Lem Van Adams
Encyclopedia
Lem Van Adams is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food
as Lem Harris, and was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer
. In the television series, the surname was changed to Van Adams, the role was assumed by Darrin Dewitt Henson.
, Lem is the only son of Lynette Van Adams (Debbi Morgan
) and a man named Lemuel (who may or may not have been Lynette's husband). Although the couple originally named their son after Lemuel, Lynette legally changed the boy's name to "Lem" after the relationship soured. Lem was raised in an impoverished environment, and was exposed to many adult situations at a young age, including the reality of his mother's multiple relationships with men. In fact, most of Lem's family members were negative influences, with the notable exception of his cousin Jack (Gary Dourdan
). Eventually, Lem became a drug dealer, working primarily with a man nicknamed "Philky" (Treach
). After several arrests, he was convicted on felony drug charges and sent to prison for five years. Upon his release, he resolved to live as a law-abiding citizen. Soon, he fell in love with hair stylist Tracy "Bird" Joseph who was named Robin Joseph in the 1999 film Soul Food. (Nia Long
, Malinda Williams). The two were married, and moved in with Bird's mother Josephine
, and Josephine's senile brother Pete (John M. Watson Sr., Ardon Bess). The couple remained in the house after Josephine's death, and Pete eventually returned to his hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi
.
Although most of the Joseph family accepted Lem with open arms, Bird's sister Teri
(Vanessa L. Williams
, Nicole Ari Parker
) clashed with him frequently. Lem was almost sent back to prison after Teri misinterpreted the outcome of an argument that he and Bird had about one of her former suitors, Simuel St. James (Mel Jackson
). Mistakenly believing that Lem had physically struck Bird, Teri called her cousin Blimp to "teach him a lesson". More than capable of handling himself, Lem quickly gained the upper hand in the ensuing confrontration, but the police became involved. Only after Teri called in a few favors was Lem able to avoid prison. Eventually, Lem and Teri worked out their differences and established a strong family relationship. When Teri's engagement to sports agent
Damon Carter
(Boris Kodjoe
) began to fall apart, no one came to her aid more quickly than Lem.
Often the first suspect when a crime occurred, Lem was falsely accused of arson when J&H Groceries burned to the ground. The store was owned by Bird and her two sisters, and managed by Lem until his resignation just before the fire. Through the efforts of Teri and her legal colleague Bob Wayne (Christopher B. Duncan
), Lem was soon exonerated. His brother-in-law Kenny Chadway
(Jeffrey D. Sams
, Rockmond Dunbar
) hired him at his company, Chadway Towing. Simultaneously, Lem began working for local entrepreneur Baron Marks (Michael Warren
). Baron was also a former street thug and, coincidentally, a former suitor of Lem's mother Lynette. When Lem's nephew Ahmad
(Brandon Hammond
, Aaron Meeks
) witnessed a drug-related murder, Baron was instrumental in protecting the boy from harm.
Gradually, Baron and Lem formed a strong father-son bond, much to the chagrin of Baron's actual son Cameron (Usher
). Insecure and jealous, Cameron ruined his relationship with his father trying to belittle Lem in Baron's eyes. Eventually, Baron died of heart disease, leaving a devastated Lem without the only father figure he had ever truly known.
The lessons that Lem learned as a grocery store manager and a budding entrepreneur were not lost. Eventually, he opened his own independent grocery store on Chicago's South Side
. It was so successful that the major supermarket stores in the neighborhood went out of business, allowing he and Bird to purchase a huge home of their own, and move out of the Joseph family house.
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
as Lem Harris, and was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his multi-year role as Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama ER and his co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile...
. In the television series, the surname was changed to Van Adams, the role was assumed by Darrin Dewitt Henson.
Character Background
A lifelong resident of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Lem is the only son of Lynette Van Adams (Debbi Morgan
Debbi Morgan
Deborah "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on the ABC soap opera All My Children, and for her role as The Seer in the fourth and fifth seasons of Charmed.Morgan joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as...
) and a man named Lemuel (who may or may not have been Lynette's husband). Although the couple originally named their son after Lemuel, Lynette legally changed the boy's name to "Lem" after the relationship soured. Lem was raised in an impoverished environment, and was exposed to many adult situations at a young age, including the reality of his mother's multiple relationships with men. In fact, most of Lem's family members were negative influences, with the notable exception of his cousin Jack (Gary Dourdan
Gary Dourdan
Gary Robert Dourdan is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Warrick Brown on the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.-Early years:...
). Eventually, Lem became a drug dealer, working primarily with a man nicknamed "Philky" (Treach
Treach
Anthony Criss , better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.-Career:...
). After several arrests, he was convicted on felony drug charges and sent to prison for five years. Upon his release, he resolved to live as a law-abiding citizen. Soon, he fell in love with hair stylist Tracy "Bird" Joseph who was named Robin Joseph in the 1999 film Soul Food. (Nia Long
Nia Long
Nia Talita Long is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, Big Momma's House 2, Are We There...
