To say Christopher has been through a lot is an understatement. He’s faced challenges that most people would succumb to. Not, Christopher! He turned the challenges into a positive, using them to propel his career in acting. He’s such an inspiration to anyone going through a similar struggle. We had an opportunity to chat with Christopher .
You have been busy! You completed 18 films in 12-months. Tell us more.
Hi, yes, I have just finished number 18 in 12 months. When I started acting I told myself I would jump in two feet first, and if I’m not on set, I am looking for my next job. I travel the UK from top to bottom, and I have slept in my car for days just to complete roles. It has been such an intense, but fun journey. I met an actor last year who told me I had a great look and I should go into acting. I’ve always loved watching behind the scenes in films, and thought, honestly, wow that would be a dream. So, I got someone to take some head shots and put them on Facebook, and then, in a few days, I seen posts about roles in a film. I applied with no acting experience. It was a gangster hit man role,. When I did my first self-tape the director said I was unbelievable, and after that film it’s been one job after the other.
You had a challenging childhood. You dealt with homelessness and abuse. Also, you don’t have formal training in acting. You use personal experiences to play your roles. Tell us more.
Yes. It’s not something I’ve spoken much about until I met with a friend that told me I needed to share to inspire others. My first thought was nobody would want to hear the horrid things I went through, but she convinced me to talk about It. If It helps others, I would now be glad to. I grew up in a rough city in Ireland in a very abusive home, with a lot of violence and both physical and mental abuse, which I hid from my friends for years. When I turned thirteen I had enough and started to avoid school. Within a few years, my grades slipped. I was getting into trouble and before my exams I moved out of my home. I was sleeping on park benches and in old abandoned garages. l found the gym, which actually saved me as this is where I met someone that gave me a home. From then until I was twenty, I never had a steady home and was constantly on the street, or couch surfing from one friend to another, and even sneaking into friends’ parents sheds for shelter. I finally got on my feet and was at the gym training with a man who became my father figure. In 2011, when all was looking good in life, I was robbed outside a bank and severely beaten and left for dead. It took many months to recover from this. But before I start to bore people, the answer to the question, how do I use that in my acting? Well, I’ve had a few people saying that I can’t relate my life to every character I play – once I was asked what if you played an astronaut in space? Well, I can relate, I’ve been alone. I’ve been secluded from society, so I know what it’s like to be alone and scared. Then with gangster or tough hit men roles, I grew up in violence – I seen it everywhere. As far as training, no, I don’t have any, but I would say to actors if you get the chance, then absolutely train as much as you can. I use my past as my fire and ability to get in character, as my whole life I’ve had to act tough or unafraid, when really that was not the case. So, I relate to those memories when preparing for any film.
You slept in cars to between auditions to get roles. That perseverance is astounding. Could you share how you manage to do it?
Yeah, I’ve did a couple of films four or five hours drive from where I live. I’ve packed a bag with fresh clothes and toiletries, and put the seats down in the back of my car, as it is an estate car. Then before set, I always have a bowl, a face cloth, big bottle of water, and shower gel. I would find a toilet to go into and get a wash. Or, before set, I will go to a swimming pool or gym and get a shower, or do this directly after leaving set. I may not always be able to afford hotels, but my hygiene is extremely important. So, whether its going to the gym before set, or after set. I am always getting a shower or two each day. This isn’t a constant occurrence, but I have had to do this a few times, as I could not afford hotels.
When you’re acting what experience do you reply on the most?
No matter the role, I always try to find a memory or emotion I can relate to and go from there. Most of my roles consist of action or being aggressive or powerful, in some manor, so being at the gym and seeing what I have in the past, I can relate to being a powerful presence or looking or talking tough. I don’t like it, but one thing that works is if I have to roar or shout at someone aggressively. I just remember all the arguments I seen as a child.
Let’s talk projects. What has been your favorite(s), thus far?
