Fresh Air Best Of: Actor Leslie Uggams / Martha's Vineyard's Indigenous Past & Present
5 snips
Jul 26, 2025 
Leslie Uggams, a multi-talented actor and singer who began her career at just 6 years old, shares insights about her groundbreaking roles, including her powerful performance in Roots and her continued success in productions like Empire and Deadpool. Joining her is Joseph Lee, a writer from the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe, who discusses his book 'Nothing More of This Land', revealing the often-overlooked Indigenous history of Martha's Vineyard and the complexities of cultural identity. Together, they explore resilience, heritage, and the stories behind their legacies.
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Surprise Deadpool Audition
- Leslie Uggams recounts her surprise audition for the Deadpool films where she played Blind Al.
- She had no idea about the character or the use of expletives until after reading the script and filming began.
Filming Roots' Traumatic Scene
- Leslie Uggams describes the emotional difficulty of filming her character Kizzy's forced separation in Roots.
- The trauma was so intense it left the cast and crew stunned and her personally distressed for the rest of the day.
Early Apollo Theater Influence
- Leslie Uggams started singing at the Apollo Theater at age nine after winning a radio talent contest.
- She observed iconic performers like Louis Armstrong closely, learning about rhythm and audience connection.
