Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Delate
Brian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in eastern PA. Had learning issues and barely finished high school. I was drafted into the army in 1968 and went to Vietnam for a year in 1969. I was a decorated non commissioned officer. The experience in the war was either terrifying or boring. I came home forever changed. Behaved badly for the year back. I decided to try community college. Learned to really read, which changed everything and I excelled. I discovered theatre which changed my life again. I finished at Rider University with a degree in theatre arts. Moved to New York City and eventually carved out a colorful career in theatre film and TV. Fast forward to 9/11, where I was under the first plane that hit the WorldTrade Center. PTSD was at the door, and my war experience was forcing its way out. Veteran recovery followed. A divine convergence took place when I took my vet issues to the Actors Studio and developed 2 theatre pieces addressing the veteran issues of PTSD and suicide ideation. The latest is Guardian Angels, which reveals the Angels that impact our lives here and beyond. Guardian Angels is a merging of PTSD combined with a spiritual awakening in the form of an angelic visit that took place in my third year of college. It just took 50 years for me to put it into my work. A film of the play is close to completion.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road, but definitely an adventure.
After Vietnam I was destructive and surrounded myself with too many x-rated people. Suicide ideation came and went. As I mentioned, college followed and became a kind of monastery for a new normal. New York was a challenge unto itself. I worked in restaurants for four years. I finally had to bite the bullet and go for my dream to become a working actor, which led to writing and more. This is the kid who had a severe reading problem.
The struggles with carving out a career started with not knowing anyone or knowing the landscape. I owe a debt of gratitude to Joseph Papp and the New York Shakespeare Festival. I was cast in both plays in Central Park. I did another four plays there culminating with the hit war drama Tracers, which I did for a year in New York and London. Film, TV and more theatre came on the heels of Tracers. In my personal life, my wife Karen dealt numerous health issues, which she succumbed to in 2016.
Outside of the industry work, I find combining real life with our art form can be a real challenge — having to relive painful war memories and putting them into entertainment. Guardian Angels is such an expression.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My main endeavor over the last forty some years has been acting. I worked with Al Pacino off and on for a couple years in Salome by Oscar Wilde — on Broadway and here in Los Angeles. I loved working in the film The Truman Show. I played Jim Carrey’s father and worked closely with Peter Weir. I’ve worked with other luminaries –The Shawshank Redemption, The Brave One, The Law & Order shows and more.
At present my solo show Guardian Angels has my heart and soul. I feel what sets me apart with the industry is my background as a combat veteran and an artist. I should mention the other play I wrote and performed — Memorial Day, was presented here in LA at the ROAD Theatre, in NY as well as in Hanoi, Vietnam. Lastly, I’ve been honored to be a lifetime member of the Actors Studio and continue to serve on its Board of Directors. Both Memorial Day and Guardian Angels were developed there.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As far as the future goes, I have three screenplays and an eight episode series I’ve written. Dante’s Obsession, which takes audiences into the intimate warfare of the underground tunnels at the height of the Vietnam war.
U.S.– Unknown Soldiers — is an 8 episode series of stand-alone episodes, dealing with the coming home and restoration from war.
And Memorial Day — based on the play. This is the film script for animation and film.
They all deal with war and it’s aftermath. As well as the suicide problems with our vets. This may sound bleak, but I’ve in infused all of these projects with optimism and hope.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: brian.delate.1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.delate.1?mibextid=ZbWKwL
