Gbenga Akinnagbe: 'Wire' star and activist

Actor, writer, activist and Brooklynite Gbenga Akinnagbe joins us to discuss his career and his latest offscreen role: Working to save a 140-year-old living landmark in Bed-Stuy, a magnolia tree that has survived and thrived in the least likely place. Today its very existence is in peril — as is the environmental community center that was established around it in 1977. Akinnagbe is perhaps best known for his role as Chris Parlow, the terrifying assassin on HBO’s “The Wire.” He can currently be seen in FX’s “The Old Man” as a hit man sent to kill a former CIA operative played by Jeff Bridges. He also played Tom Robinson in Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Today we talk about his career, his other philanthropic efforts, living in Brooklyn and more.     Brooklyn news and views you can use: bkmag.com Email: [email protected] Follow along on Facebook: Brooklyn Magazine Twitter: @brooklynmag Instagram: @brooklynmagazine Follow Brian Braiker on Twitter: @slarkpope