By Stacy A. Anderson
NYT Institute

Two Dillard University graduates appeared in the season finale of “Law and Order” Wednesday night.

John Duwayne Jackson and Leslie Elliard made cameo appearances on the cop drama, which ranked third in prime time television, according to Nielsen Media Research spokesman Matt Tatham. Approximately 12.4 million viewers watched the products of Dillard’s theater department.

Jackson graduated in 1997 and earned a degree in speech communication and theater.

He first showed interest in acting as a sophomore in high school. “I took acting as an elective,” he said. “My teacher thought we were clowns and let us audition for a school play instead of doing a paper.”

During college at Florida A&M University, he gained the attention of professor Garey Hyatt.

“Mr. Hyatt had such an influence on students,” Jackson said. In fact, Jackson transferred to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Dillard University to follow his mentor.

Hyatt, who taught at Dillard University from 1995 to 2005, praised Jackson. He recalled a day in his introduction to theater class at FAMU when Jackson read the role of Eugene in the civil-rights-movement-themed play, “Contribution.”

“I saw something in him when he read,” Hyatt said. “That boy has some talent.” After class, Hyatt urged Jackson to read for a play on campus called “Checkmate.” Jackson quickly proved his skills and earned a role in a play that features only four cast members.

“He’s a fine actor- very serious about his work,” Hyatt said. “I love his sense of focus and leadership. He had a positive influence on people.”

After graduating from Dillard in 1997, the Battle Creek, Mich., native attended graduate school at Temple University, where he earned his master's degree in fine arts with a focus in theater. Upon graduation in 2000, Johnson headed to New York to pursue his career in theater and acting.

Jackson has more than 10 credits which include a snitch on CBS’s “Hack” during the 2003 season, Chris, a cocky music producer on UPN’s “As If” in 2002, Marine paramedic Latrell Griffith on two episodes of “Third Watch” during the 2002 season, and Jaspar Goodwin in 1997’s “The Big Easy.”

Jackson plans to relocate to Los Angeles later this month. “I want to be where I’m actually utilized the most.”

Leslie Elliard, a 1999 Dillard graduate already enjoys the best of both coasts. Elliard starred as lead detective on Wednesday night’s episode entitled “Locomotion.” He is an established actor on Broadway, starring in Regina Taylor’s “Crowns” as the only male lead in 2003. Elliard has also starred as Mufasa in “Lion King” for the past year and nine months.

His TV credits include playing Detective Taylor on CBS’s “Hack” in 2004 and Lucius Hayes on HBO’s “The Wire” from 2003 to 2004.

Elliard graduated from Dillard with a B.A. in speech communication and theater. Hyatt said that he also contributed to the theater department at Dillard.

“He’s a very talented guy,” Hyatt said. “Leslie filled the spot when J.D. left as our lead actor. He’s what you call a triple threat. He can sing, dance and act.”

The alumni worked together in 1997 when Elliard was stage manager for a play produced by the theater department called “Shades of Gray,” while Jackson was director. The alumni briefly saw each other at the custom fitting for the season finale for “Law and Order,” but didn’t film any scenes together.

The Detroit native also recounted what he learned from Dillard. “It was the opposite of nurturing,” Elliard said. “It forced students to fend for themselves, how to be aggressive in pursuing what you wanted. You had to do it on your own or find people with the same passions to collaborate.”

Along with acting, Elliard has produced music with his roommate, another Dillard alumnus, Jamal Sterling. “We get to dabble in it all before we settle. There’s possible career expansion,” Elliard said.

His most recent project includes the “Barbershop” series for Showtime, which is scheduled to air August 10. “I’ve been so wrapped up in ‘Barbershop.’ It’s every actor’s dream being in a series,” he said.

Elliard will reprise Sean Patrick Thomas’ character as Jimmy, the proper, educated and well-spoken barber.

The Dillard community responded positively to the alumni’s success on the small screen. “It’s pretty good,” said Michael DeBos, a 2004 graduate, who co-owns a theater consulting and construction company in New Orleans. “[These] actors are actually getting their SAG [Screen Actors Guild] cards and getting into feature shows, instead of reality shows that are taking over the TV. And the diversity…I’m happy to have Dillard alumni on TV.”