“SO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T WANT TO BE FAMOUS?”
March 4, 2009
Last week, I was out with some friends in downtown LA, and someone from NYC approached us and struck up a conversation. Turns out he works in the industry, in marketing. He then asked me what I did for a living stating, “you have a great look, are very commercial, and should be the face of Neutrogena or something.”
The reason I decided to bring up his thoughts in this week’s blog is because during the course of our brief conversation, after he discovered I was an actor and had expressed the above opinion, he touched on something that struck me. He asked me what I wanted in reference to the entertainment industry. I expressed that I would love to have a successful career as an actor, where I can make a living doing what I enjoy and ultimately pick projects, preferably films, I am passionate about and that challenge me. I told him how much fulfillment I get from Independent film projects and having the ability to play characters that require true acting, not just my playing what I am most often type-cast as or what comes easy for me: the girl next door, football players girlfriend, cheerleader, etc. I explained that those involved in smaller, Independent projects are often more willing to take a chance and think outside the box.
However, it was not his question, but his reaction to my answer that caused me to think. He looked at me with a bit of a perplexed look, paused, and then said with a rather baffled tone, “So you mean you don’t want to be famous?” It was at this moment that I was caught a bit off guard, because I did not get into this industry “to be famous.”
Yes, we all want to be successful, and others knowing who I am, on some level, in the industry is welcome. Yet, success is valuable to me more so that I can get work, be able to pick projects that interest me, and ultimately have a solid platform to start my children’s charity foundation to be able to begin giving back, all while hopefully being a positive role model. It’s not to be famous.
Therefore, my answer, without hesitation, was, and still is, “No.”
Still a bit stunned by my response he seemed unsure of what to say next, almost as though there was no real point in my being an actor if I didn’t want “fame and fortune.” That said, and even though I am not in this for reasons he thought, he remarked that my getting just one starring role in a great independent film with a good director, that goes to some of the big film festivals, would be all I would need, and I would “take off.” He suggested I follow the path of Evan Rachel Wood, or someone like her, since I am “her type.”
He then quickly and somewhat dismissively said, “well good luck with that!” Although appreciative of his time and insight, I’ll admit I was left a bit unsure after our conversation and started thinking about whether people associate being an actor with solely wanting “fame and fortune.”
For me, I became an actor for the creative freedom I get while developing other characters and personally getting to take on qualities, which I myself do not possess. In a round about way, being an actor welcomes the shy qualities I hold at the core, and allows an inner confidence to emerge, which I find to be a unique fortune, in an of itself. Thus, I suppose I crave the spotlight shown on an actor, but simply for different reasons.
“To a lot of actors the more attention they can command the better. Their egos can become out of control, and they crave adoration and demand attention. Fortunately, I am amongst the small minority who enter the business with our main priority being getting involved because we love telling stories in whatever way we can, and we love the creative industry…I am actually shy, believe it or not.” – Virginia Hey
SIDE NOTE: The biopic style documentary “Kreating Karloff” I starred in, playing Zita Johann as Helen Grosvenor alongside actor Conor Timmis, was just reviewed in the March/April Issue (#87) of Rue Morgue Magazine and is available now on new stands and at your local Borders and Barnes and Noble, if you are interested!
Its a shame really. The latest polls show 81% of 18-25 yr olds want to be “rich” as their #1 goal in life. #2 on the list “famous” @ 51%.
On top of that, no one wants to do the work. They just want to get on reality TV and be given “free” stuff. Unfortunately, they do. Usually with their own TV show.
Gone are the days of Clark Gable and Audrey Hepburn.
I hope you find a way to resurrect some panache to the industry!!!!
Thank You Jeremy, so do I!
…and one knows how much I adore Audrey Hepburn and those good old, classier, days of Hollywood!
This reminded me of something David Fincher said in an interview with Empire: “A lot of people choose to act because they simply like the attention, and it’s your civic duty to make sure they’re punished for that.”
It’s great to hear that this sentiment is shared among people who truly enjoy the craft and do view it as a challenge like you do. Glad to hear you stuck to your convictions.
Its a shame I don’t have to body or looks for movies. I have to agree with you 100%. When I was an extra for a movie it wasn’t the fact that I was in a movie, or was getting paid, it was the fact that at least one person who watched the film would get enjoyment out of it or perhaps learn something that would change their life.
Kudos to you
I think most people associate actors with fame & fortune, typically attention-starved people. However the actors that make a difference aren’t the big names at the box office. It’s the less-paid actors that create engaging characters that stick with me for years. I always enjoy reading your blog and hope that you will manage to fulfill all your goals.
Hi Liesl!
I couldn’t agree more! When I tell people I’m an actor, they always ask, “Well then why aren’t you living in New York or LA?” I always tell them that (apart from the fact that my wonderful husband is a federal agent and it makes no sense for us to be anywhere but DC), acting is a craft that you can pursue anywhere. I am not in it for fame and fortune, but for the love of the creative process. People have such a narrow view of “success” in this profession (or vocation as i like to call it), but I have learned to focus on my own definition of the term, and salute others like yourself who do the same!
Carla
nice post on the inner world and inner voices of the acting experience.
I can not begin to thank each of you for not only the time you have taken to read my blog, but for the very supportive and touching comments you have each left!
Thank you so much!!! Please know that it means a lot and I truly appreciate every one of your comments and reading your thoughts!
…you have all brightened my day and made me smile!
Well said, most people aren’t aware that only an extremely small percentage of professional actors become “famous” and that becoming an actor should be about having the passion to take on roles purely for challenging artistic and creative purposes, not a need to be famous. My experience with the “i want to be famous” aspiring actor is that they want the fame and the fortune… they just don’t want to work for it; and contrary to popular belief, acting professionally is more about passionate craft perfection rather fulfilling an unrealistic “i’m gonna be a star” fantasy!
Thank you for so eloquently putting into words what I’ve been fighting to say for years.
Thank You Dani!
Your comment is one of the most touching comments I have received and means more to me than you know! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave it!
I hope we get the chance to work together one day, but till then, continued success with your already wonderful career, and I would love to see “No Bounderies,” which looks like a lovely story and beautiful film!
Liesl
I know your not gonna answer me back or anything but…
I’m on the same boat except I’m a singer/guitar player. All my friends who are “going into the music buisness” are looking for fame and fortune and for someone who would “find them” but….
why?…
im really self concious and when i go up there i’m a completely diffrent person and i constantly practice and practice so i could get my art correct…
i get really happy when my audience is moved and thats the best feeling of all…
sometimes i feel the need protect my art and when i display it i feel really naked and dumb thats why i always find myself to be true in the end.
people offer me money and chances to be famous but…thats not exactly what im looking for.. im looking to be myself.
its getting more and more difficult doing that when people are pressuring me to be someone im not.
i dont want to “work” i want to play music and be myself…
thats why i picked up my guitar in the first place…. i dont think anyone understands that.
Everytime i tell someone that they look so puzzled :[
-sigh-
sorry for the rant… i kinda wish someone could answer me :/