Today we’d like to introduce you to Roy Coulter.
Hi Roy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Germany to an American father who was serving with the Air Force, so you can say that I’m a “brat”. A half-German “brat’ a that! Mother is German by the way. My love of acting came about while in high school during the drama classes that I was involuntarily moved to because I was performing so poorly in my other electives. Administrators figured since I loved to “act” up in class, then that’s where I should be!
After I graduated from high school in 1984, I enlisted with the Air Force. During one of my many stops along my 21-year career, I ended up in the United Kingdom; great assignment and experience. I was directed to the Stage Coach Theatre by a college instructor who gave me some insight about improv and stage presence. I was totally intrigued by it! After a week-long of instruction, my love of acting and performing came back! Something I thought was long gone since graduating high school.
Once I retired from the Air Force in 2006, I now had the time to learn the craft and work on as many projects as I could possibly land. My first project was as an extra on the feature film We Are Marshall. For three nights, I worked on this film; learning, watching, and understanding all the details that goes on during filming. I was amazed! But more than that…I was anxious to dig deeper with becoming an actor! The stage door was opened; I just needed to walk through it.
Since that moment, I’ve been fortunate to work on several television shows, and independent short and feature films, as well as performing at some historic venues on stage. My journey is still a long way off, but I’m happy to be a part of something I enjoy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Shaking my head with this one… LOL. The road has certainly been filled with potholes, debris, and stones. Let me explain. There are a lot of travelers on the road. Everyone has a certain direction and route they are trying to navigate. Some people get in your way, while others just don’t pay attention to you and leave you in the dust, sorta speaking. So how do you fix that? Your car is like your body. You need fuel. You need tune-ups. You need a complete makeover to stand up against the rigorous roads that an actor will take. The potholes represent unpleasant experiences one may encounter. Such as reporting to set and the logistics are not in place.
Early call times, but sitting around for hours waiting to perform. Actors who show up late or they are not prepared to work the scene. This can definitely impact the chemistry needed between you and another actor! Debris… trash…. rubbish; this all has to do with HOW I perform. Yes, I’m concerned with the others on their performance, but if I deliver junk, thank I’m failing everyone around me. I have to ensure that I give the best performance I can deliver and let production decide if I’m the right fit for their project. Fuel is simply the material that I need to run on. Acting classes, seminars, training….all of these are needed to stay on that road if I want to stay with the traffic.
Lastly, stones… You’d be surprised on how they seem to emerge from someone’s pocket when things are going well, or not so well. They are easy to throw. I’ve felt those stones, not so much physically, but in my spirit by others who ask the question, “Him? Why him??” I know what I need to do and how to keep focused by looking straight ahead. That’s why the front windshield is so much bigger than looking through my rearview mirror. I still have a long way to go, but I’m thankful and honored to be on this journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Being a part of a team is big for me. I guess that’s the one area of my life that I can honestly say makes me feel grounded. For instance; it started with playing youth sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball. I learned at an early age that it’s not just about me. You depend on others to make you feel successful. In my mind, I can do everything right, but if I don’t have a team around me to validate that, than how do I know I did everything right? One of my greatest achievements was earning Eagle Scout while with the Boy Scouts for four years. This was a great example of depending on others to achieve my goal.
I continued to play sports in high school, as well as participate in Air Force JROTC for all four years, earning the rank of cadet Lt. Col as the squadron’s Wing Commander. As mentioned earlier, I enlisted in the Air Force as a Security Police, later called Security Forces, and had a successful career serving 21 years wearing our nation’s uniform. I worked alongside many personnel who put our lives on the line for each other every day.
While in the Air Force, I picked a new craft to tackle; sports officiating. I got my start officiating/refereeing basketball and flag football in 1988. I’ve continued wearing the black and white strips as a football official that just ended my 35th season. From flag football to youth ball, to high school and college… I’ve been part of a phenomenal group of people who enjoy the game and love giving back. I’m very proud of the people I’ve called “my team” who have shared my life with me. That also includes my family!! There has been no larger cheerleaders than my wife and children.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Is it luck or faith? Maybe a bit of both, huh?! LOL. I know I can’t speak on behalf of everyone and their beliefs, but for me personally, I have to thank God for what I have and achieved, both in my personal life and my acting career. I guess as far as being lucky… most of the time it’s because I’ve been on a set and someone from the production team recommended me for another project. Or, I’ve worked with other fellow actors who thought about me and called me while sitting at home to see if I would be interested with a particular role. Too me… that’s being lucky! I’ve read some scripts/sides that I really wanted to land that role and be a part of that project… prayed hard about it, and submitted my audition tape only to not be selected. On the other hand, I submitted auditions that I felt I didn’t deliver the way it needed it to be, and was picked! So, it goes both ways. But it certainly helps to receive divine intervention!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://roycoulter.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roycoulter65/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roy.coulter.54
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rgcoulter1
- Other: imdb.me/roycoulter
Image Credits
Shenaniguns Comedy Wild West Show-Six Flags Over GA Kalimba-Short Film by rpxmedia production
