Rent is Due: Part 2

Jesse L. Martin (Tom Collins) Jesse L. Martin is probably know for two roles – the dashing, romantic Collins; a former MIT New Age Philosophy professor who falls quickly in love with the equally HIV-positive Angel. This couldn’t be more different from his other famous role, the serious Detective Ed Green on Law and Order, whom Martin has played for the past 9 years. It was recently reported that Martin will step down from the show this season (no word on if it was his choice or the producers’). But, his moment could be coming as he gears up to play Marvin Gaye in Sexual Healing, now in pre-production. Martin seems like a natural choice for this roll, and hopefully it will do for him what Ray did for Jamie Fox.

Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Angel Dumott Schunard) Wilson played the ingénue of Rent, the innocent, optimistic Angel. In real-life, Heredia has the Law and Order appearance of his co-stars (check!), and a handful of other small movies and TV appearances, but nothing to rival his roll on Angel. He’s still working at it and according to his blog “hustling over here in LaLa land,” so keep an eye out for Heredia in the future.

Fredi Walker (Joanne Jefferson) As Joanne, the straight-laced civil rights attourney and better half or her relationship with diva Maureen, Fredi Walker managed to make her character both responsible and fun. Walker was the only other original cast member to be shut out of the film in favor of Traci Thoms (possibly because of her age). Information about her is spotty on the interwebs, but rumor has it she toured with Lion King, and is now a teacher.