About Radio (HBO)

"Radio" is a 2003 American biographical sports drama film directed by Mike Tollin, and inspired by the 1996 Sports Illustrated article "Someone to Lean On" by Gary Smith. The article and the movie tell the story of T. L. Hanna High School football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) and his friendship with James Robert "Radio" Kennedy (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a mentally challenged man who becomes the team mascot.

Making / Production

The film was shot on location in Walterboro, South Carolina, and the close-knit community became a background character in the film. The football scene was shot at the old Walterboro High School stadium. The film was produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and Revolution Studios, and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Actors

• Cuba Gooding Jr. played the role of Radio, a mentally disabled man who is taken under the wing of the high school football coach. He played the character with unwavering positivity and a true fan's passion for the game of football.
• Ed Harris portrayed Coach Harold Jones who forms a unique friendship with Radio, showing him kindness and giving him a sense of belonging. His performance was both grounded and emotional.
• Alfre Woodard played Principal Daniels, a strong and dedicated school principal who initially questions Coach Jones' motives but later becomes Radio's ally.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The real Radio still attends T. L. Hanna High School and helps out with the athletic department to this day.
• The movie ends with scenes of the real life Radio and Coach Jones together.
• The film is based on events of the 1976 school year in Anderson, a small town in South Carolina.

Awards

Though the film did not win any major awards, Cuba Gooding Jr. was nominated for a BET Award for Best Actor, and Ed Harris was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

Quotes

• "We're not the ones been teachin' Radio, Radio's the one been teachin' us." - Coach Jones
• "You take him out of this school, you might as well just take his life from him." - Coach Jones

Music, Soundtrack

• "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" - Stevie Wonder
• "I Can't Stop Part 1" - James Brown
• "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" - Cast performance