Before coming to Hollywood to pursue an acting career, you need to know what you’re gonna be getting into. Going after your dreams of becoming a successful working actor will not be easy. I’m in no way trying to discourage you. I just want you to be aware that if by any chance you don’t become the next Tom Cruise or Miley Cyrus, or Julia Roberts or Denzel Washington or whoever; it does not mean you still can’t be successful in this business. The key to your success in Hollywood will be based on how consistent you are as a working professional actor.
It doesn’t matter if you win an Emmy or an Oscar. It doesn’t matter if you make a gazillion dollars. Eventually you will come to grips with asking yourself if you’re truly happy doing what you’re doing. Of course, having an Oscar or making a gazillion dollars is great but what if that doesn’t happen for you? What if you were able to work consistently as an actor, making a decent living, would you still be happy? Would you still consider yourself successful?
The fact is that most professional actors are not on a Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts “level” but it certainly does not mean they are not successful actors. If you’re only motive is to come to Hollywood and make a lot of money and be a big star, then you’re in it for all the wrong reasons. This is not reality. Your reason for wanting to come to Hollywood should be to express creatively what you believe is a God-given talent. You should enjoy the craft of acting so much that you can’t imagine doing anything else. Know what you’re getting into.
