Today we’d like to introduce you to Dario Lee.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2003, I was charged with a crime I didn’t commit in a result of losing five basketball scholarships. I was at work at the time of the crime. I was facing 87 years in prison and that was cut in half. After 1 1/2 years of jail and pretrials, I was found not guilty; but that wasn’t it. I was initially charged for the crime and that charge was placed on my criminal history. I was charged for a robbery, which in fact rather you did the crime or not lead to suspicion for employers when I sought out for employment. I could not gain proper employment freely with the charge of robbery on my criminal background. I went through this ordeal for ten years. In 2011, I was denied a temporary job and that was the last straw for me. I had five dollars in my pocket and I found a rideshare to L.A. and I found a gig on craigslist about NBA All-star game needing stand-ins. I was hired and I found out about an audition tryout for a Buick commercial. I auditioned and was picked. I was the principal actor for a global/national commercial for Buick and the NCAA. I was also given eligibility to join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). For me, I looked at it as a new start in life.
Even though I was an athlete, I didn’t know what SAG was or never heard of it. I was determined to learn what I could about it and becoming an Actor. I took ten years and grew my knowledge on the entertainment business and resume. Worked on 200 plus TV, Film and commercials. I was blessed to work with the likes of Ava Duvernay, Tommy Lee Wallace, Charles Stone III, Benny Boom and even the late great John Singleton on Snowfall. I won a Telly Award for the Buick national commercial and been in Emmy nominated TV shows. I also worked on the TV show Dark Web which was nominated for seven daytime Emmy awards and we won an Emmy. Developing my characteristics and studied in Acting. I officially finally joined the Screen Actors Guild and is a obliged member. I am currently on a Netflix television series “Cypher” which is number 2 in South Africa. I now started a self-tape, photography & monologue service throughout this COVID situation to help other actors and actress pursue their careers by giving back. I give all my praise and acknowledgment to my Lord and Savior Yeshua (Jesus) Christ. Hopefully, this story would inspire you to never give up, even when the odds is stacked against you! Love. peace and blessings!
Has it been a smooth road?
I had a few episodes that had bad apples in the film industry yet I never focused on them as much as they love power; I knew my God has all power. I had been also a victim of employment racism. I also did not focus on it but kept it pushing.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
In this journey as an actor, I was able to learn about sets and what to do on camera and offset as a professional. What I do at TIG is teach Actors how to act on set, how to take professional headshots, how to properly perform a monologue with confidence and become skilled in the different acting techniques.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe the film industry will be the new sought out job industry. With the film industry being shut down due to COVID executives and writers are going through what I’ve been through most my entire life as a creator and that’s having time to create. Most are writing the next blockbuster films and not only in the film and entertainment industry; I believe their is the next Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos out there creating a new invention and it’s going to require advertisement, which means Actors will need to be involved to promote this new company or idea. The job market once the door open back up for the film industry will be swamped with creators and the concept of creativity will not be frowned upon or looked to as weird anymore because of original content. That will make our economy settle out and provide more jobs. That’s why as an Actor you’d need to be prepared to go on set for these on camera jobs and this is what “TIG” Media House is for.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DarioLee.me
- Phone: 3104036804
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @leedario
- Twitter: @DarioANTLee
Image Credit:
Hal Bergman, MoorVision and Poor Megz
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
