- "You know, my daddy was locked up when I was a little boy. Seeing him all them years behind that glass, it changed me. Seeing the man I idolized become so broken. So cold. Like a shell of himself. Every time I went to visit, it got worse. For us both. When it was my turn to do my time... I made the choice I made 'cause I didn't want that for you. You deserved better. Still do."
- —Lou to Will[src]
Lou is a character on Peacock's modern-day reinterpretation, Bel-Air. He is portrayed by Marlon Wayans.
Lou is Will's father, who was incarcerated for ten years.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Lou was born in West Philly, where he grew up without his father, who spent many years in prison, and who Lou often visited until he got killed. Lou was raised by his mother, who died when he was 15 years old. He then dropped out of school by 19 and was later arrested for car theft. At some point, he met Vy, who he had a child with. However, Lou would only get to know Will for the first few years of his life, as he would be sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault and robbery of an old man who supposedly owed him money.[1]
Reuniting with Will[]
Lou flies out to Bel-Air to meet Will after being visited by Geoffrey, who informed him that Will has been asking about him. He arrives at the Banks family mansion, where he is greeted by a not-so welcoming Phil, who questions why he didn't see Will three years ago when he got out of prison. No ex-con wants to look his boy in the eyes, Lou retorts. Not to mention, he couldn't find a job for months, but Phil doesn't show much sympathy. Lou has been out for three years and is still scraping by. Lou insists that he's not the same man from 13 years ago and that he just wants to see his son. Phil agrees to talk to Viv and get back to Lou.
Lou meets Will
Phil and Viv agree to allow Lou to meet with Will, though Viv does warn him that he better not break Will's heart. Lou never reached out from prison because he didn't want Will to see him locked up in a cage. That would've been bad for them both. He understands Will's frustration, but he thought of Will every moment he was locked up. Lou's dad was locked up when he was a little boy. Seeing him all those years behind that glass changed him. So, when it was Lou's turn to serve time, he made the choice he made the choice to distance himself from Will. Lou and Will then reminisce over a Sixer's game he took Will to when he was a boy, this leads to Lou mentioning Vy, accusing her of being the reason he was hustling and calling her ungrateful, which angers Will and nearly leads to a fight until Phil intervenes. Will tells Lou that he never wants to see him again, and so, Lou leaves.[1]
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
Gallery[]
