Today we’d like to introduce you to Darryl Dillard
Hi Darryl, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From an early age, I was performing. But it was just for fun. All I ever wanted and thought I would be was a football player. I was playing pickup games with kids older than me when I was 7. I did school plays early on but it never crossed my mind that I could do that for a living.
As I got older, and the injuries began to mount(6 concussions, broken tailbone, fractured kneecap, and torn ACL, MCL, and Cartilage …all before leaving high school), doubt and depression began to build. After knee surgery my senior year, I had to take something other than gym. Intro to acting was my choice…partly because it was something I had fun doing, and it came easy to me…not to mention it seemed like an easy A.
I enjoyed that class so much, and made some great friends. So much so, that 3 of us were tasked with coming up with an idea for the senior show. We wrote a play around 3 friends buying an old theater, and dreaming about all the shows they were going to put on. We did numbers from all the popular musicals of the time( 1985 so pippin, Oklahoma, fame, etc..).
BUT, that burning desire to keep playing football, against EVERYONE’S advice(doctors, friends, and family), I went to the college summer workout program for football and Salisbury University. During the 2nd week, while doing squats, my knee buckled under the weight, and I had to be helped to the Dr.
After finally accepting my football fate, I returned to acting.
The joy of acting had never left me, but I had no idea about the business side of show business. I had to learn as I went, and boy did I. I think I fell for almost all the scams out there…. all the predatory scam artist. From bad headshots to shady agents to bad advice from people who claimed to be professional working actors.
Thru it all, I was able to find the right people to help me. Great agents, the best coaches, and wonderful agents, all willing and happy to help me along the way.
I learned to just keep working so that you are ready when it’s your time.
This business is tough. You will shine in the spotlight only if you have done all the work in the wings to get there.
I am blessed to have had great teachers and friends that help me to shine when opportunities have come.
Alright, 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?
Absolutely not. But then again, life is never a smooth road is it?!
I think a struggle for me, and I’m sure most artists can relate, was convincing family that this is a legit career choice.
Then, the next huge hurdle is the amount of rejection that comes with this career. Mostly thru no fault of your own.
There are a million reasons you don’t get a roll, none of which you will ever know.
Another obstacle is trying to find something you can do to make money and pay bills while pursuing your dream. It has to pay all the bills, and yet be flexible enough to allow you to take time off for auditions and bookings. I can’t tell you how many jobs I lost because it came down to an ultimatum and I chose my dream. Because of that, being able to eat and have an apt, becomes a real struggle.
More recently, I had a period in 2020 where I had my apartment burn down and lost everything, and had to live in a hotel for a couple months: got a new place and then got COVID(before the vaccine), that turned into pneumonia, and am still on meds for it today. During all of that, I was doing a film project, and was never more grateful to be on set in my life.
Following your dreams is not for the faint of heart. If this is truly what you want to do, you will be tested almost daily.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an artist. I’m mainly an actor, but I also write and direct. I have also taught workshops, done private coaching, and am an audition taper at Drama Inc here in atlanta.
I like to think I’m known for being professional, prepared, and flexible. Along with appearances on shows like Ozark, The Resident, Sweet Magnolias, and Will Trent, I have also written and starred in a short film about police brutality, that won several awards in the festival circuit. It was especially rewarding because of the conversations I was able to have on the subject with people that I wouldn’t normally have such an open conversation with.
I also directed a short called Cowboy Joe, written by and starring Jillian Walzer, that also has won awards in the festival circuit. The experience of directing was so much fun for me. It allowed me to use my creative strengths.
Being a director really helped to inform my actor self about the whole picture on set. There have been times on set where I can see what the director is going for or setting up, and I adjust to it before being asked.
I think I’m most proud of being flexible. Every set you go onto is going to be different. There have been times when what you have prepared for gets changed last minute, and you have to adjust on the fly. Whether its line changes, or suddenly working with an animal, or operating a finicky vehicle (all of which has happened), being able to pivot in the moment makes you valuable.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Have the right people around you. This business is hard enough, without having to fight for it with the people around you. Everyone needs a safe space to be able to vent, or cry, or just be able to relax from the rejection and not knowing.
Also, this business is a marathon not a sprint. It takes time to build a good reputation in this business. Casting wants to book talented people they can trust to be able to handle being on set. Being able to perform under high pressure situations is vital to your success. No matter what’s happening around you, can you deliver in the moment?
Lastly, you must have faith in yourself before anyone else will. Believing in yourself is sometimes hard, but it is VITAL for your survival in this business.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @actor3dwest
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarrylLDillard
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@darrylsdiaryoflife
