Chrissy Metz, beloved as Kate Pearson on the hit NBC serial This Is Us, traveled a unique road to get to where she is. While many aspiring performers wait tables or do temp work while auditioning and studying, Metz took a less than traditional path that proved to be of great benefit to her!
The SAG Award-winning actress tells Soap Hub that she worked as an agent for nine years before becoming a working actress.
It’s amazing that you were able to segue from agent to actor as Hollywood tends to put people in boxes.
Oh, sure.
How did you become an agent?
I first became an assistant because my manager said, ‘Go to an agency and learn.’ (Laughs) I said are you telling me I can’t act? I thought well, I’m not going to wait tables because I’m not sure I’d be good at that. If I can sort of understand the business from the other side of the desk then why not do it? It evolved into nine years and a masters’ class in learning the business.
How did being an agent help you with acting?
I learned how to read people, which I think is so much of acting – hearing and listening to what people are saying. Also, when ‘d meet people who weren’t quite ready [to act professionally] but had potential I‘d ask them, ‘Why do you want to act? So often people just want to be famous.’
Were you good at it?
If I put my mind to something, I can be very good and thorough. I did enjoy being an agent because I got to learn a lot. There were times when I’d see clients go out for roles it was a little bit like watching your boyfriend take out another woman because that’s what I wanted to do!
How’d you transition from being an agent to an actor?
It was the role [of Barbara, aka Ima Wiggles] in American Horror Story. A co-worker called me and said, ‘Chrissy, this is your role!’ I said I only have three credits; Ryan Murphy will not hire me! But I said if you…continue reading on the next page —>
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