White Actors Who Credit Black Co-Stars for Teaching Them Real Slang

When people from different backgrounds work closely together on a film set, cultural exchange often happens organically. It’s common for white actors to talk about learning new words or slang from their Black co-stars during breaks. These moments often come up in interviews, where cast members playfully discuss their differences in language. Typically, a younger or more culturally aware Black actor will explain current slang to a colleague who might not be familiar with it. These friendly exchanges often show that real bonds have formed between the actors, going beyond just performing their roles.

Sebastian Stan

This actor and Anthony Mackie have become well-known friends after working together for years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans love their playful dynamic, especially when Mackie good-naturedly pokes fun at his co-star for not always knowing the latest slang. A running joke between them centers around Mackie’s habit of saying “cut the check” on set to praise a great performance. The actor has shared that Mackie often helps him stay up-to-date on American slang. Their comedic timing works so well because Mackie often playfully acts as the teacher, while his co-star plays the slightly confused student.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland, the British actor known for ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming,’ had a lot to learn when it came to sounding and acting like an American teenager. He relied on his co-star Zendaya to help him understand Gen Z slang and American high school life, as he often stumbled over terms and phrases. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon would playfully point out his mistakes on set. She really helped him make his portrayal of a teenager from Queens feel genuine, even explaining popular internet trends he wasn’t familiar with.

Millie Bobby Brown

The young actors in ‘Stranger Things’ became close friends both on and off camera. Millie Bobby Brown has often said that Caleb McLaughlin is the one who introduces the group to new music and popular phrases. He brings a fun energy to the set, influencing how his co-stars talk and what they enjoy during breaks. Many behind-the-scenes videos show McLaughlin teaching Brown and Noah Schnapp new dances or slang. Brown believes he helped keep the group current and cool as they adjusted to becoming famous.

Chris Evans

Though Captain America’s character is from the past, Chris Evans depends on his fellow actors to help him stay up-to-date with current trends. He’s become very close to Anthony Mackie through their many Marvel movies together, and appreciates Mackie’s energetic and modern way of speaking. Evans has even started using some of Mackie’s phrases and expressions, especially while they’re promoting films. It’s a respectful relationship where Evans readily lets Mackie guide conversations about pop culture.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson, known for his role in ‘The Batman,’ frequently makes light of the fact that he doesn’t use social media and isn’t very familiar with internet culture. While promoting the film, he often turned to his co-star, Zoë Kravitz, to help him understand American slang and online trends. Pattinson appreciates Kravitz’s natural ability to stay current with modern language and how easily she explains things. Her help allowed him to feel more comfortable during the stressful press events for the movie.

Jonah Hill

Throughout his career, Jonah Hill has become known for blending different cultures in his films, like ‘You People’. He frequently talks about how friendships with stars like Eddie Murphy and Snoop Dogg have shaped his sense of humor and how he uses language. He always shows deep respect for these established performers. Hill also believes that being involved in hip-hop and talking with Black artists has greatly improved his ability to improvise. This real-life experience often translates directly into his characters’ ability to seamlessly switch between different ways of speaking on screen.

Timothée Chalamet

While filming ‘Don’t Look Up’, Timothée Chalamet became close friends with Kid Cudi, whom he’d admired for years. Cudi has been a significant influence on Chalamet’s work, and being on set together allowed Chalamet to learn from Cudi’s perspective and style. Chalamet often speaks about Cudi as a mentor who helped him understand the importance of being genuine. Their connection goes beyond just being coworkers; it’s a meaningful relationship built on shared artistic values.

Martin Freeman

Morgan Freeman was among the few white actors working on ‘Black Panther,’ and he thoroughly enjoyed being part of the film. He often talks about the energetic and culturally proud environment created by the primarily Black cast and crew. The British actor shared that he learned a lot simply by listening to the conversations between his American and African colleagues. He felt honored to be a guest in that creative space and especially enjoyed learning the unique slang used by the younger actors, viewing the whole experience as a valuable learning opportunity that broadened his perspective.

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum’s career took off with the ‘Step Up’ movies, and he quickly became involved in the world of street dance. He worked closely with Black dancers and choreographers who shared their moves and the culture behind them. He often speaks about how his early co-stars helped him develop the confidence and rhythm needed for his roles. This experience with the dance scene had a lasting impact on his personal style and how he speaks, and he’s always expressed his deep respect for the dancers who embraced him.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake is famous for his music, but he’s also appeared in films like ‘Alpha Dog’ and ‘In Time’. He often credits producer Timbaland with greatly influencing his musical style and the way he speaks, and this influence is even noticeable in his acting roles, where he often delivers lines with a distinct rhythm. Throughout his career, working closely with Black producers and actors has clearly impacted his language and vocabulary. Timberlake himself recognizes that his artistic style is a result of the diverse people and settings he’s experienced.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson, star of ‘The Marvels,’ recently did a lot of press with her co-stars Teyonah Parris and Samuel L. Jackson. Having been friends with Jackson for a long time, Larson often asks him for advice during interviews. She also quickly connected with Parris and Iman Vellani, who helped her understand current trends and slang she wasn’t familiar with. The three actresses formed a close, sisterly bond, sharing stories and explaining things to each other. Larson appreciates how her co-stars brought a more relaxed and playful energy to the promotional events, something she sometimes finds difficult to achieve on her own.

Andrew Garfield

While filming ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’, British actor Andrew Garfield worked alongside Jamie Foxx, who is famous for his energetic and humorous personality. Garfield has said that Foxx kept him engaged during long filming days and introduced him to a new style of American comedy and slang. The difference in their backgrounds – Garfield’s classical training versus Foxx’s comedic style – made for a lively and educational experience. Garfield frequently relied on Foxx’s expertise when they needed to add more realistic, street-smart dialogue to their scenes.

Norman Reedus

Norman Reedus, known for his role in ‘The Walking Dead,’ worked alongside Danai Gurira for more than ten years during the show’s run. The close relationship between their characters extended to a genuine friendship between the actors themselves. Reedus often talks about how the show’s diverse cast regularly shared music and language, creating a vibrant atmosphere on set and exposing him to new cultures. The long filming days in the Georgia heat encouraged a free exchange of stories and slang.

Jennifer Lawrence

While making the movie ‘Causeway,’ Jennifer Lawrence became good friends with her co-star, Brian Tyree Henry. The film needed a realistic and honest connection between their characters, and that carried over into their relationship off camera. Lawrence has often spoken about how genuine Henry is and how much he brought to their discussions. They spent time sharing personal stories and learning from each other’s lives, which led to Lawrence picking up some of Henry’s unique expressions and sense of humor.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo, known for playing the Hulk, is often seen as the friendly, fatherly figure of the Avengers team, but he playfully admits to not always being up-to-date with modern trends. He often asks his younger co-stars, like Anthony Mackie and Don Cheadle, to explain current memes and slang. Ruffalo embraces these moments with good humor and a genuine desire to learn from those around him, which helps him stay connected to what younger generations are into.

Tell us which of these actor friendships surprised you the most in the comments.

2025-12-16 04:16