By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
Actor Jay Ellis, best known for his role as “Lawrence” in the HBO hit series “Insecure,” and as Lt. Reuben “Payback” Fitch in the 2022 blockbuster, “Top Gun: Maverick,” is having the time of his life right now.
He is in Tulsa, Oklahoma at his alma mater, Booker T. Washington High School, as part of his book tour in support of his first book, a memoir, titled, “Did Everyone Have An Imaginary Friend? (Or Just Me) Adventures in Boyhood.”
The mood is chaotic at the school as some of his old classmates mixed with new students are excited to see and hear from him.
“I haven’t been in this building since 1998,” said Ellis, who took a break from the merriment for a phone interview. “It’s surreal. You see faces that you haven’t seen since you were a sophomore in high school.”
After leaving Oklahoma, the book tour will take Ellis to Houston and then back to Los Angeles. Malik Books hosted a book release party, “Jay Ellis In Conversation with Issa Rae,” Aug. 13 at the Miracle Theater in Inglewood.
In the book, Ellis explores his childhood as an Air Force brat who attended 12 different schools in 13 years and how he tried to cope as a young man growing up by creating an imaginary friend named Mikey.
“It was very cathartic writing the book,” said Ellis, whose father was a pilot in the Air Force. “It was interesting. I started writing the book during the pandemic. I was looking at some childhood photos. I started to remember my imaginary friend. I decided to write a book about imagination, and how, as we grow up, we slowly start to lose it. Imagination is there to fill something inside of you.”
Ellis’ imaginary friend, Mikey, became a big part of his life when he was about 5.
“The first time Mikey showed up, we were living in Tampa, Florida,” Ellis said. “It was during a storm. I was afraid that my room had been flooded because there were alligators in Florida. I thought they would be in my room. I was afraid to get out of bed and run to my parents’ room. Mikey popped over my shoulder and said, ‘I ain’t gon’ be no crock’s dinner.’ And I said, ‘Me either.’ We were best friends from there. He became my best friend and we went on amazing adventures together.”
Ellis describes Mikey as looking like Dwayne Wayne from “A Different World,” or the Fresh Prince. He wore Jordans and Cross Colours, denim and suspenders.
Ellis said he is still in touch with Mikey but in “a different way.”
“I think we all have an imagination and creativity as children and then life happens and we lose it, but we still need it in our lives,” he said. “The imagination is so powerful. It allows us to see what could be. It allows us to see worlds. My inner voice is still there.”
Ellis believes Mikey came into his life at a time when he needed help processing situations.
“It was to process the chaos of being an 80s baby who came of age in the 90s, and moving around so much,” Ellis said. “I went to 12 schools in 13 years. I became someone different at every school. When a particular personality didn’t work at one school, I would let it go and become someone else at the next school.
“I think Mikey was there to help me. Because of him, I’m comfortable in any room. I’ve been around so many people, so many types. I was always in a different environment. Mikey coached me through all of that.”
Ellis said he carved out two hours every morning to write the book.
“Sometimes I woke up in the middle of the night and would send emails to myself,” he said. “Then when I really woke up, I would read them. Some days I wrote a lot, some a little. Sometimes I would find out what was buried.
“Sometimes we find out why we think and move a certain way. There are moments when you realize there are moments that have been pivotal to who you are. They all come to light. Why do I wash dishes while I cook? Why do I read books in bed? It all comes out.”
Ellis promises there are some surprises in the book that people don’t know about him.
“When I was in the seventh grade, I joined a gang,” he said. “Most people don’t know that. It went disastrously wrong. I didn’t know I had to get jumped in. I was terrified. I would hide all over the place so that I wouldn’t get jumped in.
“I also took many road trips with my grandparents. I got to see this entire country. I experienced 30 states by the time I was 12.”
Ellis, a married father of two, said he wrote the book for “Everybody.”
“It’s for anyone who hasn’t dealt with their inner child who hasn’t had healing,” said Ellis, who is looking forward to sitting down and having a conversation about the book with his former co-star Issa Rae. “Sometimes you get stuck with finding your own ‘why,’” he added. “You get stuck with finding what fuels you. I found my ‘why.’ I’m an actor. I’m a storyteller through every fiber of my being. I get to go out and create roles.”
“This memoir blends humor and heart in a way that resonates deeply with readers,” said Malik Muhammad, co-owner of Malik Books. “Jay Ellis has crafted a narrative that is both hilarious and poignant, offering a unique perspective on growing up with an imaginary best friend.
“This event promises to be not only entertaining but also insightful as we delve into the themes explored in ‘Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?: Adventures in Boyhood,’” said April Muhammad, co-owner of Malik Books.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
