Bob Marley Was ‘Humble’ and ‘Loving’ with a ‘Tough Side,’ Says One Love’s Kingsley Ben-Adir (Exclusive)

Kingsley Ben-Adir knows quite a bit about the legendary Bob Marley.

The actor (37), who plays the late music icon in a new biopic, Bob Marley: One Lovetells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that Marley was “humble” and “kind,” but also had a “tough side.”

When asked to name the most useful advice he received from Marley’s family about being a reggae musician, Ben-Adir said: “If he was from the ghetto, [where] they called it Tuff Gong.”

According to The Washington PostTuff Gong “was a name given to him as a street kid in a Kingston ghetto called Trenchtown. The name has its roots in the Rastafarian philosophy Marley was exposed to at an early age. The name is supposed to denote a special ability and mission in life.”

As for that mission, Ben-Adir continues: “He was a gentle, kind, humble, loving human being who was committed to his music, who was committed to his mission and his message, but there was also a really hard side to Bob where he didn’t fumbled”.

Ben-Adir adds: “And he knew the streets. He wasn’t pushed around.”

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Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in ‘One Love’.

Paramount Pictures

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One lovewhich was produced in collaboration with the Marley family, “celebrates the life and music of an icon who has inspired generations with his message of love and unity,” reads the synopsis.

“For the first time on the big screen, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his groundbreaking music,” the synopsis adds.

The project was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who made his directorial debut with King Richard. Zach Baylin, screenwriter for King Richardhe wrote the screenplay for One love.

Along with Ben-Adir as Marley, the film also stars Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita Marley.

Bob Marley performs at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London in 1980.

Pete Still/Redferns

Ziggy Marley reveals what his father would think of the new film Bob Marley: One Love (Exclusive)

According to Ben-Adir, Marley “wasn’t perfect by any means,” noting, “Like many great artists, he had his flaws and his complexities.”

“So it was really about instructions, not advice, from the family and from the people of Jamaica, who knew Bob and loved him, who talked to me and shared so much,” the actor continues. “It kept repeating the same thing, that Bob… was a tough man.”

LIFE: Bob Marley.

Ben-Adir also emphasizes this One love “isn’t an American dad movie,” so he had to “find that nuance and that vulnerability, and make sure we respect that, but still show the love in him, his caring side.”

“It involved a lot of people and involved a lot of fine-tuning and caution,” he said Barbie adds the star.

One Live it’s in theaters on February 14. The LIFE: Bob Marley special edition is available now.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education