"That boy good!"
If you've seen Coming to America even once, those three words are burned into your brain. They aren't delivered by Eddie Murphy or Arsenio Hall, despite the fact that those two played basically everyone in the movie. No, that legendary line belongs to Clint Smith from Coming to America, the man who played Sweets the barber.
He's the quietest member of the My-T-Sharp crew, but honestly, he’s the glue. Without Sweets, that barbershop is just three loud guys arguing about Joe Louis and Cassius Clay. Clint Smith brings a specific, authentic energy to the screen that you just can't fake. It's the vibe of a real neighborhood staple.
The Mystery of Clint Smith from Coming to America
People often get confused because they think every face in that barbershop is just Eddie or Arsenio in heavy prosthetics. You’ve got Eddie as Clarence (the owner) and Saul (the old Jewish man). You’ve got Arsenio as Morris. But then there’s Sweets.
Sweets is actually played by Clint Smith, a real-life friend of Eddie Murphy.
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He isn't a "Hollywood" actor in the traditional sense, which is probably why his performance feels so lived-in. He wasn't trying to win an Oscar; he was just hanging out with his buddies. Clint and Eddie go way back, long before the multi-million dollar contracts and the fame. They were friends in Roosevelt, Long Island. That history is why the chemistry in those scenes feels so lightning-fast.
More Than Just a Barber
Most folks don’t realize that Clint Smith wasn't just a bit player. He was actually the Vice President of Eddie Murphy Productions for years. Basically, he was one of the architects of the Murphy empire during the 80s and 90s.
You can spot him in other classics too:
- He was the "Quart of Blood" inmate in Trading Places.
- He had a role in 48 Hrs..
- He even appeared in The Firm.
But Sweets is the one that stuck. Maybe it’s the way he nods when Randy Watson (of Sexual Chocolate fame) hits that high note. Maybe it’s the way he looks like he’s actually been cutting hair in Queens for forty years. When he shouts "That boy good!" during the Black Awareness Rally, it became a cultural touchstone. People still say it today when they see someone with a bit of talent. It's a verbal meme that predates the internet by decades.
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Why Sweets Still Matters in 2026
It’s easy to dismiss a character with only a few lines, but Clint Smith from Coming to America represents a specific era of Black cinema. He’s part of the "entourage" casting that worked because it was rooted in genuine relationship.
The barbershop scenes are the highest-rated parts of the movie for a reason. They feel like home. Clint’s presence as Sweets provides a baseline of reality that makes Eddie’s over-the-top characters work. If everyone was a caricature, the scene would collapse. Sweets is the straight man who lets the chaos happen around him.
The Return in Coming 2 America
When the sequel finally dropped on Amazon Prime, fans were holding their breath. Would the barbershop guys be back?
They were.
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Seeing Clint Smith back in the makeup as an even older Sweets was a massive nostalgia hit. It’s rare for a bit character to maintain that kind of staying power. He’s essentially ageless in the role. In Coming 2 America, he’s still there, still in the shop, still part of the furniture of Akeem’s New York life. It’s a testament to the loyalty Eddie Murphy has for his circle.
How to Spot the "Real" Clint Smith
If you want to see the man behind the makeup, you have to look closely at the credits of Eddie's biggest hits. Clint was behind the scenes, helping run the business side while Eddie was in front of the camera.
There is often some confusion online with another famous Clint Smith—the award-winning poet and author of How the Word Is Passed. They are definitely not the same person. One is a literary giant and staff writer for The Atlantic; the other is the guy who gave us the best reaction shot in comedy history.
Honestly, the "actor" Clint Smith is a bit of a ghost. He doesn't do the big press circuits. He isn't chasing clout on TikTok. He’s a guy who was part of a legendary moment in time and seems perfectly happy with that being his legacy.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs
If you're looking to appreciate the work of Clint Smith more deeply, here is how to do it:
- Re-watch the Barbershop Scenes: Don't just look at Eddie. Watch Clint's reactions. His physical comedy—the nods, the squinting, the way he holds the clippers—is top-tier.
- Check the Credits: Next time you watch a 1980s Eddie Murphy production, look for Clint's name in the "Executive" section. It’ll give you a new appreciation for his role in Black Hollywood history.
- The "Quart of Blood" Test: Go back and watch Trading Places. Finding Clint in the jail cell scene is like the ultimate "Where's Waldo" for comedy nerds.
Clint Smith proved that you don't need 100 pages of dialogue to become an icon. You just need one perfect line and the right friends.