Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Gonzalez.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As far back as I can remember, I always loved telling stories, watching movies and making people laugh. Upon graduating from Texas Tech University, where I majored in Theatre, I knew Los Angeles was where I would end up. With a body full of nerves and a very supportive family, I headed west and immediately enrolled in improv classes at The Groundlings and LA Connection Comedy Theatre. That was 2010. Nine years later, having worked countless odd (and often unpaid) jobs, attended hundreds of auditions, and accumulated multiple overdraft fees I count myself among the lucky.
Great, 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?
As smooth as the roads in LA! Without sounding too cheesy, any obstacle that is overcome can be counted as a blessing in hindsight. One of the challenges for me was adjusting to the cost of living. Where I’m from, I’d have my own mansion paying what I pay out here. With a pool. And a pool house. Of course, the inevitable rejection and uncertainty that all actors endure. I wore mine like a badge of honor because I was doing what I always wanted to do. And sure, I’ll still yell at my friends in a crowded bar when I see a role that I auditioned for come on the TV but that’s part of it.
Let’s switch gears and go into the business/career side of things a bit. What else should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
As far as the business of me is considered, if you find yourself at an improv comedy show somewhere in the LA area, odds are I’ll be on stage doing celebrity impressions with a 100% chance I’ll work in Macho Man Randy Savage. And if you’re looking for more family-friendly improv, a small $99 donation to Universal Studios Hollywood will gain you access to the world’s most handsome Raptor Handler answering all of your dinosaur questions just outside the Jurassic World Ride. Sorry, Star Lord. While I’ve been trained in short and long form improv, I feel like I have a fondness and preference for short form. It allows me to go for the lowest hanging fruit. Some audiences appreciate that…and when they don’t, they let us know. Especially on the first Friday of every month with Comedy Mashup at The Main in Newhall.
Now, if you’re more of a horror fan, you should meet my alter-ego, Raul El Ghoul. The ideation behind this Latino creature feature ghost host original character is inspired by my love of comedy and horror.
Most recently, you can see me on TV speaking in a high pitched, helium-induced voice for State Farm Insurance-beware the “Fender Bender.”
Like what you hear? Good. Bring your kids down to Gary Spatz’s The Playground in Century City where I teach acting classes on the weekends.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
This one is a no brainer. For context, you should know I come from a small town in south Texas where not a lot of people venture out to pursue a career in the arts. I grew up on my family’s ranch and while I’m eternally grateful, I knew that wasn’t the career path I’d choose. While movies would suggest that my parents would see my ambition as inconceivable, they didn’t. They may have not known the acting business but they supported me the ways they knew how. It was March 14th, 2014, in Las Vegas, where I had my proudest moment. My second Super Bowl commercial was airing at the time and my parents were beaming with pride everywhere we went. We stopped at a bar in one of the hotels and while we were there, my commercial came on the TV. My father looked up and pointed at it and announced, “that’s my son!” My mother gave me a huge hug as the patrons started to take notice. What followed next was my very first fan encounter as a lady came up to me and asked for a picture. As we left the hotel, with tears in my eyes, I looked at my parents and knew every obstacle was worth it for that moment.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannygo16
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dannyrgonzalez
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dannygo16
- Other: youtube.com/dannygo16
Image Credit:
Robb Dickehut, Scout Fontaine, Caitlin Rickard
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