Acting : Who inspired you to get into acting? by Amanda Toney

I had my 'heroes' growing up watching that planted some seeds, like Peter O'Toole. Richard Harris, etc.

But didn't happen until I went to my first Robert McKee Story Seminar to start learning to write - and he told me I should study acting if I wanted to write better. Did not think, however, that it would mean two and a half years of Meisner at the Esper Studio - I was thinking more like 'take a course' 'understand what it's about'... and def didn't think I'd be teaching it. BTW, for me, it WAS the best thing that could have happened for my writing. So... thx McKee! lol

I have been acting all my life - just not on stage. I grew up in a volatile household. You have to pay attention to what was going on, what others were thinking and saying. And you had to act appropriately. That paying attention gave me resources for acting on stage. I could mimic others. And at 42, I went on stage. And I loved it, and I was good at it (so I was told).

My father passed away when I was very young. My mother bought me two volumes of Shakespeare's plays (Comedies and Tragedies) to occupy my time when I was seven years old. She had to work longer than I was in school, so, in order to give me something to do in the interim, she would give me $ .35 to go to the 5th Avenue or Academy Theater and watch a movie for $.25 and get a popcorn and soda for the other $.10. I fell in love with Shakespeare AND the movies!

It's a weird story for me. When I waa a freshman in HS, my HS was doing "South Pacific" my oldest sister came home from rehearsal and said Billy they need men for this show, you're going out for it. I didn't feel like I had a choice. So, I went out and got into the show. The rest, as they say, was history. I was in drama club, in every show. I went to college and was in every show, took theatre as part of a dual major. I ended up a professional actor for over 15 years, and this year I will return to the stage for the 1st time in nearly 20 years.

A guy in grew up with same estate same school a little bit older than me, Matthew marsden inspired me. And proud to say he has given me tips and help when needed when it comes to auditions or acting.

This is something I always wanted to do since I was younger. However, being shy and quiet, I gave it a try in my 20s. It wasn't the right time for me and then right before I turned 50 I accidentally stumbled into it. Now at that point in time in my life, I had more confidence and life experiences that I could bring to the industry and have never looked back. Have been added for about 10 years now and love it.

its only natural to keep doing the things you're good at XD

James Gandolfini advised me I should be an actor. He took me on as an actor coach and referred me to Val Kilmer to work with. James invited me on set of the Sopranos and had lunch with me in his trailer. He broke a sandwich in half and shared his sub with me. He said he was making $35 million a movie and thought I reminded him of himself when he began acting. Told me to keep with it and I could be at the same level one day. Then asked me if I liked his sandwich and said get the f... out. He had to get ready for next take. "Kinda of a last supper scene" When i got my third waiver into the Screen Actors Guild, James and Paulie Walnuts drove by me in a cadillac and said work you mother....... work, work, work. That was the last time I saw James. He called from time to time. Val Kilmer wanted me to travel with him to China to get a different prospective, he offered to buy me a new mercedes car as part of the project.

My family lived just outside of Manhattan and my parents loved theater. When I was seven, they took me to my first Broadway show - "Oliver!" In the audience was Don Knotts, who I had just seen that afternoon in the movie "The Incredible Mr. Limpett." I was hooked. I acted in high-school and college and when I graduated with a double major - Biology and Theater - I got a little one-bedroom, rent stabilized apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and started acting. I danced in the film "Hair," I joined the Broadway cast of "Grease," playing - who else - Eugene, the nerd. I moved to L.A. and got cast in :Total Recall, having a scene with Arnold Schwarzenegger. But I always was writing on the side. Now, two of my scripts have been named Finalists in Francis Ford Coppola's Screenplay Competition. I'm hoping that will help attract a manager or an agent.

I had multiple inspirations, but one of the biggest was Jane Alexander. I was an extra in the TV movie, "Calamity Jane," for which she should have won an Emmy. In the Dead Man's Hand scene, she was so convincing, I almost thought it was real. That showed me the power great acting can have.

I was so shy as a kid and acting was never on my passion list. Sport was my favourite in life back then.

My Dad was a massive John Wayne fan and I remember watching pretty much every film with him over the years he was still with us. Bonanza too. So, funny that Westerns are not really my favourite watch now, although there aren’t that many made these days.

I’ve always loved watching films. The creation of something from words in a script is extraordinary. I realise now that the collaboration of cast, crew and producers is a magical thing.

I decided to try acting at the age of 41 and something sparked inside me. Michael Caine and Anthony Hopkins were always and still are two of my favourite actors. They make something so emotionally complex, look effortless.

