Was it the truth about actors in Hollywood? (2010, television, fan)

[BarcelonaFan]

This is one revealing thread.

Most people assume if you have a website then you've made it.

Again, there are those like I mentioned in an earlier post; Dax Shepard, that seem like they had a streak of good luck despite the lack of talent and looks.

Is that normal in the field?

[subPrimeTime]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

This is one revealing thread.

Most people assume if you have a website then you've made it.

Yeah this is a good thread, but websites are so common these days that I doubt most people put much stock into that.

I wonder about this topic a lot actually. Whenever I see commercials with some recurring actor whose name nobody knows, I think to myself, where does this guy live? How does he live, own, rent?

[BarcelonaFan]

One of the guys I met landed a car commercial but the guy can barely afford a car and hitches rides off friends. Great guy but he's in his thirties still doing this.

Another girl has wales the red carpet at a premiere, starred in several short films, and does a regular night at a comedy club. Yet she even admits to having trouble paying the bills.

This industry is tough!

[john3232]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

...This industry is tough!

Yep, it is tough. I knew an older fellow who during the late 60's and 70's worked steady in Hollywood. He had parts in Planet of the Apes, Shampoo, War and Western flims, the TV show Wonder woman and a bunch of TV commercials. He worked steady for 10 years or so before things **dried up. However, he had tons of gossip and was friends with Hispanic actor in the TV show Chips before the actor hit the big-time.

According to my friend the guy from Chips went crazy after the money rolled in and ended up pissing off the wrong people with continous demands (fur coats, new cars cash ect.)


**drugs, too much booze and a bad marriage helped do him in.

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

But the point us if they have all that I listed but they're still struggling, are they "working actors"?

Struggling artist.

[or starving - but that's cliche]

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by subPrimeTime

Yeah this is a good thread, but websites are so common these days that I doubt most people put much stock into that.

I wonder about this topic a lot actually. Whenever I see commercials with some recurring actor whose name nobody knows, I think to myself, where does this guy live? How does he live, own, rent?

When I worked for the Gas Company reading meters I once ran into Dennis Haysbert just before (at the time) he had the part of the President on the TV series 24. I didn't recognize him at first but then I recalled he worked on commercials. He had a decent place but not bigger than a typical home.

[so I figure that most actors in commercials are probably living lives like the rest of us]

[BarcelonaFan]

When do some call it quits?

[Chowhound]

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

When do some call it quits?

Good quesion.

I have often wondered that myself, at what point do you say f it... I need to get a steady job that pays the bills.....

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

Good quesion.

I have often wondered that myself, at what point do you say f it... I need to get a steady job that pays the bills.....

...and allows one to save for retirement.

[and will look good on a résumé]

[john3232]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

Good quesion.

I have often wondered that myself, at what point do you say f it... I need to get a steady job that pays the bills.....

My guess is when you get married and kids come along a decision has to be made.

Although my brother has worked for years as a TV writer his dream was to be a director. He landed a number of minor directing gigs when he was younger but by the time he reached his mid-30's he had a wife and two kids. So he focused on writing because it was steady and paid the bills.