Salli Richardson takes on top Sci-Fi channel TV role

Jet, July 16, 2007 by Marti Parham

Actress Salli Richardson says that one of the biggest misconceptions about her is that she has stopped acting. She wants her fans to know that nothing could be further from the truth.

"I'm always working but it may be on a show that's not necessarily just geared toward our market," the Chicago native explains. "Sometimes people feel as if you've disappeared. I've been here. I've been working all the time."

Richardson's past acting credits include the TV shows "CSI: Miami" and "House M.D." along with the movies Antwone Fisher, Biker Boyz and Posse.

In her most current role Richardson stars as Allison Blake, the female lead of the Sci-Fi channel's No. 1 show "Eureka," which makes its second season premiere this week. As Blake, Richardson, the head of Global Dynamics, serves as the government liaison between the Pentagon and the town of Eureka, which is full of scientists and military secrets.

The mother to 2-year-old daughter Parker and wife to actor Dondre Whitfield, says that her character was initially tailored for a Caucasian female. In the end race was not a deciding factor when it came to picking the right actress.

"Bottom line, the reason we wanted Salli to play Allison Blake is because she's a terrific actress," states Jaime Paglia, the show's executive producer/creator. "It's rare to find someone who can play both comedy and drama ... The fact that she's absolutely stunning was a lucky bonus."

This winter she will star opposite Will Smith in the action drama I am Legend. Fans should also keep their eyes open for Richardson's new skin care line for people of color called SAVI Beauty, slated to debut later this fall.

Until then she can be seen on "Eureka," wrestling with never-ending crises and moral dilemmas every Tuesday evening at 9PT/8CT.