THE model-slash-actor and musican-slash-actor archetypes are about as cliché as Hollywood gets. So much so that “Zoolander” awarded the fictitious VH1 “Slashie” to model-actor Fabio.
While the results of using musician-actors and model-actors are iffy at best – think Mariah Carey in “Glitter” and Cindy Crawford in “Fair Game” – director John Singleton went out of his way to cast slashies in “Four Brothers.”
Why? “The movie executives just want to put asses in the seats,” says Tyrese Gibson, who got his start as a Guess? Model, MTV veejay and R&B singer before turning to film. Here’s a handy crib sheet for determining who’s the slashiest talent in “Four Brothers.”
Name: Mark Wahlberg
AKA: “Marky Mark” (of the Funky Bunch)
Multi-tasking: Rapper/underwear model/actor/producer
Best known for: Showing way too much of his boxers
Least known for: Getting buff in jail
Flair: Dirk Diggler’s “Boogie Nights” prosthetic
Third nipple: Yes
Slash factor: 8
Name: Tyrese Gibson
AKA: “Tyrese”
Multi-tasking: R&B singer/model/VJ/actor/rapper
Best known for: Monumental billboard ads
Least known for: Hosting “MTV Jams”
Flair: Six-pack abs
Third nipple: No
Slash factor: 9
Name: Andre Benjamin
AKA: “Andre 3000” (of OutKast)
Multitasking: Hip-hop singer/clothing designer/actor
Best known for: Shaking it like a Polaroid
Least known for: Wanting to be an artist
Flair: Colorfully bizarre getups
Third nipple: No
Slash factor: 7
Name: Garrett Hedlund
AKA: Brad’s “Troy” boy toy
Multi-tasking: L.L. Bean model/actor
Best known for: Fumbling in “Friday Night Lights”
Least known for: Driving a tractor as a kid
Flair: Flowing blond locks
Third nipple: No
Slash factor: 4