Soul Food Star Brandon Hammond Honors Irma P. Hall’s 90th Birthday with Touching Tribute and Reunion Reveal

Brandon Hammond, who memorably played the wise and tender-hearted Ahmad in the 1997 classic Soul Food, just delivered a major nostalgia moment while honoring Irma P. Hall — the legendary actress who embodied the heart of the film as “Big Mama.”

In celebration of Hall’s 90th birthday on June 3rd, Hammond took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute and never-before-seen photos from a special reunion with his former co-star.

“Happy 90th Birthday to the LEGENDARY Ms. Irma P. Hall [June 3, 1935]! 🎉🎈🎊” he began, calling her career “nothing short of ICONIC.”

Though the reunion actually took place a few years ago, Hammond revealed he had held onto those personal moments until now, using the milestone birthday to reflect on the woman who helped define a generation’s idea of family, love, and legacy.

“I met her as a 12-year-old boy whom she immediately treated like her grandson,” Hammond shared. “Because of Soul Food, Irma would affectionately be known by so many as ‘Big Mama’ and I, as her ‘favorite grandbaby’—and she and I would be forever linked.”

Hall, who has stepped back from acting in recent years (her last credited role was in Hap and Leonard in 2017), remains a deeply cherished presence in Hammond’s life. The two reunited in Texas as part of a Soul Food reunion documentary currently in the works — a project Hammond himself is directing.

“We even sat at the table for a nice soul food-esque dinner and just enjoyed one another,” he recalled. “Her hugs and smile were as I remember them, and being able to reminisce about that special time filming Soul Food almost 30 years ago is something I will hold onto for dear life.”

Hammond also expressed gratitude to Hall’s daughters for making the visit possible and closed his tribute with a line that perfectly captured their enduring connection:

“People truly do come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. It feels like Irma’s presence in my life fits all three of those categories, and I am eternally grateful to know her.”