Alex Barone
Interviewed by: Steven Tylor O’Connor, CSA
1) Has there been a Casting Director that has encouraged and/or supported you in your career?
I want to give a huge shoutout to Steven Tylor O’Connor who’s always had my back. I first met Steven through a CSA Diversity workshop about seven years ago, in which my friend and writing partner, Kurt Yaeger, wrote me a funny original scene to perform for Steven and other CD’s, in which I ended up wearing my girlfriend’s underwear and showing it off during my scene! It was a hilarious experience, but also a great icebreaker to meet these new casting directors. Steven has been a great friend ever since, both in the industry and out. He has been someone who has always championed for not just me, my buddy Kurt, but for all performers with disabilities. He has been a huge advocate among this community, and continues to not just cast authentically, but cast PWD’s in all roles, disability AND able-bodied. Making him a powerhouse and gamechanger in this industry! We also love having rad game nights!
Other amazing friendships/relationships and powerhouses in this industry that have championed for me and/or cast me and/or always bring me in; include the amazing casting directors Wendy O’Brien and Chris Gehrt, Jason Kennedy, Richard Hicks, David Rubin, Carol Kritzer, Tony Sepulveda, Claudia Lyon, Vickie Thomas, Leah Daniels- Butler, Erica Arvold, Seth Yanklewitz, Marci Phillips, Veronica Collins Rooney, and many more…
2) What work are you most proud of?
I must remind myself to be proud of all the work I get. We’re in such a competitive and ever-changing/shifting industry, which makes me realize just how rare it is to land each part. I’m proud of a lot. I’m proud of little parts like I had in “Dopesick,” because of how close to home that story was for my family. Proud of the role I had in “Luckiest Girl Alive,” not just because the size of the production and the amazing cast/team attached, but because I got to use my physical difference to my advantage in storytelling. I’m also so proud to be a part of “Mayans MC” during its fifth and final season and to be able to play such a crucial role in the story. This was biggest role I’ve played and longest job I’ve had thus far. I made such great relationships on that set. I became close to the showrunner, Elgin James, the writers, crew, and other actors, making the process so incredible for me as both an actor and just personally. I was able to incorporate lots of bits of me into the character and truly collaborate with the writing team on this. I have a couple upcoming projects underway as well that I was so thrilled to be working on.
All of these were dream projects to be part of. Mostly, I’m so proud of all the work and collaboration yet to come in film, TV, and storytelling for me.
3) What or who inspired you to pursue acting as a career?
I spent so much of my childhood having surgeries, during which I was out of school and couch-bound for months at a time. During those times, I’d escape by watching films. I fell in love with film, characters, actors, and stories. I had a book with a bunch of Hollywood movie star’s addresses, and I used to write letters to them. I never heard back, but it was a dream since so early on to be in this business. I was very insecure about my body, basically up until high school when I took a theatre class that I fell in love with. Acting felt like an escape for me, put myself in other people’s mind and body, and out of my own insecurities, if that makes sense? I knew I wanted to be an actor ever since then. I’d spend every evening after school making homemade movies with my best friend Phil with our camcorder. My family has always been my biggest support in telling me to chase my dreams, even when everyone else said it couldn’t be done and was unrealistic due to my physical difference. I knew it’d be a difficult road to climb, but I wanted to be the first person that looked like me to have a powerful presence on screen. I want to be the role model to others like me that I didn’t personally have growing up myself. That’s what I continue to chase.
4) What was your first IMDBPro credit and how did you feel when you saw it?
I think my first IMDbPro credit was actually “Dopesick,” which I was so proud to be a small part that project of for so many reasons, close to home for me! It’s always a satisfying feeling every time you gain a credit on IMDbPro because it means you’re booking and blessed! It’s motivating and self-reassuring for me to know that I’m on the right track in chasing after my dream.
5) How has IMDBPro helped you market yourself to filmmakers?
I love IMDb and IMDbPro. It’s motivating to me, to see how everyone’s connected in this huge, but very small industry. I use it for everything industry related, whether it’s for my writing, research on projects, directors, casting, producers, reps, etc.
6) Any funny casting room stories?
I’m sure I have a lot, but two come to mind. One time, I went in for an audition after telling the casting director that I was very good at soccer. Now, I played soccer as kid but am no good, really. But I thought hey, how hard could it be to act like I know what I’m doing? Fake it until you make it, right? In the audition room, they rolled out a soccer ball and asked me to show them some tricks. With confidence, I flicked up the ball in the air (which I was surprised I even did) and did what I thought would be a cool kick but kicked the ball directly at the casting director’s face, knocking over the camera and tripod. We just exchanged looks, and with that look, he knew I was full of it and didn’t know what I was doing with that ball. I walked out with my head down. From that point on, I learned not to lie and that there is more power in honesty and failing, while still being me.
Another time is when I show casting directors my hands after an audition and seeing their reaction. It’s priceless almost every time. I always try and justify my hands by explaining how it adds such a layer to the character, and this is why the production should hire me,. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But I’m not afraid of it anymore and think most casting directors love authenticity and someone a little different, right?
7) Tell us a fun fact about you outside of acting:
Let’s see…I underwent 46 surgeries early on in my life, which I believe has given me lots of grit, strength, and tenacity (all of which we need in this industry). I’m very passionate about advocating for and empowering performers with differences in the entertainment industry. I’m actively involved and work with a couple of organizations, 'Camp No Limits' and ‘Limb Kind,’ as a mentor to children with limb differences. I travel up to 13 camps a year all around the country and internationally. I love it. Couple more fun facts: I love Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I’m the oldest of four siblings, I’m really good at handstand walks, and I was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
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