OVERLAY REPORT

In *Eve's Bayou* (1997), the primary lead actor is **Jurnee Smollett** (who played the titular character, Eve Batiste). However, the film features an ensemble of very famous actors in "lead" capacities, most notably **Samuel L. Jackson** (as Louis Batiste). Given that Jurnee Smollett was a child star in this film and has had a massive career resurgence recently, she is likely the actor you are thinking of. Below is a comprehensive list of her films and major television roles, followed by a summary for the other leads in case you were referring to them. ### **1. Jurnee Smollett (Eve Batiste)** You likely recognize her because she has transitioned from a prominent child actor to a major star in blockbuster films and prestige TV. **Feature Films:** * **Jack (1996):** Her film debut alongside Robin Williams; she played the young girl, Phoebe. * **Beautiful Joe (2000):** Played the character Vivien. * **Roll Bounce (2005):** Played Tori, the "nerdy" childhood friend who has a "glow up" at the end of the film. * **Gridiron Gang (2006):** Played Danyelle Rollins in this football drama starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. * **The Great Debaters (2007):** A major breakout role as Samantha Booke, starring alongside Denzel Washington. * **Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013):** The lead role of Judith in this Tyler Perry drama. * **Hands of Stone (2016):** Played Juanita Leonard (wife of Sugar Ray Leonard). * **Birds of Prey (2020):** Played **Dinah Lance / Black Canary** in the DC Extended Universe. * **Spiderhead (2022):** Played Lizzy in this Netflix sci-fi thriller starring Chris Hemsworth. * **Lou (2022):** Starred as Hannah, a mother searching for her kidnapped daughter. * **The Burial (2023):** Played Mame Downes, a high-powered lawyer opposing Jamie Foxx. **Notable TV Roles (Where you may have also seen her):** * **Full House (1992–1994):** She played Denise Frazer, Michelle Tanner’s best friend. * **Friday Night Lights (2009–2011):** Played Jess Merriweather. * **True Blood (2013–2014):** Played Nicole Wright. * **Underground (2016–2017):** Starred as Rosalee, a house slave on a Georgia plantation. * **Lovecraft Country (2020):** Starred as Letitia "Leti" Lewis (Emmy-nominated role). --- ### **2. Samuel L. Jackson (Louis Batiste)** Samuel L. Jackson played the father and was also a producer on the film. Since he has been in over 150 movies, listing "all" would be exhaustive, but here are the ones most people recognize him for: * **Pulp Fiction (1994):** Jules Winnfield (his breakout iconic role). * **The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008–Present):** **Nick Fury** in *Iron Man, The Avengers*, etc. * **Star Wars Prequels:** Mace Windu. * **Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995):** Zeus Carver. * **A Time to Kill (1996):** Carl Lee Hailey. * **Jackie Brown (1977), Django Unchained (2012), The Hateful Eight (2015):** Frequent collaborator with Quentin Tarantino. * **Snakes on a Plane (2006):** Neville Flynn. * **The Incredibles (2004):** Voice of Frozone ("Where is my super suit?"). --- ### **3. Meagan Good (Cisely Batiste)** She played Eve's older sister and, like Jurnee Smollett, became a major star as an adult. * **Deliver Us from Eva (2003)** * **You Got Served (2004)** * **Think Like a Man (2012)** and its sequel. * **Shazam! (2019) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023):** Played the adult/superhero version of Darla. * **Harlem (TV Series):** Lead role of Camille. --- ### **4. Lynn Whitfield (Roz Batiste)** She played the mother, Roz. * **The Josephine Baker Story (1991):** Her most famous role (won an Emmy). * **A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996):** Played Brandi Web. * **Greenleaf (2016–2020):** Played the formidable Lady Mae Greenleaf. **Summary:** If you saw *Eve's Bayou* and felt the lead looked familiar, you are almost certainly thinking of **Jurnee Smollett**, given her recent high-profile roles in *Lovecraft Country* and *Birds of Prey*.