Eight Mile: "Lose Yourself" found in the Cast & Character Guide
Along with many other well-known character performers, the 8 Mile ensemble has a trailblazing musician. Focused on the daily challenges of aspirant Detroit rapper B-Rabbit, 8 Mile is a semi-autobiographical narrative about rapper Eminem's early years prior to his household name in American hip-hop. B-Rabbit gives his heart and soul to perfect his rhyming skills in underground rap contests; 8 Mile also incorporates legendary freestyle raps. Thanks in part for Eminem's Oscar-winning underdog hymn "Lose Yourself," 8 Mile is a motivational movie and a rap musical masterpiece. Curtis Hanson's direction on this character study of a struggling rapper keeps it ageless.
Like earlier films Curtin Hanson helmed, such L.A. Confidential and Wonder Boys, 8 Mile also has a gifted ensemble. Though even little characters like B-Rabbit's sister Lily and naive friend Cheddar Bob steal the moments they are in, B-Rabbit's trip makes 8 Mile one among the best hip-hop films ever produced. Though Eminem's poignant main performance is commendable, it's important to note that 8 Mile also started a young pre-MCU Anthony Mackie. With performers like Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, and Michael Shannon—who had already become well-known in the 1990s—the newcomers in the 8 Mile cast are well-balanced.
Eddie
Star in the 8 Mile cast as Jimmy is Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem. Jimmy enjoys a life far from ideal living in a trailer with his younger sister and single mother. He never loses up on his goal of become a rapper despite all the challenges. Jimmy develops creative rhymes and scathing jabs as he battles stage anxiety and rivalries in the underground hip-hop scene under his rap battle name B-Rabbit. Unquestionably, the role is personal to Eminem, who ascended from battle rapper to Grammy-winning hip-hop legend from a similar upbringing.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: For Eminem, playing B-Rabbit marked a turning point in his career; the 8 Mile soundtrack CD featured the hit song "Lose Yourself." Eminem became the first hip-hop musician to receive an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself" at the 2003 Oscars. Before 8 Mile, Eminem paid an uncredited cameo as Chris in The Wash, a movie starring Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. The rare actor also portrayed himself in The Interview and drug trafficker-turned-FBI informant White Boy Rick in Black Mafia Family, a crime drama created by close friend 50 Cent. He also starred as himself in the fittingly titled "Lose Yourself," the Entourage season 7 finale, and opposite Adam Sandler in Funny People.
Kim Baseer
Kim Basinger joins the 8 Mile cast as Stephanie, a woman whose connection with her kids Jimmy and Lily is tense. Although the single mother often belittles Jimmy and is nasty-mouthed, her violent relationship is causing emotional struggle for her. Jimmy's rocky connection with his mother reflects Eminem's own turbulent past with his mother, which he explores in several of his songs.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: Based on his neo-noir L.A. Confidential, Basinger reunited with filmmaker Curtis Hanson. Her performance as the femme fatale Lynn Bracken won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Along with journalist Vicky Vale in Tim Burton's Batman, art gallery employee Elizabeth McGraw in the sexual thriller 9½ Weeks, and James Bond's ally Domino Petachi in Never Say Never Again, Basinger also portrayed More recently, Basinger starred in a supporting part as a corrupt politician with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe in the crime-comedy The Nice Guys.
Mehish Phifer
Character: Without Mekhi Phifer's portrayal as Jimmy's close friend Future, the 8 Mile ensemble is lacking. He is also always thoughtful of what Jimmy requires on stage and organizes rap bouts. An intriguing behind-the-scenes fact from 8 Mile is that Eminem's real-life best friend, late rapper Proof, inspired the character of Future.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: Phifer has also starred Max, a Dauntless faction member, in the Divergent series apart from 8 Mile. He appeared in the major part alongside Josh Hartnett and Julia Stiles in the William Shakespeare adaption of Othello called O, therefore landing his breakthrough performance. Attached to the medical drama E.R. as Dr. Greg Pratt, Phifer also appears as CIA agent Rex Matheson in season 4 of the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood.
Bryan Murphy
Character: Alex is Jimmy's love interest; initially, their connection seems to be somewhat steady. She enjoys Jimmy's ability to advocate what is right and protect his colleagues. Alex is nonetheless flawed, as her dishonesty with Jimmy makes clear even if she is mostly a positive character. By the end of the film, nevertheless, the two had reached an understood peace free of obvious resentment.
The late actor Brittany Murphy, who broke out in the 1990s portraying the good-natured transfer student Tai Frasier in Clueless and teen Daisy Randone in Girl, plays the character. Murphy kept her success performing bartender Shellie in Sin City and Elisabeth, a patient with mental health issues in Don't Say a Word. Murphy sadly died in 2009, thirty-two years old.
Mackie, Anthony
Among Anthony Mackie's best films are 8 Mile, which also marked his acting debut. Playing Clarence, who raps under the alter persona Papa Doc, Mackie presents one of Jimmy's primary enemies on stage. Papa Doc treats everyone he considers as a possible danger absolutely disrespectfully. Generally speaking, he is also a violent person; even remorselessly holding Jimmy at gunpoint.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: The 8 Mile cast member discovered future glory performing the superhero Falcon/Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Mackie has also played series protagonist Takeshi Kovacs in Altered Carbon, Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. in All the Way and rapper Tupac Shakur in Notorious. Currently spearheading the video game adaption Twisted Metal, he will be making his lead movie debut in the MCU as the next Captain America in Captain America: Brave next World.
