Marques Houston: From Sitcom Star to Tubi Mogul

Marques Houston has had quite the career trajectory! From making us laugh as Roger Evans on ‘Sister, Sister’ to now dominating the streaming world with his own production company, Footage Films, Houston is a true testament to evolving in the entertainment industry. He recently sat down with VIBE for their ‘Then And Now’ series to reflect on his journey, from his early days as a child star to his current success on platforms like Tubi.

From ‘A Different World’ to ‘Sister, Sister’

Houston’s on-screen journey began in 1993 as Eli Black on ‘A Different World.’ But it was the following year, at just 12 years old, that he became a household name as Roger Evans on the beloved sitcom ‘Sister, Sister.’ Alongside Tia and Tamera Mowry, Jackée Harry, and Tim Reid, Houston became a cultural fixture. “Go home, Roger!” – a catchphrase he admits still follows him today, and one he embraces wholeheartedly. “It was such a big part of culture and a big part of history,” he shared, expressing his love for the show and his castmates.

Houston’s success on ‘Sister, Sister’ coincided with his music career as part of the group Immature. While the initial excitement of being a scene-stealer, much like Steve Urkel, was thrilling, Houston felt a growing need to avoid typecasting. “I felt like I could only do that and I didn’t want that,” he explained. This led to his decision to leave the show after its fifth season, a move he considers the smartest career choice he could have made, allowing him to explore new avenues.

The Impact of ‘You Got Served’

Following his sitcom success, Houston starred in films like ‘House Party 4: Down To The Last Minute’ and ‘Fat Albert.’ Ironically, his role in the iconic dance film ‘You Got Served’ wasn’t initially planned for him. The film, originally titled ‘Dance,’ was set to star Ginuwine and Aaliyah. However, after changes at Sony Pictures and a shift in casting, Houston ended up taking on the role of Elgin, a decision that has cemented his place in dance film history. “To be a part of something that’s so big like that that’s changed history, it’s always a blessing,” he gushed about the film’s enduring legacy.

Finding Comedy Again with ‘Cuts’

After ‘You Got Served,’ Houston found himself back on the small screen, starring in his own sitcom, ‘Cuts,’ a spinoff of ‘One On One.’ Initially, he was focused on pursuing movie roles, inspired by stars like Will Smith and Jamie Foxx who successfully balanced music, TV, and film. However, a meeting with ‘Cuts’ executives, influenced by his relationship with co-star Flex Alexander, led him to take the lead role. “‘Cuts’ was dope [and] hilarious,” Houston recalled. “It gave me an opportunity to be a comedian and be funny as an adult.”

Building an Empire with Footage Films

As Houston felt more seasoned in his career, he and director Chris Stokes decided to take matters into their own hands, founding Footage Films. “We were just like, ‘Let’s just do it ourselves,’” Houston explained. Leveraging their combined experience in writing, acting, and directing, they aimed to create their own opportunities. Their first production, ‘Will To Love,’ was a success, especially with BET launching its film division around the same time.

Footage Films quickly found a niche in thrillers, with projects like ‘Only For One Night’ becoming top-rated movies and their first TV series, ‘Sacrifice,’ debuting on BET+. This success paved the way for them to “break Tubi,” as Houston puts it. While their debut film ‘Howard High’ didn’t initially take off, the ‘Stepmother’ franchise became their launchpad on the streaming platform, significantly boosting Tubi’s profile.

Houston expressed deep gratitude for his success, particularly in creating content he’s passionate about. Recent Footage Film successes include ‘Adopted 2’ and ‘Run,’ both Tubi Originals, with Houston starring in the latter. His journey is a powerful example of how perseverance and a proactive approach can lead to significant achievements in the ever-evolving media landscape.