Daily Inspiration: Meet Douglas S. Matthews

Today we’d like to introduce you to Douglas S. Matthews.

Hi Douglas, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started by taking a leap of faith… Originally, I was born in Los Angeles for the first eight years of my life. The neighborhood my family and I were living at the time wasn’t safe. My mom being a single mother raising two boys in the hood, my mother wanted the best for my brother and I. She did everything in her power to avoid the risk of us interacting with the wrong type of crowd, which could have easily led us down the wrong path towards violence, chaos, and gangs. So, she decided to relocate the entire family up north where she grew up, “The Monterey Peninsula.”

In my early preteen years, I was introduced to the Theatre. In the beginning, I wasn’t a fan at all, I thought the kids were weird and the class was a waste of time. However, performing in countless school and local plays throughout the years initiated a thought, can I do this full time? Is there actually a possible career for me in this line of work? If I’m being honest, performing as a background actor my sophomore year in high school for a “Motion Picture Film” confirmed “Acting” was a profession I became curious and serious about pursuing. It was later on, I learned about “Hollywood” which translated to “Show Business”. If I wanted to be taken seriously and actually have a chance of making an honest living portraying the lives of fictional and non-fictional characters, I will not only be taken a huge risk, I will also be taking a leap of faith relocating to Los Angeles. In August of 2008, is when my journey began.

I remember my first week in LA driving down the 110 thinking out loud to myself “you’re back, you’ve done it, now it’s time to do the work.” In the beginning things were actually moving pretty steady for me. Not even two months in, my first audition was for a Pilot “Jacque Edmonds Coffer” had wrote, created, and produced. Followed by a handful of gigs, a non-union commercial, and non-union films. I thought I was on top of the world until I wasn’t. Lol. Then reality struck…the pain, the disappointments, the discouragements, the rejections, simply explained, how life can be. However, looking back I ask myself, was it challenging? Absolutely. However without experiencing the unfortunate events of sadness, pain, struggles, loss, and rejection I endured over the years, I wouldn’t be the Artist or the Man I have become today. Fortunate and unfortunate life events have allowed me to become more still, more vulnerable, present, and honest in my work.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? yes and no…I was able to transfer with my job upon relocating to LA. I had a roof over my head, I had a car that ran and got me from point A to point B, which allowed me to study and pick up a second job to support myself financially. Not to mention, I was able to find on-camera representation pretty quick amongst my arrival. Then, on the other hand not being able to find theatrical representation prevented me from having the opportunity to audition for Film/TV like everyone else. Early on I remember always hearing the words YOU’RE in conflict or YOU don’t have the credits, or are you currently in class? Since then, the common question has now become, how many followers do you have? That’s a story for another time.

Aside from building my career, life happens, people parish, hearts get broken, a common ground we have no control over. At times, I remember feeling nonexistent to society which really sucked. I remember asking myself, “how did I get here? This cannot be the finale to my story or my dreams.” The “worse” heartbreak I’ve endured was losing my older brother, which I’m still sadden over to this day. Losing my other half has become a constant reminder to being better at checking in with my love one’s. To all my loved ones who’s reading this, I love you. To all my readers who’s reading this, who at times doesn’t feel seen or heard, I love you too.

Then, there’s your common problems, you know, car trouble, losing a job, not having any money, getting dumped, worrying about the rent, and the list goes on. I believe the biggest struggle for me was knowing and understanding who I am, and why I began this journey in the first place, while navigating in this unpredictable world of LIFE.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an Actor and Voiceover artist. I specialize in Film, Tv, Stage, and Voiceover. I’m probably best known from a film called “Deadlock” where I played one of the leading roles “Tommy Blaylock”.
I’m most proud of not quitting, blocking out the noise and hanging in there. A wise man once told me, stay on the saddle.
Not taking “NO” for an answer, continue taking risk. What sets me apart from others? My drive, my dedication, my perseverance, my grind. One thing I know, I won’t be outworked, not by anyone.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I really don’t believe in Luck. I believe in GOD, and whatever GOD has for me, has already been written for me. With that being said, it’s up to me to get up every morning and go at it full throttle, no matter how tired, exhausted or uncertain I may be feeling. Over the years I’ve learned to trust in the process, shut my mouth, keep my head down, stay on course, and go get it. Instead of calling it luck, I’ll call it being ready/prepared for when opportunity arises and presents itself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @douglassheltonmatthews