Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Borlenghi.
Matt, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got the acting bug when I was seven years old, though never got into it until late in my teens. I did take theater in high school, at Beverly Hills High, but never did any of the plays because The Brady Bunch TV show ruined that idea for me; their school productions were so cheesy. I never actually auditioned for anything until I’d worked as an extra for two years because I wanted to understand how sets worked, who did what, where things belonged, etc., because I knew that when I started auditioning I was going to start booking roles. I felt it in my bones. Once I did start, things moved pretty quickly, and the next thing I knew I was moving to New York to star on All My Children, opposite Kelly Ripa (and yes, Susan Lucci was fantastic).
After a couple of years on AMC, I was tired of the drama and quit to go back to LA to do sitcoms, to laugh all day at work. Several series regular roles followed: Pig Sty, Party Girl, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Police Academy the series, a few movies. Soon after, though, I made some bad lifestyle choices, got a bit lost for a while, dropped out of the biz. Once I straightened myself out, I went back to work with Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, a couple of plays. I got into the car biz, became one of the top dealers in the country for a luxury German company, but I wasn’t happy. In October of 2017, we moved to Atlanta to have a better life and be involved in the growing TV and film production here, and after a bad episode working with some terrible, unethical owners of a prominent acting school, I started teaching/coaching students on my own, kids to adults, helping with self-taping for auditions as well. Meanwhile, I have a recurring role as the pawnshop owner, Lyle, on the world-wide YouTube hit show “Cobra Kai”, I starred in The Bobby DeBarge Story TV movie and recently did guest spots on Dynasty and Stargirl & more. I also do some work in the home improvement field, and I just obtained my life insurance license as well. I like to quote my old friend, Gene Kirkwood, the producer of Rocky: “I’m like rust… I’m always working”.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing ever comes easy, but I’ve always believed in myself, even when I was at my lowest points. I figured that if I survived those times, I’d have a good story to tell. The hardest times to deal with since moving to the Atlanta area were discovering that people I thought were very close friends, trusted friends, are monsters that put themselves above anyone and everything else, and will try to destroy anyone who doesn’t do their bidding or play by their rules. On the flip side, I’ve made a few amazing new friendships with quality humans here. Acting-wise, it took a while to get into the “circle” here, regardless of my resume’, because it’s a very close-knit circle and the players here didn’t know me, but I’ve formed some great working relationships with casting offices and agencies.
I’m fortunate to work with J. Pervis Talent and Crackerjack Management East locally, and Vicki McCarty out west. George Pierre is a prominent casting director here, and I feel blessed that he always thinks of me for projects. George cast me in The Bobby DeBarge Story, and I’m grateful to feel I’ve become a go-to-guy for him. I’m not necessarily a terrific self-promoter, so not many people know about my acting school and my services, but over time that will change.
Please tell us about your business.
Atlanta Actors Academy is me sharing what I know with actors, younger and older, who value the thoughts of an actor who has been working in the business for a long time, focusing mainly on the audition. What gets you noticed? What sets you apart from the rest? I’ve had so many roles that originally weren’t written for ME, or MY TYPE, but I went and took them by doing things differently from the herd and showing the powers that be why they had to go with me. That’s not coming from a place of cockiness or arrogance. I just know how to look at material differently, to explore it, to play with it. I work hard at it and I work hard at sharing this type of thinking with my students. By the way, my students are also my teachers, because actors always learn from each other in the way one way or another.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Faith in God and myself. Belief in giving everything to every day. The love and support of my wife, through the ups and downs, the love of my family and my friends. Knowing that the more people I meet in this business here in Atlanta, the more we will want to work with each other. My dream connection, as cliché as it may sound to some, is to spend time with Tyler Perry. His story is fascinating and inspirational. To see where he is today, what he has accomplished, and knowing that years ago he lived in his car, as I did for a time, is truly amazing.
Pricing:
- Coachings and/or self-tapings: $50 per hour (introductory pricing)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mattborlenghi.site
- Email: buckomb@gmail.com
- Instagram: mattborlenghi
- Facebook: matt borlenghi
- Twitter: mattieborlenghi
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