By Melissa Billie Clark
Sometimes, we encounter television productions filming in various locations throughout Brooklyn, and it’s quite riveting. We often wonder which famous movie stars are in our area.
One notable native Brooklynite who frequently films scenes from Bay Ridge to New Lots is William DeMeo. He is the director, writer, and producer of “Gravesend,” a show available on Amazon Prime. His passion for community is evident in the diverse Brooklyn locations he selects for the show. Gravesend is coming up on their 3rd season. DeMeo has worked with household names such as Maino (Artist), Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), and Armand Assante (Gotti) to name a few. And now! They added Shaquille O’Neal to that roster. O’Neal plays “Mustafa,” a regular character in season three. O’Neal shared with Spring Creek Sun, “I love being here in Brooklyn with the DeMeo family; it’s nice to see people on the streets supporting Gravesend, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
O’Neal also took the time to inspire the Young Adult Program and Teen Central participants, offering a motivational video, which can be found here. Senior Director of Youth Development and Education Johnny Rosario stated, “It was a great opportunity for the TC and YAP members to see an NBA legend encourage them to continue chasing their dreams.”
DeMeo expressed his excitement about O’Neal joining the Gravesend family. He stated, “The people of the community are very grateful to see these celebrities, especially Shaq. He is one of the most recognizable faces in the country. He is humble, a great guy, and filled with talent.”
This wouldn’t be the first time DeMeo has brought famous faces to Brooklyn. In 2018, after filming “Gotti,” he invited John Travolta back to 86th Street in Bensonhurst. The event was historic for the community, attracting thousands of people to the area. John Travolta and his late wife, Kelly Preston, enjoyed a double-stacked pizza at the famous Lenny’s Pizzeria, reminiscent of his iconic scene in “Saturday Night Fever.”
So, why does DeMeo remain connected to his Brooklyn roots? According to him, the community continuously inspires him. Whether grabbing a coffee at his local deli or enjoying a meal at a nearby restaurant, DeMeo is always greeted with compliments from fans of the show. They often say, “I love that you bring back a time when people hung out on stoops in the neighborhood.” This sense of nostalgia is a vital part of his story.
DeMeo is always brainstorming new ideas that incorporate the community, and in return, the community shows its support by backing the Gravesend team. Reflecting on this, he says, “They give it to me daily. We get pizza, filming locations, hugs, and the best moments are when they stop their cars to give me a thumbs up.”
Follow the @gravesendseries on Instagram to follow their journey.
Photos By Arthur De Gaeta
