The actor has found that proving himself in action and drama have done little to show and decision-makers — that he is more than just the funny guy. “The reason I’ve been able to continue working is because [of] my range,” he said. Duncan took on the role of troubled gang member Spyro in 1996’s “Original Gangstas,” proving to audiences he was more than the pushover/by-the-book Braxton.

“Spyro was a — I can’t tell you how important it was. Because again it established, ‘Wait a minute this guy is an actor who can do comedy and do drama and action.’ I’m not Braxton; I played Braxton,” he explained.

Duncan has had roles in scores of productions from “Soul Food” the television series to “The District” and “Black Lightning,” his frustrations of being pigeonholed in people’s minds as Braxton has grown. “I’m disappointed that sometimes there isn’t more flexibility in perception because if you see me in a different role, you see me doing the work if it’s a comedy, a drama, whatever it is. All I ask is for some openness to receive it,” he added. “Some people are able to do that and some people still have this response of ‘Oh come on that’s Braxton. That’s Braxton.’ ”

Duncan said it’s his own community of Black creatives that have been less receptive to his full range of acting.

“If I walk into a room full of let’s say brothers and sisters who are producing this project and I literally hear ‘What’s up Braxton! What’s up man?’ It’s like a wrench in my gut because it’s immediately saying to me ‘Even though you’re here and we’re seeing you for this dramatic role for this romantic lead, for this hard-hitting, heavy character; even though we’re seeing you for that we just made it clear to you how we see you.’