Conversations with CAM MONTGOMERY JR

Today we’d like to introduce you to CAM MONTGOMERY JR.

Hi CAM, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After graduating from college in Indiana, I moved to New York City where I was determined to become a star! Four months after my arrival, my first theatrical performance was at Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem. I performed an original monologue. The act just before me was a singer who was mercilessly booed off the stage. I was petrified as I heard the host announce my name. However, before I even said a word, the over-the-top mannerisms of the character I was performing sent the audience into hysterics. After the first joke, their uproarious laughter let me know I was in total control. After walking off the stage, I was approached by a producer who told me that I should perform my monologue on their television show, It’s Showtime at the Apollo. I thought, wow, I’m off to a great start in The Big Apple. Shortly thereafter, I did the TV show and finished in first place!!! Now, I was really cooking.

It’s Showtime at the Apollo was covered by an AFTRA contract, so it was the beginning of me earning credit to join the union. I eventually began working as a background actor on the daytime soap opera, One Life To Live, which enabled me to finally join AFTRA. I was thrilled. Despite these inroads into stardom, I didn’t earn enough money from acting to pay the bills, so my “real” job was selling women’s clothing at Macy’s Herald Square. I worked that job for far too many years, until I could no longer bear going another day. So, after my scheduled week-long vacation, I never returned. Show business wasn’t paying the bills, so I wound up becoming a cater-waiter with the high-end catering companies: Glorious Food and Tentatión Catering. I worked with those companies until I packed up and moved to Los Angeles in 2000. Episodic television and film stardom were my new goals. Or so I told myself.

Well, my welcome to Hollywood saw me working again as a cater-waiter. Surprise, surprise! Like in NYC, I went to work for high-end companies: Patina and Wolfgang Puck Catering. Those companies put me in the homes of many a mover and shaker. But to them, I was a waiter. Or, if I’m totally honest—invisible. It took a couple of years before I booked background and under-five (U/5) work on Days of our Lives which eventually earned me enough credits to join SAG.

Since my arrival to La La Land in 2000, I have worked as a cater-waiter, actor (principal, background & stand-in), contributing writer to the web series, Front Seat Chronicles, electronic convention host (Disney), Sequester Manager on Big Brother reality show, voiceover artist, print model and interestingly enough—a talent manager. Whew! Besides the talent managing and cater-waitering, even today I’m liable to do every other job listed should an offer come my way.

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?
The road hasn’t been smooth. Like most aspiring and seasoned performers in this town, earning enough money to live comfortably is a challenge. I’m not talking about buying a house in Bel Air. I’m simply talking about paying rent, car payments, car insurance, health insurance and groceries! You know, the basics for California living. What has worked in my favor though is my attitude. I do truly believe that EVERYTHING ultimately works in my favor. Even when days, nights and my bank accounts look bleak, I solemnly believe brighter days are on the horizon. In fact, if my money is right, everything’s right in my life; because my mental and physical health have always been well-tended to. It’s just the money that’s sometimes shaky.

Since I’ve all but eliminated an ego, working background gigs after all these years doesn’t bother me in the least. Whether I say a hundred lines, five lines or no lines, as long as my contract is SAG-AFTRA, I’m good!!! I’ll admit though that my “no ego” mindset is relatively new because for years and years, I never filed for unemployment benefits like most actors do because I thought those benefits were for “much needier” people. Can you believe how stupid I was? Heck, I have most certainly corrected my idiotic ways!!! The California Employment Development Department (EDD) now knows me well.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently work as an actor in commercials, low-budget films and short films. I also perform as a stand-in on commercials, TV and film. Print modeling has been a godsend of late. And whenever I book a voiceover job, I’m over the moon. Because I love voiceover work so much, I have become a YouTube Partner and feature YouTube shorts on my channel that showcase my voiceover talent as I read favorite quotes and poetry.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I have found that what keeps me in great spirits more often than not is possessing gratitude for who I am and where I am at this very moment. Not comparing myself to others. And treating everybody I encounter the way I want to be treated.

Nobody has to EARN my respect. They receive it immediately—simply because they exist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iamcamjr.blogspot.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montgomerycamjr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cam.j.montgomery
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cam-montgomery-jr-a195a723/?isSelfProfile=true
• Twitter: https://x.com/iAMcamJR
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@montgomerycamjr

Image Credits
Headshots by Jeremy David Creative
Candid shots by Cam Montgomery Jr