The Working Actor

Do you remember these great commercials?

AGE: 30

Matt is originally from Waverly, OH, but has lived in LA for 8 years. He has worked for Kathy Smith on and off for 6 ½ years. “We’ve gone on hiatus a few times. It’s like a dysfunctional relationship, we keep coming back to each other.”

FAVORITE CELEBRITY SIGHTING AT WORK: “This is so lame. It was when I first moved to LA. I have a real Jennifer Aniston thing that I have not been able to shake. My first job in town was as a receptionist at PR firm in West Hollywood. Someone came back from lunch and as they walked by my desk said, ‘Jennifer Aniston is eating at Basix.’ Without saying anything I jumped up and ran out the door and around the corner. I just walked by, I wasn’t going to speak to her or anything. But I saw her. Everyone was shocked that I just ran out without saying anything. I got fired from that job much later for going to auditions. But they let the Jennifer Aniston thing slide. I’ve seen Jennifer a few more times over the years. She once bummed a cigarette off of me, which was my proudest moment.”

MOVED TO LA BECAUSE: “I always wanted to come here. In High School I had dreams of going to UCLA and being a film major. I changed my path and went to NYU to study theater, but kept my eye on LA. I also had a boyfriend who was living here at the time so that made it easier. That didn’t work out, but it’s fine I’m still here.”

BEST MOMENT IN LA: “A couple of years ago I was headed to a Super Bowl party in the valley. I was kind of dreading it and I was already late. I don’t really care about the game and had forgotten the snacks I was suppose to bring. All of a sudden my phone starting going crazy. Calls, voicemails, texts. I had no idea what was happening. I finally checked my voicemail and found out that a cars.com commercial I had shot aired during the Super Bowl. Once I arrived at the party I prepared myself to walk in and have everyone congratulate me and be king of the room. I opened the door and everybody was like ‘dude did you bring the beer?’ Nobody said ANYTHING about the commercial. It became clear that they DVR’d the game and had not gotten to my commercial yet.  As soon as the commercial came on the room erupted. It was great to share that with my friends.”

WORST AUDITION: “I heard about a show called ‘Gay, Straight, or Taken.’ It was on Lifetime and it was $500 dollars for one day of work. Even showing up to the audition was difficult, I did not want to do this. So I get there and the girl running the casting was the best friend of my ex. It was like ‘ok, well she knows where I’m at, she knows I’ve bottomed out.’ It’s this really corny dating show, and I pretended to be in the hot tub, take my shirt off and started to dance, but not in a gay way because I have to act straight. I got the job, but I turned it down. I have a feeling that footage has circulated somewhere it shouldn’t.”

BEST AUDITION: “By some fluke I landed an interview with Kathy Griffin to be a writer on her show. I didn’t really have any qualifications other than being gay and being a fan of her. I got the call while on a temp job and I had to immediately leave. I got to the interview which was at her house, and it’s THE HOUSE, you know from ‘The D-List.’  I walked in and it’s ‘THE DOG’ and Kathy said ‘Do you want some milk and cookies?’ I said ‘absolutely.’ We sat down and started to chat. I was having a total out of body experience and not charming her at all. I gave her nothing as to why she should hire me and knew I was not getting the job. I didn’t. But even as it was happening I was just so happy to be there, and I can always say I had milk and cookies with Kathy Griffin.”

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN HIM IN: Cars.com commercial, Honda commercial, White Castle commercial. “In The Moment” web series, UCB shows, Worst Laid Plans, Boys in the Band

THIS JOB HELPS ME AS AN ACTOR: “I work from home now, so I can make my own schedule. My boss is super supportive, she’s an unlikely role model. I don’t get fired for going on auditions. In fact, she asks how they went.”

ADVICE FOR ACTORS MOVING TO LA: “Don’t be afraid to explore other areas in the industry. Don’t be afraid to PA. Never stop learning. Never stop taking classes.”