marcus' (McCrary) girlfriend Trina ends up pregnant, a tangled web begins to unwind.
The actors deliver the plot with original music, singing and acting.
The production conveys several messages ranging from the use of the "N" word, sagging pants, overcoming one's negative past and the importance of making responsible decisions that will contribute to the future.
" Entertainment broadens your thinking. If more artists were responsible for the work that they put out, entertainment wouldn't be in the state that it's in," said McCrary.
The veteran actor who has experience in both stage production ("The Maintenance Man") and on-screen film (Muhammad Ali in HBO's Don King story, "Only in America," and "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"), McCrary enjoys theatre’s immediate audience response. "When you get a good response from the audience it can help carry you through the show," said McCrary.
Like many recent stage plays, "Rumors" was written with a spiritual overtone – something that appeals to the actor who was raised in the church.
“ As an adult I had to experience God for myself and I believe that God is so much bigger than we could ever begin to imagine. So many times we try and put Him into a category so we can understand Him," said McCrary.
" God is the universe and I really stand by my faith. I believe that above Christ there is no other. That's part of the reason I agreed to do (Rumors), because it has a very strong message."
McCrary, who has also spoke out about celibacy, stated, "I believe strongly in celibacy and believe that people should wait until they find the right person that they can be committed to and get to know beyond the surface and beyond appearance, because it's about so much more than that."
The entertainment industry and world are filled with consequences for actions.
" I try not to get caught up in the 'he said she said.' I just try and stay focused on my work because at the end of the day, spreading rumors is not going to get me a check. The Bible teaches against discord," said McCrary.
Despite actions, rumors continue to abou-nd, one of which McCrary may ha-ve had a hand in directly or indirectly.
Karrine Steffens, AKA "Supahead," the New York Times bestselling author of "Confessions of a Video Vixen," a tell-all compilation of her sexual exploits with a host of men in the entertainment industry, has the actor involved in rumors of a different type.
Along with heated banters regarding her former line of "work," Steffens has publicly stated that she is engaged to McCrary.
" I have been married twice and they haven't worked out. A lot of times we don't really get to know the person prior to marrying them," continued McCrary, who acknowledges recently becoming a father. I have no intentions of getting remarried," said McCrary.
" I'm not concerned about ending up in one of Steffens' books. Karrine and I have been friends for a long time and our relationship goes beyond the physical and is more psychological and even spiritual," said McCrary when asked about the relationship.
McCrary said that he is still in touch with his fellow cast members of Family Matters and addressed the rumor of one of his co-stars, Kellie Williams' having done porn, as reported on the Internet.
" See, you can't believe everything you read," corrected McCrary. "It wasn't Kellie Williams, it was Jamie Foxworth (another Family Matters co-star who was written out of the series early on). Now that's how rumors get started."
Regarding the long-term problems within the lives of many child actors, McCrary said that he believes it is due to poor parenting. "I think that a lot of these parents whore their children out and most of them have no concern for their welfare in the long run."
In regard to future acting work, McCrary, who is recovering from a recent injury, said that he is constantly looking for new material that will allow him to evolve as an entertainer and that he would like to do more work with J.D. Lawrence.

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