In an early episode of ER, Eriq La Salle, as Dr. Peter Benton, had a patient who needed emergency surgery. But the doctor best qualified to perform the operation was not immediately available. What to do?
Dr. Benton cut the man open and plunged right in. Very confident, very aggressive, this Dr. Benton.
“That’s nothing,” said La Salle, as confident as his character. “In the next episode, I wear a cape.”
The role of TV’s Superman is already taken. But Dr. Benton is one strong character. And when you cross off the characters who wear badges and/or carry guns, he’s the most assertive African-American male lead character in network television.
“He’s confident, self-assured, an over-achiever,” La Salle said.
But not without vulnerabilities. The intense Dr. Benton has concentrated on his work to the detriment of some family ties. And another Type-A resident physician stomped on his cape in beating him out for a coveted fellowship.
La Salle is aware of where Benton ranks among TV’s black characters. “Sitcoms have been our stock in trade,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure this is a brother who has some say.”
So far, so good. “It’s been our commitment not to compromise any of the characters,” he said. “As time goes on, you’ll see other dimensions, but without compromising the things that work – the confidence, the cockiness of my character. I don’t want them to allow him to get soft or sentimental.”
Benton will be revealed as a man from a simple, working-class background, La Salle said, with a strong work ethic. “But definitely not middle class and not poor. There is an overlooked community when we look at the black community. In Hollywood we need the extremes.”
La Salle, 32 and single, grew up in Hartford, Conn. He guards his privacy closely but allowed that Benton’s background is similar to his own.
The high profile of ER has prompted the producers of his theatrical film DROP Squad to feature La Salle more prominently in their ads.
He has used the sudden money to move into a new place, but his dream house, he said, is still two years away.
“It will be very self-contained, with an office, a pool room,” he said. “I’m very private and like to stay home. When you have a schedule like ours, it’s important to create a sanctuary and safe haven that stimulates you and keeps you focused.”
La Salle said he doesn’t want to become a recluse, but he refuses to go terribly public. “The Hollywood stuff is cool on the one hand,” he said. “But at the end of the day it’s just that. There are people starving in the world. Let’s not take this too seriously.”