I love acting and can’t imagine my life without it now…

I come from a family of 'hams," I think. My dad first got me to play the Virgin Mary on Christmas at his church, and then when I was 11 they were passing out some short scripts for kids to perform. I think we all had to, but I really enjoyed making kids laugh. I was hooked! I didn't get another opportunity, though until high school, and then went on to major in Drama in college but our professor was a sex pervert - Paul Mann, who claimed he'd trained Sidney Potier. I dropped out but have done a LOT of community theater, and am now agented for commercials.

I've always enjoyed acting—I suppose I was one of those "drama kids" who loved being on stage from the day I played a shepherd in my Sunday School's Nativity Pageant as a five-year old. I started writing because I wanted to write parts for myself and for my friends, starting when I was about twelve or thirteen.

I took Typing class in school because I was terrified of Shop (all those sharp objects, all those bullies!) and my school district flipped out that I preferred Home Ec (even though I preferred cooking and sewing to dealing with various sharp and blunt objects that weren't cooking knives). So I was able to touch-type by the time I was in High School, and I started handing in all my reports typewritten (Mom put together one of the church's newsletters, so we had a manual typewriter).

Dad had an old Regular-8 movie projector and a splicing kit that I found, and I started splicing together those 8mm movies you could buy and writing my own narration for them. My parents bought me a Regular 8mm camera for Christmas when I was 13 or 14, and I LOVED that camera! I was going to be a hyphenate like Orson Welles (I didn't even know who he was then, but I wanted to be him!)—actor, writer, and director.

My dad was Scorsese and DeNiro's agent for many years. I was on the set of King of Comedy when Marty asked my dad to have a role in the film. I was on set when my dad shot his seen. Watching that scene shoot I wanted to be in front of camera. Lot's of my friends became very known actors as teenagers around that time. I got an agent and in my first year I got cast as C Thomas Howell's younger brother and never lost my desire to act.

Acting was one of my childhood dreams. I was always fascinated by the way great actors could completely transform and make you feel something real and human on screen. That spark stayed with me for years and eventually led me to study acting at the Stella Adler Studio, where I deepened my understanding of character, truth, and storytelling. Today that same passion continues to guide my work not only in acting but also in writing and creating stories for film and television.

Project at an interdisciplinary school - big team needed to do a technical/business/policy presentation. The school wanted us to work in some creative element beyond the core material. After much debate team came up with a wacky/campy linking narrative, with some of us playing small roles. Honestly it was silly, a bit risky, and fun for the team. General feedback from faculty - our concept/script was weak, but my delivery memorable - this venerated Russian physicist told me "story non-so-much" (shaking head) "but, you!..." (smile and a thumbs up). Another staff member started calling me "Shakespeare". So fun + appreciation - planted the seed, when I had not been much for performance before. Slowly grew. Now my main thing.

My parents moved constantly during my youth. Coast to Coast and back again over and over. It got to the point where one Christmas they asked what I wanted for Christmas. I said, "Well, since I don't have any friends because we move so much...how about getting me a full length mirror and a tape recorder." They were taken aback, but I think they 'got it' after a while; I would do improv monologues in front of the mirror. And, I would create stories to record. You'll see/hear what evolved over the years if you visit my website: davecoreyonline.com. I've included a couple of radio plays I wrote and produced when I worked in radio! I owe my career to my dear parents in a most unusual way!

My inspiration for pursuing acting is similar to Charmane Wedderburn.

I watched tonnes of movies on repeat as a kid and the transformation into characters is what I fell in love with.

Star Wars, Fly Away Home, Free Willy, The Three Stooges, National Lampoon's Vacation, all played major part in this for me.

I read, The Art of Acting by Stella Adler, 6+ years ago and there were a number of tips in that for me. I also love Stanford Meisner's techniques.

De Niro and Pacino were huge influences in my late teens due to obsession with mafia films. Morgan Freeman is another.

Presently, Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Michael Fassbender and Matthew McConaughey are major favourites for me. Kevin Spacey also was before his crap hit the fan.

