Carl Lumbly’s journey into acting began with an unexpected twist. 

In 1975, while working as a freelance journalist and reporting on auditions for an improvisational comedy theater, he was encouraged to try out himself. What started as a spur-of-the-moment decision led to an invitation to join the company just three weeks later.

That “happy accident” launched a Hollywood career spanning decades. Lumbly has since become a familiar face in sci-fi and superhero storytelling, known for voicing the Martian Manhunter in the animated series “Justice League,” as well as starring in the Fox series “M.A.N.T.I.S.”, television’s first Black superhero-led show. He also had a five-season run as CIA agent Marcus Dixon on ABC’s “Alias.” Most recently, he appears in the film “Captain America: Brave New World.”

Lumbly reflects on his extensive career, his role in shaping representation in superhero media and speaking with a Martian accent.

Richmond Free Press: You’ve appeared in a lot of sci-fi and superhero roles. What draws you to those genres?

Carl Lumbly: Well, I am from another planet. I was raised in Minnesota, and there were so few black people that at some point you would be the first Black person to go to Boise State or the first Black student council president. It became like a challenge to me. There’s something about me that loves the idea of the outlaw, the renegade, being off planet.

RFP: Out of all of the roles you’ve had, which ones defined who you are as an actor? 

CL: I would say probably all of them, but the two that I would highlight are both things that I said I wouldn't ever do. When I played a prisoner in a film called South Central, that affected me, not only as an actor, but as a person. I think it reminded me that what I was doing was not just representing the character, but in the way I went about doing my work, I was representing all those actors, especially actors of color who didn't have the opportunity to do what I was getting to do. I also said I wouldn't play a slave, which I did on a Disney project called “Nightjohn.” I played an individual who had escaped slavery and allowed himself to get captured so that he could go back and teach slaves how to read. 

RFP:You mentioned feeling like you had to represent other actors of color. Can you talk about that?

CL:  It’s a responsibility. You're supposed to contribute at the top of your intelligence with all of your energy toward collaborating with all of the artists who are there in front of and behind the camera to make project work. That to me is joyful and that to me is not pressure at all.  I was raised by two amazing immigrant people who came to this country, and they came with a certain belief about those principles and ideals that were trumpeted out to this hemisphere, if not the entire world, and what they found fell far short of those promises, especially in terms of racism. So, their answer was “It exists. Whatever is out there exists, what you control is who you are. You have to determine significance for yourself and then operate from that point of view.”

RFP: You were the first Black superhero on television in “M.A.N.T.I.S.” Did having a Black lead allow the show to cover topics that other superhero media shy away from?

CL: I think the pilot episode, which was a two-hour film, was the document, and was the true Mantis character … I think having a Black lead forced perspective in a way in the pilot that was not forced in the series, I think there was an effort to perhaps de-emphasize the degree to which the lead being Black was going to affect the show.

RFP: You’ve gotten more into voice acting over the years. Which do you enjoy more?

CL: The thing I enjoy most is the stage. After that, I would say film and television are kind of neck and neck and voice acting is unto itself for me. What got me into it was a tremendous artist named Andrea Romano, who was the director that invited me to audition for the “Justice League.” I had done a little voice stuff before, but this was the first time I really got to work with very accomplished voice actors and learn from them. There is a way to apply yourself to a character as a voice that I think is kind of magical.

RFP: What sci-fi movies or books got you into the genre?

CL: There was a book called “The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet,” where a character named Tyco Bassand took expeditions to Mars with kids and had full-blown adventures. And then of course, you know, more standard things like Heinlein and Asimov. I think science fiction was a way for me to expand my mind. Reading was a way for me to walk in other lands, to step into other people’s shoes, to be faced with decisions that would be world-shaking.

RFP: Do you have any memorable fan interactions from past events like GalaxyCon?

CL: When I went to the New York Comic Con, a number of the people who came up to take photos with me said something along the lines of “this character helped me so much when I was 7, 9, 13, etc.” I realized that these stories that “Justice League” was telling, in the same way that stories always do, can capture people where they are. And the thing that’s funny is that a number of people said “Your Martian is perfect” and I’d say you’ve never heard a Martian. I’m the only Martian you’ve heard because that’s the storyline. He’s the only one left. 

GalaxyCon will be held March 27 through 30 to the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Carl Lumbly will make appearances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets and more information about other celebrity appearances are available at GalaxyCon.com.