'Moonlight' star Alex R Hibbert to spend his acting money on cancer research

The young actor isn't in the industry for fame

Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders and Alex R. Hibbert at the 69th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards on February 4, 2017. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty)

After playing the young Chiron in the film Moonlight, Alex R Hibbert already has big plans for his acting salary.

The 12-year-old South Florida-native recently told the film blog HeyUGuys.com that he hopes to remain grounded despite the spotlight of his newfound fame. And he’s hoping to use his acting money to improve the lives of others.

“I don’t work for the fame,” he explained. “I just work for my mom. I grind for my mom, everything I do, everything I pursue is for my mom, and I’m doing this for her so she can retire. I don’t really care about the fame that much, I just wanna help my mom, and help other people that need help.”

He continued by admitting that acting is just a stepping stone to help him make the world a better place.

“What I wanted to do was either play football or be a scientist that cures cancer,” he continued. “In middle school I didn’t know what to do with my life. I was a bit of a bad child, I’d always get in trouble because I had a lot of movement. But the drama program settled me down, I can use my movement for good.”

“Football is out of the question now, but scientist-wise, I’m going to take most of my money. Wait, some of my money, and build a lab, and I’m going to take the best scientists to work on curing cancer and stuff like that.”

In a recent interview with CBS, his co-star Mahershala Ali called Hibbert the “best scene partner” that he’s ever had. “I say that sincerely. He’s so wise for his age. He was such a professional, but he’s also a kid.”

Read the full interview with Alex R Hibbert at HeyUGuys.com here. And check out The Independent’s own conversation with Hibbert about his relationship with Ali.

Moonlight hits UK theatres 17 February.