Meeting Anne-Marie Johnson At The NYC Screening Of “THE ADDICTION OF HOPE”
After nearly twenty years in the entertainment industry, you’d think I’d be jaded by now—immune to red carpets, unbothered by studio screenings, and fully desensitized to the annual parade of Emmy and Oscar season soirées. But nope. Not even close. Between the series and films I’ve worked on, the dazzling premieres, the star-stuffed award parties, and the endless parade of cocktail receptions and FYC events, it’s all felt like one big, glitter-covered dream I still can’t quite believe I’m living.
And here’s the funny part: after all this time, I’m still that same wide-eyed kid inside, buzzing with excitement every time I walk into a theater lobby with a step-and-repeat. Case in point: this past April 2025, when I scored an invite from the film’s publicist to an exclusive preview screening of the independent drama “The Addiction of Hope” at the SVA Theatre in Chelsea.
Little did I know the night would turn into one of those “only in New York” moments—complete with an unforgettable encounter with the brilliant actress Anne-Marie Johnson herself.
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Growing up, I devoured sitcoms like “What’s Happening Now!”, “Double Trouble,” and “In Living Color”—not to mention comedy film classics like “Hollywood Shuffle” and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.” What I didn’t know back then was that the talented actress popping up in all those projects was the same woman who starred in the dramatic TV series I was absolutely obsessed with, “In the Heat of the Night”: the one and only Anne-Marie Johnson.
Anne-Marie, who kicked off her career on the groundbreaking NBC drama “Hill Street Blues,” also made history in 2008 as the first African American woman elected national vice president of the Screen Actors Guild. Her IMDb page is basically a master class in range—outrageous comedy on one line, emotional heavyweights on the next. No wonder I never connected the dots back in the day; she’s a total chameleon who has been part of my TV and movie life for decades without me even realizing it.
Cut to earlier this year: I reached out to her publicist to schedule a Hollywood Obsessed podcast interview, and while prepping for our conversation, that’s when it finally hit me… SHE was the same actress from all the films and series I grew up loving. Mind blown.
So when my friend Jack and I walked into the theater for the preview screening of “The Addiction of Hope”, my excitement level was already at a full-blown 10 before the lights even dimmed.
The film centers on Joanne Stock (Anne-Marie Johnson), an African-American actress of a certain age who finds herself at a crossroads—forced to choose between clinging to past success or confronting uncomfortable change when her sister Lynnie (Harley Jane Kozak) falls ill. It’s a story about family, ambition, aging, identity, and the courage it takes to pivot your life when the world is urging you to stay the same. The stellar cast includes Clancy Brown, Erika Alexander, Shari Belafonte, Harley Jane Kozak, Alan Rosenberg, and Matthew Moy.
And let me tell you—it was an unforgettable night.
After the screening, we were treated to a deeply thoughtful Q&A with director Martin A. Gottlieb and Anne-Marie herself, who is simply magnetic in this role.
“The Addiction of Hope” is a bold, female-driven drama that tackles ageism in Hollywood head-on—an issue that absolutely needs more attention. It’s intimate, emotional, and fearless about asking the big, uncomfortable questions about life, career, and identity.
The film is heading to the festival circuit next, but once it finally hits nationwide release, take my advice: put it at the TOP of your must-watch list.
And yes, yours truly got to spend time with the amazing Anne-Marie afterward plus I had the pleasure of interviewing her on my podcast - which are currently up for you to listen to. She’s smart, sharp, hilarious, and her stories are FANTASTIC!
Honestly? It’s one of my favorite interviews I’ve done. Don’t miss it!
Episode 145 – HERE
Episode 146 – HERE
“The Addiction of Hope” - For future screenings and updates, visit the film’s official website:
Trivia - In The Heat of The Night
