CCHS student lands film role
By Jack Criss
The Bolivar Bullet
Cleveland Central High School Senior, 18 year-old Devon Harbin, might just end up being Mississippi’s next big Hollywood actor if recent accomplishments are any indication.
Harbin, who has been interested and involved in theater and acting since the third grade, will be featured in a speaking role alongside Hollywood legend, Bruce Willis, in the Vertical Entertainment movie “A Day To Die,” which was filmed in Jackson and comes out on March 4th. A red-carpeted screening will be held in the capital city and Harbin will attend.
“When I first landed the part, I didn’t know who Bruce Willis was,” said Harbin. “My parents, though, got very excited when they saw his name and who I’d be acting with!”
Harbin plays a drug dealer named Danny in the movie, he said, and has a scene with Willis where the two of them share dialogue in a car along with a couple of other scenes. The filming took place last April.
“Bruce was a very nice man to work with,” said Harbin, when asked about the star.
Harbin had been keeping up with casting calls through a Facebook page, “Casting For Mississippi,” based in Jackson dedicated to helping Mississippipans obtain information and keep up with acting opportunities. “The page posts various casting calls and I actually submitted and applied for what was listed as a ‘concept film’ in September of 2020,” explained Harbin. “Soon after, I got a call back from Ms. Yolanda Williams of Blue Light Casting telling me I had gotten another role, and I ended up signing up with her and her company. It was through her that I got cast in ‘A Day To Die.’”
Harbin also recently landed a part as an extra in Morgan Freeman’s new movie, “The Minute You Wake Up Dead,” filming in Canton, which also stars Cole Hauer of the acclaimed cable television series, “Yellowstone.”
Harbin doesn’t yet have an agent, but is planning on moving to Los Angeles upon graduation after being accepted into the The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his favorite actors, Denzel Washington, Adam Sandler, and Will Smith.
He credits his parents, Tomeka and Rolander, for his early success. Harbin called his parents, “my backbone. I couldn’t have done any of this without all of their love and support. And they are beyond excited for me–I can’t even begin to thank them enough.”
His classmates at school have also been supportive, said Hardin. “It’s been crazy,” he laughed. “My vice principal even put my name and a congratulatory message on our school marquee.”
Hardin hopes that people will go see “A Day To Die” and support the film–and his blossoming new career. “I think they’ll enjoy it,” he said, “and I’d appreciate everybody checking it out. This has truly been a dream come true!”