Member/Alum Success Profiles
(Click here to see more of our historical member success.)
Amir Talai
Bio
I'm from San Francisco. I got a degree in marketing and worked a lot in theater and commercials there, but eventually I knew I had to come to LA. My Story Year 1 (2002), I spent several hours a week at TAN, just learning. Before long, I had the tools to become a booking machine, moving from co-stars and small agents in year 2 (2003) to series regs and a 6-company team of reps in year 4. In 06/07, I booked 20+ commercials and was a regular/recurring on 3 TV shows, and in 2008, my 6th year in LA and in TAN, I began work as a series regular on my first network show, CBS' The Ex List. Why Join TAN? Simply put, I owe TAN my career. Want to be proactive? TAN teaches you a million ways HOW. It's helped not just newbies, but friends who've been here a while, wondering what I was doing that was getting me so much attention. Now that I work as an actor 40+ hrs a week, I donít use TAN very often, but I still pay my dues, not only to show my gratitude for what it has done for me, but so that I, like other AN success stories, can be here as a resource for other TAN members. 
Chad Brokaw
Bio
I was a bartender in Chicago when I got my first audition for a commercial. I booked it. When the residual checks started coming in I soon quit my bartending gig and moved to Los Angeles for better acting opportunities. My Story I met Paulo Andrés thru an acting coach of mine — he introduced me to TAN. I remember spending many hours in the library getting a leg up on the who's who and the what's what of Hollywood. It was really beneficial to have that inside info before I started auditioning. Ever since, I've been steadily working on TV, film and many, many commercials. Why Join TAN? This town is crazy and can be quite overwhelming. To make sense of it all and put you at ease—I can't tell you any better resource than what TAN provides for actors. 
Mitchell Fink
Bio
Born and raised in Cleveland, OH. Prior moving to LA, I tried the "real" world thing and was very successful while working for GMR Marketing on the Miller Lite sports account, the Cleveland Browns of the NFL and Adidas America. Regardless, no matter how great each job was, I wasn't happy unless I was acting. I made the decision to follow my heart and moved to LA in the fall of 2003 and haven't looked back. My Story Currently recurring on the hit CBS show C.S.I., as well as numerous guest star appearances in THE UNIT, CSI:NY, STILL STANDING, THE OC, THE COMEBACK and 2006 ABC Pilot HIM & US. I have had the pleasure of working with some truly great people including Dennis Haysbert, Gary Sinise, Jamie Gertz, Lisa Kudrow and Kim Catrell. Will also be seen in the 2007 Paramount Feature Film ZODIAC directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en, Panic Room) and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards and Robert Downey, Jr. In addition, I have worked on various commercial campaigns for Dick's Sporting Goods, Adelphia Cable, GMC, AG Edwards and Court TV. Why Join TAN? Without question, joining and becoming an active member of The Actor's Network is/was the most important thing I have done in Los Angeles. When you move to LA, this is no exact map to follow, so you are on your own - except when you become a member of TAN. Being a part of this organization gave me an immediate foundation of people, information and support from which I could go out and attack this town a bit smarter and more effectively. Whether it's researching teachers, photographers, developing an odd-size mailer or creating a more effective approach to marketing myself, TAN, its leaders and it members have always been there for me and are a major reason for why I am working actor today. 
Lisa K. Wyatt
Bio A Minnesotan St. Olaf Graduate (Math & Theatre), I worked in touring theatre out of Minneapolis and regional theatre and improv in Chicago. A St. Olaf graduate, I hail from Minnesota and Chicago where I worked extensively in theatre and improv. I'm married to fellow writer/actor Jim Blanchette.
