WHERE ARE
YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born and grew up in New England. I spent my entire childhood
in the woods of Vermont. After high school I moved to Maine
for college, then a couple years ago I moved to Los Angeles and
started to pursue an acting/modeling career. It was a really
big change for me. Back in New England it's dirt roads and only
one mall within an hour radius. In LA, it's endless buildings
and every convenience you might want. I don't live right in
the city; I actually live in a small beach community about 15
miles from downtown so it feels a little more like home to me
and the people are really nice. Mostly a surfing/sports minded
community so everyone is laid back which is cool. I can walk
down to the beach and watch the dolphins and sea lions. A lot
of people have the wrong impression of LA. They think it's nothing
but smog and concrete. Not true. LA(the county as a whole)
is made up of countless very diverse communities. There is a
community to fit every type of person. Also, if you look along
the coast you will find incredible beauty. I would urge anyone
visiting to travel around the different areas, particularly the
coast, rather than passing judgment from their hotel room or
one part of the city.
WHAT IS
YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY?
I've always been an outdoors kind of guy, coming from a rural
area like I did. I used to fish a lot or just walk around in
the woods and stuff. It's obviously different in LA, but I still
like being outside, hang out at the beach, I run a lot, spend
a lot of time staying in shape, and just really enjoying the
perfect weather. But I also admit to enjoying the tons of great
restaurants and amenities a city has to offer. There's tons
to do and always something going on. Mostly, I love to eat,
work out, and travel around a little. I still go back to New
England a lot and travel around the southwest quite a bit including
California and Arizona. I've also zigzagged around to places
like Chicago, Virginia, Florida, etc.
WHAT'S
THE WORST JOB YOU EVER HAD?
I don't think I've ever had a job I hated. I've had to work
since I was a kid, but it's more like "what is the hardest
job I've ever had?". For sure it would be the summer I
spent mowing lawns at a nursery in Vermont. I had to ride my
bike to work and it was about 5 miles up and down hills while
dodging loose dogs that wanted me for lunch. I was beat by the
time I got there, then I had to mow grass on the side of a hill,
after which I had to ride my bike back home again. All this
for the most minimal pay. Granted, I was only 12 years old and
the folks were doing me a favor giving me a summer job, but geeesh,
that was a tough one. Still the same, I always showed up on
time and did the best job I could. Whether it be that job, or
when I was a stock boy at a grocery store in high school, or
the other more "civilized" business jobs I've had since
college, I always took pride in my work. I always wanted to
be the fastest or the best, even if it was only "how many
cases can I stock in an hour" at the grocery store. I've
always been very competitive and wanted to put my best foot forward.
I think that's helped me a lot in my acting/modeling career.
Being professional, showing up as agreed, and having a good
attitude are so important in this business. Looks are not everything.
You can be the best looking guy around, but if you are a pain
to work with, then you'll find yourself without work.
HOW DID
YOU GET INTO ACTING AND MODELING?
I always had the idea in the back of my mind of being an actor.
It seemed like fun and I always studied people, the way they
spoke and behaved, and mimicked people sometimes(much to the
irritation of others), so when I decided to move to LA for the
sunshine, I thought maybe I could check out the whole acting
thing. I realized very quickly it was a lot harder than it looked.
But I took some classes and had a former actress from Beverly
Hills give me some coaching lessons, along with getting onto
some sets as an extra. It just sort of went from there and although
I have a long way to go before I'm Tom Cruise, I'm making good
progress with some national TV appearances and lead roles in
small independent films. The modeling however, was a complete
accident. I never considered myself a model. But through my
acting, people kept complimenting me on my acting photos. Then
I had offers from photographers for shoots, so I happily agreed.
It turned out to be tons of fun. So I got myself in shape and
just kept trying to improve my photos. Now I really enjoy both
acting and modeling. Acting allows me to use my skills and bring
out emotions and ideas I have for specific characters and circumstances,
while the modeling allows me to be creative and present myself
in different ways.
ANY WILD
EXPERIENCES SO FAR (GOOD OR BAD)?
Answering that can only get me into trouble. Models are very
fun and uninhibited people, so things can get crazy. There was
a time when we were on a freestyle type shoot with a mix of diverse
guys and girls. You make friends fast in this business, so it
wasn't long before we were all friends and having a good time.
Well, people started to get silly and clothes started coming
off. It was all in good nature and it was a fun time, and I
say no more. Another time I was on a set for a small film in
which I had a small part. A well known celebrity who will go
nameless needed to "relieve himself". For some reason
he was denied access to a private bathroom on the set, so in
response he unzipped and drained himself right there on the ground
where he stood with everyone watching in disbelief.
DO YOU
HAVE A PHILOSOPHY OR SOMETHING YOU'VE LEARNED IN YOUR LIFE THAT
YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
All I can say is how I've lived my life and that is I always
go for what I want. I don't care if other people disapprove.
I decide on what I want to do and then I go for it 100%, even
if it means moving across country, or taking risks, or getting
weird looks and comments from people. I say don't be afraid
to pursue your dreams. I was a poor boy in Vermont living in
a mobile home in the woods. Now I'm working in Hollywood as
an actor/model. It's pretty exciting. There are no excuses
for not trying things.
WHAT IS
YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL OR VISION?
Right now I'm working really hard at building my career so that
I will have the opportunity to model for great photographers
and brands. I would really love to land a role on a successful
TV show or movie. But really my goal is to have the ability
to do whatever I want to do. Having the freedom to make choices
about my life is what it's all about for me. I want to wake
up every morning and be excited about the day.
WHAT IS
THE WORST/MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT BEING A MODEL?
I'm not going to complain about standing in front of a camera
and having my picture taken. However, it's a ton of work to
exercise every day and have to watch everything I eat. Then
there's the rejection. Your mother might say you're cute, but
industry people might say "too small", "too big",
"too fat", "too skinny", or whatever. All
your flaws are under a microscope and brought out in the open.
This is when you have to believe in yourself the most or you
will go crazy. My philosophy is to not take it too seriously.
After all, when I was in elementary school, I used to get picked
on for being too skinny and weak. Now I'm a model in Beverly
Hills. Doesn't add up. So I figure I'm still the skinny kid,
but I work hard and believe in myself and maybe that makes the
difference.
IF YOU
COULD BE ANYTHING YOU WANTED OR COULD HAVE ANY JOB IN THE WORLD,
WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would be the "voice of reason". I think there are
too many people in this world telling other people how they should
live or judging other people without full understanding of other
perspectives. I wish I had the power to bring fairness, understanding,
and compromise back into the world.
Music
Walks
Beach
Mexican food
Good conversation
Peace & quiet
Iced tea
Prime Rib
Creativity
Loud noises
Prejudice
Car alarms
Barking dogs
Hatred
Long lines
Injustice
