Fun fact: I used to want to be an actress (err I kind of still do). I used to take acting lessons, and even more recently, about six or so months back, I took a lesson. I know it’s never too late, but I sort of think that ship has sailed off into the high seas. Ha!
I’m always interested in how actors and actresses got their starts. And many of them got the courage to just go for it, such as David Thomas Newman.
David knew he wanted to be an actor ever since he was little, and finally, after working in the oil and gas industry for years (try to find a job that’s more opposite from acting, right?!) he took the leap, packed a bag, moved to Hollywood, and never looked back.
It can be scary to just get up and go, but I firmly believe if you feel it’s what you’re meant to do and something in your gut is telling you to do it, you kind of just gotta jump.
And so David did.
Keep on reading for my interview with David and find out who is dream co-star is, what he loves most about his job, advice he’d give to his younger self, advice for someone wanting to break into the industry, and much more.
Have you always known you wanted to be an actor? If not, what inspired you to become one?
Yes, 100%. Ever since I was a child I’ve been mimicking actors with impressions, goofy faces, and voices, trying to get people to laugh. Performing in church plays, mixed competitive ensemble chorale, theatre, improv, hosting events and emcee’ing parties, being a radio DJ, you name it, I was performing! To this day, I haven’t lost sight of that love to perform. Also, I’ve got a rubber face like Jim Carrey. Babies love me.
You used to live and work in Houston and then ultimately decided to move out to LA? What pushed you to do this? Did you wake up one morning and you knew it’s what needed to happen or it was a gradual process?
I was working in the Oil & Gas industry making way too much money for a young 20’s kid without a college degree. Spending just as much of that money, too. Corporate America in the Energy industry was never my “dream” but it’s interesting how it came to be, and eventually played a big part in my life at the time. I walked out of my last career, grabbed a carry-on bag, and hopped a one-way plane to Boss Angeles.
What’s your favorite part about your job? Most challenging?
Definitely showing up to set and experiencing other actors’ work. This is both my favorite part AND the most challenging part. Most people outside of this industry probably assume we spend a lot of time running lines, rehearsing, hanging out with each other, but we don’t. Usually, you show up to set with what you have prepared as your character, speak with wardrobe and get your outfit(s) ready, go to hair and makeup, grab some coffee (if you can), then BOOM! You’re on set. It’s challenging because you have to really bring your character’s most believable choices to the table in response to the other actors… But that’s literally WHY this is so much fun. That’s what they pay me for, anyways, right?
What’s been the biggest ‘pinch me’ moment of your career, thus far?
As an actor, you gotta be prepared with marketing materials. Reel, headshot, actor profiles, resume, etc. I think most everybody knows what these are and how we use them in the whole process, so they are completely vital to success. When I first got to LA, I quickly got my first headshot. Just one. No reel, no resume, no nothin. Somehow, I got signed to an agency and immediately got my first audition. Not only was it my first audition with my first agency after my first headshot session, but it was also an audition for CBS. Gulp. I booked it. We got the paperwork on my birthday, and it paid about 3x as much as my Oil & Gas career, dollar for dollar. Definitely a pinch me moment to just waltz up to the gates of Hollywood and snag a Co-Star on CBS! I’m still with the same agent, Liz Fuller, but we are now with Citizen Skull Management (hey agencies, wink-wink).
What actor(s) do you look up to and why?
Daniel Day-Lewis. He knows how to command the screen and allow you to forget you are watching a film. Typically you prepare yourself to watch a story when the trailers are playing at the movie theater… Day-Lewis invites you into the story.
What are you doing when you’re not working?
I love being outside. Whether it’s camping in Angeles National Forest, hiking the Culver City Stairs or Runyon, cruising the beach cities, or just walking around Marina Del Rey, you better believe I’m getting fresh air the first chance I get! Other than that, I’ve discovered writing and creating my own content and characters. We’ll see what happens!
What advice would you give someone wanting to break into Hollywood?
Find a mentor. If you think you know what a mentor is, go back and read the definition. A mentor is someone who is experienced. Most actors make the mistake of expressing opinions and listening to other actors who express opinions about this industry, but really don’t have their head wrapped around the craziness of Hollyweird. If your faucet is leaking and want to fix it yourself, are you going to call your buddy who also has a leaky faucet, or a plumber who has been there, done that?
Dream co-star?
Well, I already mentioned Daniel Day-Lewis, and he’s retired, anyways… so… I’d say Judy Dench. She seems to have an impeccable sense of humor and similar command to her onscreen presence. Maybe I should move to Great Britain.
What inspires you?
Watching independent and lower budget films. You always seem to find the best characters and they take you with them along their adventures. Reminds me of being a kid and experiencing the wonders of thick woods and building clubhouses and digging in the dirt. Never know what, or who, you’re gonna find. I love those types of stories, and they inspire me to tell my own.
What motto / quote do you always try to live by?
Be prepared. I’m an Eagle Scout. Never thought the Boy Scout Motto would follow me to my grave, but I know for sure that it will now. I think about this every day. Be prepared for the unexpected. Be prepared for rain. Be prepared for schedule changes. Be prepared for rewards. Be prepared for traffic. Be prepared for a sunburn. Be prepared for a flat tire. Be prepared with a gift at a housewarming party. Be prepared with your character lines and character choices. Just be prepared.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t listen to society. Make your own way. I spent too much time chasing the “American Dream” of a house, a white picket fence, a new car, a dog, blah blah blah. Society dictated my life, and I allowed it. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of people indulge in this dream and I love that for them! But it isn’t for me. Not yet, at least. I’m building my own American Dream.
What’s next for you? Anything you can share?
Having a supporting role in the feature “Voodoo Macbeth” for Warner Brothers was one of the most collaborative and interesting projects I’ve worked on, so far. Then, the action/thriller pilot “Shifter” for 99RedRams fell into my lap and I finally got to use one of the many accents in the arsenal I’ve been building since I was in kindergarten. Definitely a rewarding role playing an Irish Terrorist with a little bit of sly, a little bit of romance, and plenty of violence. I believe both of those will be completed in the coming months, so I’ll be sure to share (when permissible, of course, they will both be headed to film festivals). Although I can’t share details on some upcoming projects, I will say I never thought I’d get brought in to multiple producer sessions screen testing for network series this quickly after moving to Hollywood. I’m extremely excited to see what the future will bring!
Thanks, David!
Follow David on Instagram here and Facebook here.
See more from my interview series here.