How Markees Christmas and Craig Robinson pushed each other to work harder

A few years ago, Markees Christmas was just "fooling around," making funny YouTube videos where he played secret agents, professors and other dressed-up characters.

Fast forward to today and Christmas has landed his first lead acting role in the upcoming film, Morris From America.

Although the 17-year-old admits to being shy in front of big crowds and still a little shocked at his unexpected success, Christmas stands by a very simple motto: "Step out of your comfort zone." 

Christmas stars alongside Craig Robinson in the film, where he plays a 13-year-old aspiring hip hop artist who moves to Germany with his single father (Robinson). While Christmas was a fan of Robinson's, it took some Googling before he realized just who he was acting with. 

"I Googled him and saw he was the guy in Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Hot Tub Time Machine and a lot of other things I wasn't supposed to be watching," he jokes. 

Craig Robinson surprises Christmas

q surprised Christmas today by inviting Robinson to call in to the show. The two discussed their working relationship, how they pushed each other to work harder on set but also how they joked around between takes to lighten up the mood during heavier scenes. 

"I'm just trying to get where Craig is," Christmas admits.

Robinson's response: "Well, you've got a 10-year head start on me." 

WEB EXTRA | Watch the trailer for Morris From America below.