Today we’d like to introduce you to Luca Manganaro.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Italy 37 years ago, with the dream to become an actor and the reality of a disability. I had an incurable illness of movement that made it very hard for me to move around without having huge spasms and convulsions in my limbs. Top neurologists had no clue and stuffed me with medications. All sorts of alternative therapies never worked. Needless to say, my attempts to be a decent actor were never successful. Until, at the age of 22, someone literally convinced me to practice Buddhism and chant the mantra nam-myoho-renge-kyo to heal myself. My body responded immediately to that! My illness got worse for the first two months of chanting, and then it gradually got better until I healed myself in the span of about a year. I was free! Free and without excuses!
Now I could chant to get specific on what my dream was and how big. This led me to New York, where I started studying with Susan Batson, the acting coach of many stars (Nicole Kidman, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, to name a few). I poured my life into that training and not only did I finally become a good actor, but she asked me to become a part of the faculty of her studio! Can you imagine how I felt? I got to teach many working actors over the years. I worked on myself and became a better person through supporting others on a daily basis in and outside my Buddhist practice, always connecting to people and striving to be a good friend. I had the fortune of meeting and marrying the love of my life, Yvonne, and moved to LA with her to raise a family.
Soon after, our daughter Luna arrived. Through the inevitable ups and downs of the acting industry and many stints as a waiter (and grocery shopper, and food deliverer, and food photographer, and so on and so forth), I was able to polish my skills and determination and accumulate incredible credits, being cast in significant roles alongside Susan Sarandon, Ray Liotta, Richard Dreyfuss, Billy Zane Robin, Lord Taylor, Mykel Shannon Jenkins, both on film and tv. I have two movies coming out next year (“Waltzing with Brando” and “The Dark Side”), and I’m also developing a tv pilot as a writer and producer. I still coach actors privately, which gives me utter joy! My clients kept on booking throughout the pandemic, just like I’ve had the fortune of doing. I do believe we should practice what we preach, and when I coach I have the privilege of talking from the standpoint of someone who is applying those concepts successfully in the real world.
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?
Being an immigrant and constantly being reminded of that. That feeling of not belonging here. For years, agents wouldn’t consider representing me because I didn’t have a Green Card. It took ten years to get it, and I’m so grateful to my wife Yvonne for that. Also, having a non-native accent sometimes affects my chances of getting an acting role, and such a thing can put you in a frame of mind where you feel “less than”. BUT! I have my spiritual practice to transform these doubts and negative feelings and never give up! Actually, the pivotal moment when I decided I was never going back to Italy was the night that I was attacked in Harlem, repeatedly punched in the face by a stranger who assaulted me from behind. Luckily, I only got a broken nose out of that and my eyes and ears were ok, despite the shocking appearance of my face. That very moment I decided to stay, turning this obstacle into the foundation of my firm decision to win right here, in this country.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an actor, I’m proud of the vulnerability and eccentricity I can bring to the role. And of the serious preparation that is an integral part of my work ethic. As an acting coach, first and foremost the fact that I deeply care about people and their unique needs and paths. I am all eyes and ears and will help you break through whatever obstacle, whether it is an artistic challenge or simply the lack of a career plan that can help you get where you need to be. Craft-wise, I am specialized in audition technique, script analysis, on-camera acting and improvisation.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mentor Daisaku Ikeda. He has paved the way for a true movement of the people, for the people, and his encouragement helps me to maximize my life. Equally as important, my wife Yvonne, who believes in me and has so much patience! My daughter Luna, my parents Lena and Antonio, my brother Enrico and my mother-in-law Angie, my longtime friends Fede, Giancarlo, Lele and Francesco, who are all part of my most needed support system! My dear friends Tina Alexis Allen and Gina Raphaela, who referred me for this interview! My fellow members in the Buddhist organization SGI, my manager Deborah Dotoli and my voice agent Sam Frishman, my acting mentors Susan Batson and Anthony Abeson, all my teachers and fellow artists in between, those who truly care about each individual, such as Giuseppe Russo, Glenis Hunter, Cristina Serafini, Tomas Bergland, Guillaume Tunzini, Emilio Seri, Gabriele Nardis, Carlo Bosticco, Tom Antonellis and so many more!!! We don’t live in a vacuum, and I owe my accomplishments to all those wonderful people! And thank you Voyage LA for your interest and time, and what you do for the community!
Pricing:
- Acting coach: 120/hr or 400/4hrs
Contact Info:
- Instagram: luca_manganaro
Image Credits
WIlliam Lex Ham (picture where I’m looking to the side and smiling)