I graduated from High School in England at age 16, two years early but had to wait 2 more years to qualify for Cambridge. I had done a bit of acting at school and loved it so I went to work at the local theatre and absolutely adored it. However, fortunately, I failed my entrance exams to Cambridge and told my Father I wanted to go to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. He, as Fathers in the 50s could, said "No. Get a trade." So, being a "good boy," I went in to his industry - hotels starting with Hotel University in Switzerland. Upon graduating, I worked 4 years in London and then moved to the United States working for Westin Hotels for many years. I have had the good fortune to live in 8 countries, work in 7 and learn 3 foreign languages - French, German and Norwegian. I remained in the Hospitality Industry for 47 years ending up as CEO of a small hotel company. After leaving the industry in 2000, I did some "work" as a consultant, and for FEMA as an independent contractor. I hated it all and was miserable. In 2003, one day, my wife sat me down and said: "Jim, you're about the most miserable son-of-a-bitch I have ever met. Why don't you go do what you have always wanted to do?" So I went back to school privately studying acting, singing and dancing (tap). I did a load of amateur theatre. In 2006, I went to my first professional audition, got the gig and have been working ever since. In that I was an "older" actor, I got great leads - e.g. Scrooge 7 times, Fagin 3 times - and did exclusively musicals.. In 2015, I began to recognize that 8 musical shows a week was becoming somewhat arduous and so reverted to straight plays for a year, moving gradually in to TV and movies. Which is what I do now! As you have probably guessed - roles of a certain age!!!!! My friends of noble touch; when I am forth, Bid me farewell, and smile (Coriolanus) Cheers!

Jim France, I felt your comment when you said at age 16 your dad said, "Get a trade."

I'm in my mid-30s. When I was 16 - 22, my parents; dad particularly, were supportive of it only in the form of community theatre. They firmly believed it to be "pipe dream" and unobtainable. This mindset frustrated me deeply but I've kept with it and done professional work since.

I grew up in love with Robert Deniro Films as well as Al Pacino. After graduating high school, I enrolled in the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Then after some time I went to The Neighborhood Playhouse School for Theatre. I fell in love with being on stage. Unfortunately, I left NY earlier than I wanted to and moved to Portland, Oregon. There I did community theatre, eventually moved to Los Angeles to chase my film career before getting homesick and returned to Portland. I still think about returning to NYC to pursue my Dream where I left off.

My first exposure to feature film making was as background on the Oscar winning film "Norma Rae". The principles in that production, Sally Field and Ron Liebman, generously signed autographs for me between takes. From those days on, I knew that being involved in film making would be my passion. Life took me in different directions career wise, none of which was objectionable. I took up screenwriting to stay as connected as possible. Fast forward a few decades to Mobile AL in 2012 and multiple opportunities came my way as featured background. I also connected with some guys beginning to make short films as a screenwriter for them. It was exciting to see my writing produced. After a bit, those colleagues urged me to get in front of the camera in some of our work. That opened the door, I found I enjoyed it as much if not more than writing. I took acting classes and expanded my horizons to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Atlanta. In 2017, I earned SAG eligibility by voice over on a SAG interactive video game. I love being on set because you learn so much. By 2020, COVID came along and, before vaccines, I stepped away from acting to avoid exposing family members if contracted it on set. But that's when I turned back to screenwriting and it has kept me busy since.

Most of the time people watch a movie and think, "ooh! I want to be like that character" but for me when I watched Young Guns (I was 14), I knew I wanted to be an actor. But I had no idea how or where to get started, so I didn't. Fast forward 30 is years, I saw a co-worker at police department, Andy McDermott, having some success with acting, and it revived that desire to act. So I found an acting studio in Phoenix and started my journey!

While my wife was in college for theater she asked if i would help her out with a Live performance about a girl dating a football player who didnt go pro. He had a really big ego and wasnt afraid to let it shine. A real Al Bundy. What made it funny is that he was in an interracial relationship and still acted like he was the man. Needless to say, we got a standing ovation and that feeling never left me. Later I decided to act in my own coffee ads. I did a V.O. as an old Englishman going on and on about his love for coffee and how he's such a Fascinating Connoisseur who travels the world. You can listen to it if you want. Anyway I have a very distinctive voice and I'd love to get paid for it.

[V.O. ad:]

https://youtu.be/G18jN6oPKjY

I can give a large list, but the core inspiration has always come from this complex imagination that I own as a storyteller.

My high school drama teacher Mr. Ware. He told me I was the best actor he had ever taught & said that I could play a wide range of roles - comedy, drama, action, etc. He definitely gave me the confidence I needed to move forward.