Michael Shannon:
Character: Greg is Stephanie's boyfriend and a former classmate of Jimmy's, with their past history adding to the animosity between them. As rude and profane as his romantic partner, Greg is highly unlikable as a person. He is not only ill-mannered towards Jimmy but Stephanie too and is an abusive boyfriend to her. She decides to leave him after realizing by the end of the film how terrible he is for her.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: Greg is one of Michael Shannon's most underrated roles, with the actor having portrayed many more villainous characters, such as the Kryptonian General Zod in Man of Steel, Colonel Richard Strickland in The Shape of Water and real-life hitman Richard Kuklinski in The Iceman. Shannon received two Oscar nominations for playing the protagonists' neighbor John Givings in Revolutionary Road and hardened Detective Bobby Andes in Nocturnal Animals.
Eva Jones
Cheddar Bob is one of Jimmy's best friends, who constantly accompanies him in his misadventures. However, he can be irresponsible at times (such as the time when he accidentally shoots himself). He wants to be tough like the rest of his friends, but there is a sense that he is simply playing a part and isn't really cut out for this aggressive world. Despite his actions, Cheddar is a loyal friend to Jimmy.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: After his time as an 8 Mile cast member, actor Evan Jones went on to appear as Private Dave Fowler in the war biopic Jarhead, basketball coach Moe Iba in the sports drama Glory Road and superhero Mick Rory’s father, Dick Rory, in Legends of Tomorrow. He also portrayed Retch, a member of Yondu’s clan of Ravagers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. On top of that, he appeared alongside Gerard Butler in the crime thriller Den of Thieves as part of the main heist team.
Omar Benson Miller
Character: Sol George is another one of Jimmy's friends who embarks on different activities with him, be it paintballing cars on the street or witnessing rap battles. George doesn’t have many enemies and has a largely friendly persona. He is not as close to Jimmy as Future and is not as much of an oddball personality as Cheddar Bob, but Sol George still manages to stand out thanks to his big presence and calm demeanor, making him the gentle giant of the group.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: He is played by actor Omar Benson Miller who is known for playing CSI Walter Simmons in CSI: Miami. His work also includes the sports drama Ballers in which he portrayed NFL player-turned-sports executive Charles Greane. Miller is also a proficient voice actor having voiced Raphael in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the former Stormtrooper Finn in the LEGO Star Wars franchise.
De’Angelo Wilson
DJ Iz is Sol George’s brother and Jimmy’s friend, carrying the same friendly demeanor as his peers. When Papa Doc and his crew fight Jimmy, DJ Iz doesn’t shy from getting involved in the brawl. However, he seems to have a more sensitive side compared to many of his friends as he laments the rap culture's treatment of women and carries himself with a soft-spoken intellectual vibe.
Notable Movies & TV Shows: The supporting character is played by De’Angelo Wilson. The 8 Mile cast member also appeared in the Denzel Washington-led biographical drama Antwone Fisher in which he played the protagonist’s best friend Jesse. He also appeared in an episode each of CSI: NY and The Shield. Wilson shared screen space with Candyman actor Tony Todd in the dramas Mercy Street and Falling Away. The latter marked his final film role and Wilson sadly died in 2008. Falling Away was released after his death.
8 Mile Supporting Cast & Characters
Eugene Byrd | Wink is a radio DJ who has an affair with Alex. He is portrayed by Eugene Byrd who played Dr. Clark Edison in Bones and voiced Daily Planet reporter Ron Troupe in Superman: Man of Tomorrow.
Taryn Manning | Jimmy’s ex-girlfriend Janeane is played by Taryn Manning who is well-known for playing inmate Tiffany Doggett in the comedy-drama series Orange is the New Black and sex-worker Nola in the hip-hop drama Hustle & Flow.
DJ Head | Kevin Head AKA DJ Head is one of the many 8 Mile cast members who are real-life musicians. Playing a rap battle DJ on 8 Mile, DJ Head is a music producer who has worked with rappers like Eminem, Xzibit and Jay-Z. He hasn’t acted in anything else but previously served as Eminem’s touring DJ from 1997 to 2002.
Chloe Greenfield | Jimmy’s younger sister Lily is a kind-hearted girl who believes in Jimmy despite their unfortunate circumstances. The character is played by Chloe Greenfield, who also played Sarah Riley on the medical drama E.R.
Brandon T. Jackson | Brandon T. Jackson has a brief role as a club-goer in 8 Mile. The actor and comedian played the satyr Grover Underwood in the Percy Jackson movies and rapper-actor Alpha Chino in Tropic Thunder.
Proof | A freestyle rapper who battles B-Rabbit, Proof appears in 8 Mile as Lil Tic. The rapper was Eminem’s former bandmate on the group D12 and also served as his constant hypeman. He didn’t act in any movies again but was one of Eminem’s closest friends.
Obie Trice | Cameoing as a rapper in a parking lot, rapper Obie Trice also contributed to the soundtrack with several songs like “Love Me”, “Adrenaline Rush” and “Rap Name”.
Xzibit | Waiting in line at a lunch truck, Eminem has a freestyle battle with a fellow rapper who is played by Xzibit. A musical collaborator of Eminem’s, Xzibit contributed to the 8 Mile soundtrack with the track “Spit Shine”. The rapper, actor and TV personality is known for hosting the reality TV series Pimp My Ride and music executive Shyne Johnson in the rap musical drama Empire.
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