The Will to Succeed

The acting profession is difficult to break into unless you’re lucky, or friends with or related to someone influential in the business. It takes diligence, perseverance, drive and talent to last. It has to be something you want more than anything (“Everyone Into the Talent Pool,” by Greg Braxton and Dana Calvo, March 17).

Being in your 20s and saying that it’s so hard and not fair because you are of an ethnic background is in some ways an excuse that doesn’t play as much as it used to. There are more opportunities than ever.

As a Russian-Jewish-American-nerdy-balding-chunky character actor, I don’t feel we’re represented enough either. I have been pursuing an acting career for 20 years and didn’t actually get my first professional job for 13 of those years.

Couldn’t find an agent, couldn’t get in the unions, got two or three auditions a year. Now I have a better agent, I’m in all the unions, and I work in commercials and TV once or twice a year.

The competition is fierce and those of us who are “appearance challenged” have fewer opportunities than the gorgeous men and women of all races who take the leading roles. How about a showcase for funny-looking actors?

I’ve been told I have trouble being cast because I’m too ethnic. I’d be better off in New York because there is more opportunity for ethnic actors. In L.A. talk this means that I look like a New York Jew. Of course, I’m not ethnic enough to warrant inclusion in the showcases in your article. So I’m too ethnic and not ethnic enough.

Even so, I still believe that talent and perseverance will pay off in the long run.

MARC IRA SEGAL

Upland