That’s a hard question, as I have thoroughly enjoyed all my roles. But I have just finished playing the role of a detective and, honestly, I have really enjoyed this character, as he is not your average detective. I can’t say much more, but I got to show aggression, compassion, fear, ignorance, and also be cunning but shifty . It has been a range of motions and I love that part of being an actor.
Do you have plans to attend an acting school or workshop?
Yes, I intend on getting all my screen combat courses done from unarmed to weapons. I would also like to do some workshops, with some inspiring actors and directors.
What types of roles do you hope to be cast in the future?
Honestly, I am hoping for a Sons of Anarchy biker-type role, as everyone I’ve worked with say I have that look. Or, an action hero or firefighter, or paramedic role – someone that saves lives, someone that makes a difference in the world; someone people will respect and relate to.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?
So far, every experience I’ve had has been amazing. The fact that being an actor gives you escape from real life. I can’t be the only one, who sits and thinks, wow, this is unreal only in acting. Can I be a million different people? I don’t need to choose one career. Today, I am a gangster, tomorrow a vampire, next week a police officer. As an actor, you experience a million different lives in your one lifetime. That is amazing. I’ve been lucky to meet amazing people and I am only 12 months in. I already met so many inspirational people from the amazing students I’ve worked. It’s amazing to see their passion and know I am helping them set up a future, as much as they are helping me set up mine. I have worked with some amazing actors, especially on my last project, we were like a family and had such an unbelievable time. Then I see on Facebook, teenagers and people twice my age all landing these amazing roles and that is an inspiration. The best part is, yes, there may be a million actors (don’t take that number on point, as i don’t know – it’s just a guess [laughs]) in the UK, but we all want the next job. To say I am in that group of such amazing, outstanding, talented people is truly an honor. Only in acting, do you get to connect with such people. I am extremely lucky to be apart of it. So, if I need inspiration, I don’t need to look far or too big for famous stars, it’s the people on my friend’s list, like a man in Los Angeles I have been in contact with, that is doing such amazing things as a director. It’s made me push harder for more credits and apply for my 01 visa to get work out there.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
I am just doing some finishing pick ups on Sparrowhawk, a great film. I’ve been blessed to be apart of them, and another three features from now until June, including a brilliant post-apocalyptic film, Codename Vasquez . I won’t give too much away, but a few more will be coming, so keep an eye on my IMDB .
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
Succeed in acting. Make it to LA and get a role on a series or a big film. Something that will set my family up and make sure they never struggle. My dream is a nice home, the food cupboards to always be full, and my bank account not in the minus. Also, I dream to work with Dwayne Johnson, Vin Diesel, Hugh Jackman, Charlie Hunnam, Emilio Riviera, and the list goes on [laughs]. But they are inspiration, if Im looking at Hollywood. A lot of people doubted me and told me I was only dreaming. If I thought for a second I would ever be something worth talking about, to those I would say what is the difference in me and the people I have named above? They weren’t born famous; they worked for it like I am doing. If I was to be negative and not believe I can make it, then why am wasting my time working so hard. To many people are negative and don’t dream big enough and my partner always says Christopher if your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough. I have told many we all come from different paths in life but its how we let those paths shape us as individuals that matters every path leads to a crossing its up to you what way you chose to go. You are no different to those that are famous and if people tell you that you cant do something , don’t listen as they are only trying to stop you from doing something they cant. Never be afraid to take a leap as sometimes the longest fall can land you right on your feet exactly where you need to be . remember my quote. NOT ONLY WILL I WALK UP TO THE DOOR OF ACTING BUT I WILL TAKE IT OFF ITS HINGES AND SHOW IT SOMETHING ITS NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
Special Message from Christopher: I have not went into full detail of my past, etc,., as I plan to release a book in the future, to help others that have been through what I have and will be donating half the sales to charity.
About Author
such a true inspiration. fights harder than anyone I know through all the dark times and tries to shine light on them…