Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Wegner.
Hi Amber, 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 was born and raised in Sacramento, California. I went to a Visual and Performing Arts High School where I studied dance. While in high school, I got a job working as an usher at The B Street Theatre, owned by Emmy Award-Winning Actor Timothy Busfield. (Thirty Something/Field Of Dreams) At the same time, I got my first acting job working at Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre called, Suspects.
From ages 8-18, I also dabbled in modeling. I remember my mom taking me to New York at the age of 15 to participate at The International Modeling and Talent Association Competition. New York was so scary to me coming from Sacramento. I returned again at the age of 18 and I absolutely loved it!
I ended up switching gears having a very successful career in Restaurant and Hotel Management. At the age of 27, I woke up very unhappy but couldn’t quite put my finger on why. I realized that I knew how to make money, what I didn’t know how to do was stop. I had been working multiple jobs since the age of 14 and I hit a wall.
I made a temporary move to Maui. It was there that I read the book, The Artist’s Way. This book changed my life. Within two days of finishing the book, I had purchased a one way ticket to Los Angeles to pursue a career as an actor.
I moved to LA on July 4th, 2004. I met my husband 20 days later. From 2004 – 2007, I pounded the pavement, went to classes, did a lot of Non Union Background jobs, shot a few commercials then hit a lot of dead ends. On 7-7-7, my husband and I were married. It was on our honeymoon that I decided that I had given it three years and I wasn’t where I wanted to be as an actor so I went back to work in hospitality.
SusieCakes Bakery had just opened their first location in Brentwood, CA. In 2007, I began working as their General Manager. I stayed with SusieCakes until 2013. While I was working full time, I was also going to acting and dance classes in the evenings and weekends all while being a wife and stepmom. Again, I hit a wall. I also got sober.
I explained to my husband that I didn’t move to LA to work in the hospitality industry again. Even though I didn’t get as far as I wanted to the first time around, there was still something calling me back to acting.
In 2014, I joined SAG-AFTRA. Since then, I have worked in film, television and commercials. In 2016, I partnered with Ritchie and Malou Greer at Magic Arrow Films. Together, we produced an award-winning feature film titled, Underdog. We also produced short films and music videos, all directed by Ritchie Greer.
In 2019 I left Magic Arrow Films to focus solely on my acting career. Ritchie later cast me in his feature film, Weekend Warriors where I had the opportunity to work opposite Corbin Bernsen and two very talented young actors, Jack Gross and Juliet Rusche.
Since then, I have worked on multiple projects in various roles. In April 2021 I won, Best Supporting Actress at the Milan Independent Film Festival for my role in, We Stand With You, produced by K Factor Films and directed by an extremely talented director, Niki Koss. Niki won Female Filmmaker of the Year at the 2019 Burbank International Film Festival. She is a member of Women in Media, Women in Film, Glass Elevator and the Alliance of Women Directors as well as a Sundance Directing Fellowship and WIF Producing Mentorship alumni. Niki was recently included in the entertainment list of Forbes 30 Under 30, 2021.
Hard work, determination, tenacity, the love of acting and storytelling along with the love and support of my husband Paul, are the winning factors that have gotten me to where I am today. I am also very grateful to my agent, Jeff Wolfman at FRP Talent for believing in me. I know this for sure, the best is yet to come!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No! It has not been a smooth road. It has been bumpy as all hell, but it’s all been worth it. The struggles I have dealt with have had less to do with the business and more with my own “Enoughness” as my colleague, Bonnie Gillespie would say. I spent so many years waiting to be invited to the table. I finally realized that I needed to stop waiting for an invitation and just pull up a seat! Or as my friend Saki would say, “Don’t wait for a seat, just build your own table” And that’s really what it comes down to. There are so many actors in this town that if we are constantly waiting to be picked, we may be waiting for a very long time. At some point, you have to start creating your own content. We all have a story inside of us, the question is, to you have the courage to tell it?
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actor. I work mostly in film and am looking forward to moving into television. I am so proud to have been directed by the talented and iconic director Ava DuVernay in Disney’s, A Wrinkle In Time. I was hired to be a Camazot’s Woman in the film as well as stand in for the actress, Bellamy Young. Doing that film landed me my first picture in People Magazine. You just never know what an acting job will lead to! That was so exciting!
Before I joined the union, I was hired to play a school teacher in Pineapple Express directed by Judd Apatow. This was one of my first featured spots in a major feature film. I remember being nervous so I kept playing with the kids and Judd having to come over and tell me to face the camera. He was like, this is your scene, find the camera, stop playing with the kids. I can’t wait to share that story with him the next opportunity I get to meet him.
What I am most proud of is my relationship with God. Without that, none of this would be possible. I am also very proud of my 17 year relationship with my Husband Paul. His love and support along this journey has been a key component to my strong foundation as an actor. In addition, I am also very proud of winning Best Supporting Actress at The Milan Independent Film Festival for my role in, We Stand With You. It’s a beautiful film about women’s rights.
What I believe sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I am up between 5-6am and I hit the pavement running. I am always willing to collaborate with actors and filmmakers. I exercise and meditate daily, I put myself on tape daily, I read for other actors, I attend casting workshops, I listen to business and acting podcasts. I have a business coach and I attend multiple acting classes. I get coaching for my auditions. I take my craft very seriously.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
People are often surprised when they learn that I have multiple tattoos. Most people don’t know that I dropped out of high school in the 10th grade.
I also get a bit of a shocked look when I tell people that I have three grandkids, one of which is a sophomore in high school.
Another fun fact is that it’s been over eight years since I’ve had a cocktail. I attribute 100% of my success to being sober.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: imdb.me/amberwegner
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberwegner777/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amber.wegner.7
- Twitter: @amberwegner777
- Other: https://shoutoutla.com/meet-amber-wegner-actor-writer-producer/
Image Credits
Paul Smith Photography for the Main Photo Photo Credits to Jack Gross, Juliet Rusche and Corbin Bernsen in the family photo
