Comedian, impersonation master and actor London Brown sits down with host Bobby Pen to discuss his journey to a leading role on HBO’s “Ballers” starring alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. You can catch London Brown on this season of BET’s American Soul portraying Funk legend Bootsy Collins.

Brown is a hustler who spent his early years developing his acting chops in free community theater while teaching part-time in after school programs. He worked as a choreographer and began working the LA comedy club circuit in order to make ends meet early on. While performing one night in Hollywood, Brown had a chance encounter with Chris Tucker that would change his life.

After an introduction to Tucker by the host that night, DeRay Davis, Brown performed a routine including an impersonation of Tucker and the unthinkable happened. He was booked to open for Chris Tucker on a national tour! His first big break as a comedian, but it wasn’t all glitz and glam for Brown. He was wise enough to watch and play his position as support to Chris Tucker, taking mental notes and social cues from the “Rush Hour” actor. Brown had a front-row seat to his own destiny preparing him to be a compassionate leader. He recalls playing videographer to Tucker during gym workouts or driving the tour van from gig to gig when Chris was too tired.

This exposure and the relationships Brown was able to establish during this time led him to an audition for a one-off character– meaning, he’d only be in one episode. Instead, the writers and directors of HBO’s “Ballers” loved Brown for the role of “Reggie” so much that they actually re-wrote the character to better suit him. This role would land him a lead alongside one of the most recognized entertainers in the world, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

At the same time, he was soaking in the blessing of landing such a major opportunity, one he’d worked well over a decade for, he lost his baby brother in 2015. This tragedy taught Brown to further prioritize the quality of his interactions with others. “Did I give enough? Am I kind enough? Am I working my craft enough?” are questions Brown asks himself each day.

Listen to Put Yourself On Podcast in the player above to learn how London Brown prepared for his destiny by serving others, identifying haters, and finding his own purpose. His grind is to be kind.