, Malinda Williams). The two were married, and moved in with Bird's mother Josephine
Josephine Joseph (Soul Food)
Josephine Joseph is a fictional character from the 1997 film Soul Food, and the Showtime television series of the same name. Along with her grandson Ahmad -- who refers to her as "Big Mama" -- she serves as the moral and emotional center of the film. Additionally, she makes recurring appearances...
, and Josephine's senile brother Pete (John M. Watson Sr., Ardon Bess). The couple remained in the house after Josephine's death, and Pete eventually returned to his hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 44,779 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Forrest County...
.
Although most of the Joseph family accepted Lem with open arms, Bird's sister Teri
Teri Joseph
Teri Joseph Carter is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food, and was portrayed by Vanessa L. Williams...
(Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
, Nicole Ari Parker
Nicole Ari Parker
Nicole Ari Parker Kodjoe , also known as Nikki Kodjoe, is an American actress and a former model. She is perhaps best known for her role as attorney Teri Joseph on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food and her role as Becky Barnett in Boogie Nights.-Early life:Parker was born in...
) clashed with him frequently. Lem was almost sent back to prison after Teri misinterpreted the outcome of an argument that he and Bird had about one of her former suitors, Simuel St. James (Mel Jackson
Mel Jackson
Melton Jackson is an African-American actor, producer, spoken word artist and R&B musician.- Career :Film...
). Mistakenly believing that Lem had physically struck Bird, Teri called her cousin Blimp to "teach him a lesson". More than capable of handling himself, Lem quickly gained the upper hand in the ensuing confrontration, but the police became involved. Only after Teri called in a few favors was Lem able to avoid prison. Eventually, Lem and Teri worked out their differences and established a strong family relationship. When Teri's engagement to sports agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
Damon Carter
Damon Carter
Damon Carter is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. He is the only major Soul Food character that was created specifically for the television series, and not the 1997 motion picture...
(Boris Kodjoe
Boris Kodjoe
Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe , better known as Boris Kodjoe, is an Austrian-born German actor and former fashion model who works primarily in the United States...
) began to fall apart, no one came to her aid more quickly than Lem.
Often the first suspect when a crime occurred, Lem was falsely accused of arson when J&H Groceries burned to the ground. The store was owned by Bird and her two sisters, and managed by Lem until his resignation just before the fire. Through the efforts of Teri and her legal colleague Bob Wayne (Christopher B. Duncan
Christopher B. Duncan
Christopher B. Duncan is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Braxton P. Hartnabrig on The Jamie Foxx Show and he is also known for playing President Barack Obama on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He portrayed Obama in the 2010 film My Name is Khan as well.Duncan received his B.F.A....
), Lem was soon exonerated. His brother-in-law Kenny Chadway
Kenny Chadway
Kenneth "Kenny" Chadway is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food as Kenny Simmons, and was portrayed by Jeffrey D. Sams...
(Jeffrey D. Sams
Jeffrey D. Sams
Jeffrey D. Sams is an American actor known primarily for his television work.A native of Ohio, Sams has been a main cast member of several television series, few of which have made it past their first season...
, Rockmond Dunbar
Rockmond Dunbar
Rockmond Dunbar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny Chadway on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food, and as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the FOX television drama series Prison Break...
) hired him at his company, Chadway Towing. Simultaneously, Lem began working for local entrepreneur Baron Marks (Michael Warren
Michael Warren (actor)
Michael Warren is an American TV actor and former college basketball player, best known for playing Officer Bobby Hill on the NBC television series Hill Street Blues.-College basketball career:...
). Baron was also a former street thug and, coincidentally, a former suitor of Lem's mother Lynette. When Lem's nephew Ahmad
Ahmad Chadway
Ahmad Chadway is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. He first appeared as the narrator and central character of the 1997 film Soul Food. Originally, he was named Ahmad Simmons, and was portrayed by Brandon Hammond...
(Brandon Hammond
Brandon Hammond
Brandon Hammond is an American former child actor who appeared in a string of high profile projects in the 1990s.Hammond's first film role was in Menace II Society where he played the younger version of the main character Caine...
, Aaron Meeks
Aaron Meeks
Aaron Joseph Meeks is an NAACP Image Award-winning American actor. He is best known for his role as Ahmad Chadway on the Showtime television series Soul Food.-Series:...
) witnessed a drug-related murder, Baron was instrumental in protecting the boy from harm.
Gradually, Baron and Lem formed a strong father-son bond, much to the chagrin of Baron's actual son Cameron (Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
). Insecure and jealous, Cameron ruined his relationship with his father trying to belittle Lem in Baron's eyes. Eventually, Baron died of heart disease, leaving a devastated Lem without the only father figure he had ever truly known.
The lessons that Lem learned as a grocery store manager and a budding entrepreneur were not lost. Eventually, he opened his own independent grocery store on Chicago's South Side
South Side (Chicago)
The South Side is a major part of the City of Chicago, which is located in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Much of it has evolved from the city's incorporation of independent townships, such as Hyde Park Township which voted along with several other townships to be annexed in the June 29,...
. It was so successful that the major supermarket stores in the neighborhood went out of business, allowing he and Bird to purchase a huge home of their own, and move out of the Joseph family house.