Actors in Los Angeles are like the angels themselves – a dime a dozen. The first time I heard – well, read, really – this expression was in the Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman, written in 1949. If “a dime a dozen” meant very little then, nothing else needs to be said…
People want their picture taken with actors, want their autographs. Well, with movie stars – and make no mistake, these are two different animals (it’s possible for hybrids to occur, but the great majority of actors in L.A. will never make a living from their craft, let alone be asked to sign an autograph). Movie stars… Interestingly, not but a century ago actors were considered to be tramps. If you had an actor in the family, you sure as shit wouldn’t be telling anyone. If you were the actor in the family you probably wouldn’t be telling anyone either.
And your acting teachers will warn you – well, the ones who care – and you’ll read books on the craft, and right on the preface they will caution you – the good ones, anyway – just like your parents did when you came up with this crazy notion: “If there’s anything else you want to do, if you have any other passion, any other interest – atomic fusion, anything – go with that.” The amount of rejection the average actor endures is brutal. For most, stardom is as out of reach as it is out of mind – a simple career plus benefits and retirement would suffice……. Am I having an Acting Career Dos and Don’ts moment? Anyway, kids, stay away from this, y’hear?
I’ve been writing a book. I think I’m going to title it “The Killing Dream – a Novel”. Or “Act Or Die Will Be My Epitaph”. No, that’s better for a movie. Or maybe…