I have had a hard life dealing with depresión AND stuff so my dream Is to be an actor in a movie to clear my mind but lately i have been losing hope AND i'm a great actor but other people dont think that

I can't say it was any certain person. But when I was a kid I used to watch movies with my family. As I got older I would think, "Someone has to make those movies. Be in them and take on different roles to bring them to life. I wonder how someone gets into something like that?" But it was kind of a secret dream I didn't pursue until later. After High School I went to school to be a police officer. I was also engaged at the time. Things were going well, at least I thought it was. The relationship wasn't working as well as we thought. So I was a little lost and my focus on school dwindled. Then my parents asked, "What do you want to do?" To which I responded, "I want to make movies and be in them." They asked, "How do you plan to get there?" I didn't really have an answer. But about a week later I was sitting in church and there was a guest speaker from an organization called YWAM aka University of the Nations. He was there to talk about a film and acting school they offer. It was there I attended and learned more about the process of filmmaking and acting. It has been an amazing and rewarding journey ever since.

Not sure if there's any one specific person who inspired me to get into acting. I always loved playing "make-believe" on the playground with friends (a lot of role-playing as Star Trek, superheroes, and Star Wars characters, as well as one particular running storyline with characters based on the Tales of the Gold Monkey TV show (I think I may have just shown my age!).

No one in particular. My mom was a threatre kid, so I got that from her. I had an affinity for reading aloud shortly after learning how to read. As I grew up, I admired actors like Lawrence Olivier & James Earl Jones. Still, I was more into music, getting a BA in the subject & working for awhile at a music store, while gigging as a pit musician (bass.) Eventually, I gravitated towards acting & getting some schooling at A.C.T. & private voice-acting lessons. The book on acting that worked best for me is "True and False" by David Mamet.

No one inspired me to act. I started because I wanted people to feel something. I felt everything intensely . I have people who inspire me now but I still want to make people feel something. They are so shut down. I don't mean some shock value things, I mean deeply feel .

I have a cool story...back in the 90's I was just starting out. I was talking to my friend in a diner on Melrose ave in LA. I was telling him how I loved Meg Ryan. And how great I thought she was. Well, I looked out the window of the diner and low and behold SHE and Dennis Quaid were right outside my window looking at the menu to the place!!!!!! I was shocked. Now that was a sign. And when Meg Ryan was having her son, Jack's 5th birthday, she called up the studio where I was doing the voice of Angelica Pickles on Rugrats for Nickelodeon, and she called to see if she could get any free stuff for his birthday party. Full circle moment.

I was 8 years old, doing Grade 3 in 1974, and my Teacher organised us to prepare for a year-end drama piece. We chose to do the "Prodigal Son," and it should be borne in mind that I had never acted before, but was eager and curious to do it as my first love was choral music. On the day of the performance, after intense rehearsals, I received a standing ovation for portraying the lead (the prodigal son). That is what inspired me at that tender age, but when I reached Higher Primary school, it was back to choral music, and when I arrived at High School, I was spotted by a poetry group that was also doing stage plays (theatre). In all the theatre productions they produced, I played the Leads. It is after this realisation that I thought that I could pursue this talent in a tertiary institution, but I had no money as my parents had divorced when I was doing my final year at High School. After high school, I auditioned with the legendary Gibson Kente Productions, who is regarded as the "Father of South African protest theatre". I was accepted and later got a scholarship to study drama and speech with the Soyikwa Institute of African Theatre

I grew up in a cultural desert in post World War II Hull, East Yorkshire. Life was in shades of grey, and the city was still straddled with bomb craters from the Nazi assaults. Then one day, I was taken for an extremely rare visit to the theatre - not to see a play, but a production of Swan Lake. I didn’t fully understand what I was watching, I just knew I wanted to be part of that magic in some form or other. I didn’t train as a dancer, but instead went to The Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London to start my journey. But that rare, precious trip to the theatre was the experience that started it all.

My inspiration happened at the age of ten. My

uncle, Don DeNatale had just returned from

Hollywood filming his first Merchant/Ivory, The Wild Party with Raquel Welch, James Coco and Perry King. He was my childhood hero along with my father and brother and my cousin. My uncle spoke of the experience and something clicked in me. Or was at that age I started to understand things and from that point on my love for acting, whether it was film, stage or television grew and grew. I am grateful for that beginning moment.

That fall, I was in my first school play. It was about the first Thanksgiving and I played the Native American Indian. I had one line. I still remember it today. It was so pure, innocent and a lot of fun to play.

Paul Robeson and James Earl Jones; Carl Anderson and the cast of JCSS which I saw several times as a child. Then Colm Wilkerson and the cast of Les Misérables in Kansas City (1987) and subsequent cities during my travels.