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Brandon Hammond delivered a sweet surprise to Soul Food fans on a very special occasion.
The actor, known for playing Ahmad in the 1997 hit film, shared photos from a reunion with costar Irma P. Hall, who played family matriarch Big Mama. Hall has seemingly retired from acting, with her last credit as Meemaw in 2017’s Hap and Leonard.
Hammond posted photos from the reunion, which he notes was a few years ago, on Instagram in celebration of Hall’s 90th birthday.
“Happy 90th Birthday to the LEGENDARY Ms. Irma P. Hall [June 3, 1935]! 🎉🎈🎊 It is not an overstatement to say that Irma’s career is nothing short of ICONIC,” he began his tribute.
“Beyond all of the wonderful things she’s done throughout her career, Irma is an even more wonderful and amazing person. Of course, I know Irma from our time together on the film Soul Food. I met her as an 12-year-old boy whom she immediately treated like her grandson,” he continued.
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“Because of Soul Food, Irma would affectionately be known by so many as ‘Big Mama’ and I, as her ‘favorite grandbaby’ – ☺️ and she and I would be forever linked. I am honored to share not only the screen but a friendship with her,” he added.
Soul Food also starred Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach and Mekhi Phifer.
Hammond noted that despite working with Hall again on another project, the two hadn’t seen each other in nearly 20 years when they reunited.
“Most of you don’t know that for the past couple of years I’ve been in the process of directing a Soul Food Reunion documentary (yes, really! — I am suuuuuuper excited for you all to see this!!) and this afforded me the opportunity to visit Irma and her wonderful family a couple of years ago in Texas where she now resides,” he explained, thanking her daughters for facilitating the visit.
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“Words can’t really express what this experience was like for me, but I’ll try. Her hugs and smile were as I remember them and being able to reminisce about that special time filming Soul Food almost 30 years ago is something that I will hold onto for dear life. We even sat at the table for a nice soul food-esque dinner and just enjoyed one another.”
Hammond concluded, “I’ll wrap this up by saying people truly do come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. It feels like Irma’s presence in my life fits all three of those categories. I am eternally grateful to know her and l hope you enjoyed your day celebrating you.”
Soul Food is streaming on Apple TV and Tubi.
