Interviewing actor Aaron Marcus


1-. How was your childhood?

I spent a lot of time doing sports and later playing guitar. I did nothing connected with the acting industry.

2-. From what age did you decide to be an actor and filmmaker and how did you know you had the skills to go on TV?

I didn’t decide on acting until late in life. I had dropped out of college to perform and write music, which lasted seven years. When that ended, I needed to figure out what I wanted to do in life. I decided to become a physical therapist. So, I spent two years in college taking all of the science classes I avoided all of my life and the plan was to apply to P.T. school. While in college I needed to support myself with a part-time job. I met an actor who mostly worked on TV commercials. I thought that was fun and it could be a great side hustle for me while being a full-time student. I had no training or experience in the acting world. I was surprised, but I actually started booking acting and commercial modeling jobs (modeling for “regular-looking people”) fairly quickly. After doing this for 2 years, I decided that this was something I wanted to try full-time. I gave myself one year to test this out and that has turned into 40+ years as a full-time actor. I quickly learned that if I really wanted to have success, I needed to study acting. I knew my basic instincts could only take me so far. That was a great decision because it gave me specific ways and techniques of approaching characters, preparing for auditions, and understanding what I can do if I am not feeling something in the moment.

3-. Did your parents support you in the decision you made to be an actor?

No, my parents were very very far removed from the industry. They did not understand why I would give up on a great steady job as a physical therapist and pursue something that was so foreign to them.

4-. What was your first appearance on the screens?

My first appearances were in commercial modeling ads that ran in newspapers and magazines and some TV commercials. It took many years before I started working on film and TV shows.

5-. What was the role you liked the most?

Honestly, I love working, period. Whether it is a training film or a commercial modeling ad for a phone company. Being flown to Hawaii for a commercial modeling job was very cool, as was getting the opportunity to have scenes with 3 Academy Award Winning Actors.

6-. What do you think led you to Fame?

I am not famous. I have worked a lot, but I am just the regular guy you would never recognize on the street, which is great for me. I have no interest in being famous. I just love to work.

7-. What types of characters you would like to interpret?

My character as Michael, on the Netflix show House of Cards was very difficult and interesting. I took care of the Vice President’s mother(Ellen Burstyn) and had to help her even when her daughter (Robin Wright) was not being very nice to her. The complication was that I had to be respectful to the Vice President’s wife and stand up for her mom. It was wonderful getting a chance to work with both of these phenomenal actors.

8-. What actresses and actors do you feel comfortable working with?

I have enjoyed working with many people. I have to say that working with Tom Hanks and Dame Judi Dench were very special experiences.

9-. In what other genres of art would you like to participate? (Works of theater, music, among others)

I used to be a musician and songwriter. I do miss that special experience of performing for a group of people on stage. I would have my eyes closed and float to a different place. Quite often I didn’t even realize there were people in the room. Then when the song was over, it was a bit shocking to hear the applause. It would take so much work to get those guitar skills back, that I don’t see myself doing any performing of music again.

10-. Do you have any anecdotes that have marked you in your life and as a person?

I have found that it takes a lot of time, perseverance and an understanding not to take anything personally in our industry to have success both as an actor and a human. When we don’t book the job, quite often it has nothing to do with giving a bad audition. We just were not the perfect person for that role. On the show House of Cards, it took 15 auditions over 2 years before I booked a recurring role.

11-. What has been your greatest achievement?

Being able to pay my bills, raise a great family with my wife and love doing what I do is my greatest achievement. I also love helping others have success in the industry. That is why I save 5 days each month to offer virtual coaching: https://howtoactandmodel.com/mentoringprogram A few other things I am very proud of is helping fellow actors by having a great website: https://howtoactandmodel.com/ where people can sign up and get free industry information from me. I knew early on that if I ever had success in the industry, I would help others avoid the mistakes and pitfalls I experienced by doing everything on my own.

12-. What projects will you make next and which ones do you have in mind?

I never know what might come up next. Unfortunately, I recently had to turn down a really interesting independent film because I was already booked out. Not knowing what is coming next is one of the things I love about the industry. It is always full of surprises.

13-. Would you like to make a movie in Spain?

Making a film in Spain would be incredible. I have never had the chance to visit, but want to. I did spend 500+ days trying to learn Spanish, but I never got to be proficient or even close. My sister-in-law and two nephews and niece are fluent, and I wish I was as well. I just don’t have the time to spend on becoming bilingual. Maybe at some point in the future that will happen.

14-. You like Spanish cinema?

I am not that familiar with Spanish cinema, but would love to see Spanish made films. SAG-AFTRA Acting/Modeling Career Coach Author: How to Become a Successful Actor and Model Website: howtoactandmodel.com Friend:   facebook.com/howtomodel Follow:   twitter.com/aaronrrmarcus Follow:    instagram.com/aaronrmarcus/ IMDB:    http://www.imdb.me/aaronmarcus Mentoring Program: howtoactandmodel.com/mentoringprogram Subscribe: youtube.com/c/AaronMarcusActingAndModelingQuickTips


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