My Story Moved to LA 1996, joined SAG 1998. In addition to a supporting role written for me in Southland Tales (Cannes 2006), over 40 film and TV credits include Mr. Woodcock, American Dreamz, Legally Blonde, Donnie Darko, My Name Is Earl, Six Feet Under, Big Love, Frasier, Gilmore Girls, ER. Voting member of the TV Academy. Why Join TAN? TAN provides a community of positive, competent, informed professionals willing to help each other as well as access to top notch industry guests and highly useful workshops. The Power Groups are a monthly recharge, info/idea bonanza and accountability source. I've received over $1000 in initially unpaid fees in the past 5 years due to a contract trap I learned about in PG. It's the single best thing I've done for my career since I moved to LA. Of my extensive web of professional relationships over 75% can be traced back to TAN. At TAN you can find the raw info you need, creative, proven ideas on how to use it and the inspiration to get it done. 
Tom O’Keefe
Bio
Grew up wanting to be an actor but thinking the life to risky, to uncertain. So I did what a lot of people do when they abandon their dreams — I became a lawyer. But not for long, 2 years of practice and I saw the light. My Story Came out to LA and started studying the craft of acting. Studied at the Groundlings, with Sal Romeo and Friends and Artists, and with Brian Reise. Still study, always studying. Did plays, produced plays, got involved with theater companies, still doing plays, doing one tonight. As far as working, for the $$ - I signed with AKA - my commercial agency who helped me book over 25 commercials in the past 5 years. Signed with S.C.A.W. booked me on a Hallmark movie, The SHIELD, Drake and Josh and ER. Still working at it day by day. Loving the process - sometimes hating the process - but loving life. Why Join TAN? The entertainment business is a tricky animal. Often it seems that neither logic nor the laws of nature apply. TAN provides the information, the insight, the network to help you understand the beast. It helped me understand the realities of pursuing this life and gave me the tools I needed to withstand the most frustrating times. 
Todd Sherry
Bio I am originally from a small town in PA called Meadville, near the Ohio border...in other words NOWHERE! I went to college at Clarion University of PA...again, NOWHERE. Funny, I thought 4 years of college and a BFA degree in Acting would have prepared me to pursue the actor's life. Not true. Oh, I learned how to act and the history of theatre, and how to paint a flat and hang a light, but no one taught me the BUSINESS of Acting. Consequently, once I moved to Los Angeles, it took me a great deal of time to learn all the stuff I should have already known once I hit the "big city". Thank goodness for The Actors' Network!
My Story While in NYC, I kept being dogged by the desire to do TV and film. (When I was in college, I had foolishly listened to a few people who said I wasn't good-looking enough to be on TV or in Film.) After many years in on the east coast, I decided to make the switch to LA and pursue what I really wanted. Since then, I have played Guest Star roles on many TV shows including CHARMED, WILL & GRACE, JOAN OF ARCADIA, THE O.C., JAKE IN PROGRESS, GHOST WHISPERER, THE LOOP, HALF & HALF, THE NINE, and many more. I have also played supporting roles in films like MISS CONGENIALITY 2 (with Sandra Bullock), and WHO'S YOUR CADDY? (with Sherri Shepard and Big Boy from OUTKAST). I have shared the screen with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Camryn Manheim, Harriet Harris, John Stamos, Wendy Malick, Alyssa Milano, Scott Wolf, Chi McBride, Tim Daly, Debra Messing, Jeff Goldblum, Grant Shaud, Jenny McCarthy, Telma Hopkins, Rachel True, Peter Gallagher, and countless others. Why Join TAN? The Actors' Network was SO important to me because it not only gave me a community of actors where I felt welcome and comfortable, but it provided access to the vital information I needed to get my career in gear. Many of my early "survival jobs" and even some acting gigs came from other members, especially in my Power Group. I can honestly say that being a member of The Actors' Network is the single most important thing I did for my career in Los Angeles. Without it, I might still be waiting tables...and waiting for a break...instead of creating my own! I am now a Lifetime Member. |
Masi Oka
Masi Oka, a 6 1/2 year TAN member and now Alum, receives a 2007 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series, for his work on the NBC hit series Heroes.
