Check Out Benjamin Hardy’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Hardy

Hi Benjamin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Virginia native but I moved north after high school to attend the University of Connecticut where I took as many film classes as I could; it was there that I wrote my first script. I might even try to film that one some day! I finished my undergrad work at Principia College outside St. Louis where I created independent-study film classes which was pretty awesome. New England called to me again so I spent four years in radio in Boston before I got tired of ice and snow. It was time to get serious about a film career and that meant driving my old Audi 4000 to Los Angeles in 1991.

I did a little bit of everything in the first four years. I temped in the mailroom at ICM, volunteered as a PA on various short films and got my first acting gig (actually singing!) in a USC student film in 1993. I had no interest in acting at the time. After losing my first steady job at a bank while attending USC’s Marshall School of Business, I dived into my studies full time and finished with an MBA in 1999. I got a job at VFX powerhouse Rhythm & Hues in 2003 and stayed until the company collapsed in 2013.

I became an actor by accident but it was one of those things I think was meant to be. A lot of actors hate doing background work but I enjoyed it enough to do it more than 350 times. I met a lot of great people and worked on some cool projects. It led me to SAG-AFTRA and to my first paid principal gig as Phil, the Rochester Hit, on HBO’s ‘Barry.’ The pandemic and the actors strike slowed things down but I’m still very much in it and auditioning, thanks to my agent, Joaquin Sahagun at Avail Talent. I had a nice part in an indie feature that is on the festival circuit (and Amazon) called ‘Inside the Box.’

I wasn’t done writing and I’m still not. I went to UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and got a certificate in screenwriting. I recently wrote and directed a short called ‘The Lakeside Ripper’ that I’m submitting to festivals. I co-wrote and co-starred in another short called ‘Interference’ also going into festivals.

I’m about to celebrate 10 years as a student at About the Work Actors Studio on Vermont Ave. where I’ve studied with Murisa Harba and Savannah Schoenecker. When I have time I take classes at Rogue Improv LA. I’m also a Second City grad and I’ve taken classes at UCB. I have more projects in the pipeline as an actor and as a writer so I’m excited about all that.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I pretty much lived in my car when I first arrived in LA. I actually had roaches in my car. Ugh.

My experience is similar to a lot of creatives in that we struggle to find side gigs that allow us to pursue our dreams but that don’t burn us out. I’ve been broke and in debt more than once and it’s hard to dig out of. The temptation to give it up and settle for something comfortable was there for me for a long time. I was fortunate in that I’ve found jobs I enjoyed that also gave me freedom to pursue my creative outlets but it took a long time to get there. The 1990’s were pretty horrible in general. It’s hard to let go of a job or situation you hate when you’re barely hanging on. I’m grateful for my support network but also for debt counseling back in the day. Most of the actors and writers I’ve met in my life are doing something else now and I totally get why.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Actors have so many choices when it comes to picking a focus. I’ve taken classes and workshops in mocap, audio book narration, improv, clowning, hosting, stand-up, and many others. I want to do it all! At the same time, I don’t want to spread myself (and my checking account) too thin.

After I discovered a love of improv, it made sense to keep doing it but I think it’s also important to try as many things as possible. It’s also important for me to keep pushing myself. Studying at Shakespeare at RADA in London in 2023 got me way out of my comfort zone, kind of like improv did when I worked up the courage to try it back in 2013.

I guess the thing that sets me apart is tenacity. I’ve been on hundreds of auditions and I’ve booked just a fraction of those roles. I’m most proud that I’m still here and still excited about it. It makes me sad when I stumble across an friend’s IMDb page and notice the pictures are gone, the representation tab is blank and the last role was a while ago. I can’t imagine getting to that point.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
The first thing that pops into my mind is a play I conceived and put up in my basement starring my neighborhood friends. I must have been around 8 years old but I created all the props and sets with help from my siblings and parents. It was about a Martian invasion that I manage to thwart by shooting the lead Martian with a cap gun. I taped a thumbtack to the palm of his hand so that when he grabbed his stomach, the water balloon under his green t-shirt would pop and he would expire. He had to slap himself several times for it to work so it was more comedic than dramatic but it was still satisfying.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.me/benjaminhardy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminhillhardyiv/

 

Image Credits
Allison Bacis