Christopher Gorham
Christopher Gorham, having spent his first few years as an actor in Los Angeles as a member of The Actorsí Network, is now one of the outstanding cast members from the hit show Ugly Betty. The Ugly Betty cast took home the 2007 Golden Globe award for Outstanding Cast in a Comedy series
Merrin Dungey
Dungey is best-known for her role as Francie Calfo on the successful television drama Alias, which she played from 2001 to 2003, and reprised in a surprise appearance in the series finale episode All the Time in the World.
Dungey has also appeared in the television series The King of Queens (1998-present) and Summerland (2004 - 2005), as well as Kitty Kernaban, Stevie's mother, in Malcolm in the Middle and an appearance at the beginning of Season One of NBCís The West Wing. Dungey has also guest starred on various TV series including: Martin, Living Single, ER, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Friends and Curb Your Enthusiasm. In March 2007 it was announced that Dungey will be part of the cast of the Grey's Anatomy spin-off, Private Practice. 
Maggie Grace
Maggie Grace was born on September 21, 1983, in Columbus, Ohio. Kevin allowed her to joing TAN at only 16 years old. She got her start in films in 2002 with Murder in Greenwich and Shop Club. In 2003, at the age of 20, she played a creepy, Goth-influenced estranged daughter of Wendy Crewson and Tom Selleck in the drama Twelve Mile Road, but her big break didn't come until one year later, playing the beautiful Shannon Rutherford on the hit ABC island-survival drama Lost. She also stars with Smallville cover boy Tom Welling in the new horror film The Fog. Written by: Dexter Felipe Williams
Tamara Braun
In January of 2008 our beloved Alum, Tamara Braun took over on Days of Our Lives as Ava. Tamara is also known for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of sassy Caroline "Carly" Benson-Roberts Quartermaine Corinthos on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, a role she played from 2001 to 2005. As Carly, Braun was featured very prominently as the romantic partners of characters Sonny Corinthos, portrayed by Daytime Legend Emmy winner Maurice Benard, and Lorenzo Alcazar, portrayed by Ted King.
Braun's predecessor in the role, Emmy winner Sarah Brown, was incredibly popular; however, after initial resistance, fans began to accept Braun in the role, and Braun gained enormous popularity. After she left General Hospital, she was replaced by Jennifer Bransford. Unfortunately, only a few months later, most likely due to Bransford's unpopularity, Bransford was let go and replaced by daytime perennial Laura Wright, who debuted in November 2005. Carly saw heavy on-screen time for the first time since Sarah Brown originated the role in 1996. After some time to relax after exiting her role as Carly on General Hospital, Braun got back to work as the female lead in the independent movie Little Chenier, which was filmed in Louisiana in August 2005. Braun worked with a dialect coach to perfect a Cajun accent, and she altered her appearance by getting a bronzed tan and darkening her hair. Tamara appeared as pastry chef Rose on four episodes of the ABC sitcom Freddie as a romantic interest of both lead male characters on the show. Tamara completed the movie Limbo Lounge, an independent film for director Tom Pankratz where she is the lead female. Most recently, Tamara has completed one episode of the CBS hit show Cold Case starring as country singer Edie Lowe who helps cover up the murder of a fellow country singer in order to protect her career, and as Brenda Sanborn in one episode of the Ghost Whisperer on the same network. Currently, Tamara has been auditioning for both the big and small screen and she also attends various fan gatherings, her most recent being in February in New York City. 
Lonnie Hamerman
Lonnie first started as a dancer then actress then agent and for the past 9 years has been actively casting. She started at The Casting Company a huge casting office handling film and television. She worked at CFB Casting which handled features and television. Shows that she's has been involved with have been Monk, Buffy Vampire Slayer,Angel and FireFly. She was nominated for Best Casting Comedy Series for Monk in 2004. She worked with Gary Zuckerbrod for Without A Trace for 4 years and recently partnered with Leanne Sheldon to start her new independent casting company.
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