Today we’d like to introduce you to Merrick McCartha.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Merrick discovered his talent for performing arts in elementary school when a teacher asked him to go up in front of the class and improvise a situation. Never trained in improv, a petrified young Merrick went up, and the entire class was in tears laughing and cheering by the end. This spark continued through high school at the famous Cass Technical High School in Detroit, known to produce famous artists and celebrities including Diana Ross, Lilly Tomlin, Della Reese, Kenya Moore, Ray Parker Jr, and many others still working in arts and entertainment today. Merrick, however, decided to focus more on math and science, since Cass Tech was also known as a great math and science school nationwide. Although he took some performing arts classes, modeled in fashion shows, and was a member of the teen theater troupe, Merrick went on to study engineering at the University of Michigan and later the University of Californian in San Diego. Landing a prized internship at a satellite computer company, Merrick was later offered a position there as a digital design engineer.
An accomplished engineer, it wasn’t until the passing of his beloved mother Beverly, a persistent fan of him pursuing and acting career, did Merrick take stock in life and make the dramatic decision to leave engineering and go after a career that made him feel more engaged with himself, acting. Training with the best teachers in San Diego, Merrick would later take a shot at screen acting when he auditioned for a short film competition called the 48 Hour Film Project. The team, The Amalgamated Grommets, was a first-time competitor and took a chance on giving newcomer Merrick a leading role. The film won multiple awards including the top prize of Best Film for the year. Watching himself for the first time on the big screen, Merrick knew there was no doubt that his mother was correct, this is where he belonged. Merrick began booking local commercials and winning more awards as an actor which encouraged him to seek representation in Los Angeles. The fact that he was starting after age 35 to seek a screen acting career in Hollywood did not phase him. Although, he jovially admits this was due to ignorance of the norms more than anything else. Lots of heartache and struggle would be endured over the next several years, but Merrick refused to give up. Initially commuting from San Diego for his auditions, Merrick was finally getting enough auditions and work to move to Los Angeles and not need a ‘survival job’. Now, Merrick consistently works in commercials and network television. He’s an active member of the prestigious Road Theatre Company in Burbank. He is a voting member of the Television Academy. With all this success, Merrick still makes time to help other actors in need and often visits San Diego to encourage actors new to the business and help them avoid the many mistakes he’d made in his journey.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest struggle I faced was understanding the business of acting in Hollywood. So many people come here with talent and dreams, but often burn out because they don’t know how to conduct themselves in the business. I would say that I’ve made every mistake you can make as a new actor. I set my expectations too high. I didn’t understand how to build relationships with casting directors. I didn’t know how to secure an agent. I didn’t know that auditioning and scene acting are very different. I had to learn all of these the hard way. First by failing, then realizing I failed because I needed more training and guidance. (Many people do NOT do the latter.)
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m an actor. It took me a long time to be able to say that out loud to people when they’d ask what I did for a living. It always seemed ‘pretentious’ I guess. Now, when I’m paying bills, eating dinner, and even buying presents, I know all the money was earned from my acting work and nothing else. Yes, I’m an actor. That’s what I do for a living, and I’m proud of it. I’m not a wealthy celebrity by any means, but I would say that I am successful. I’m lucky. I’m grateful.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For most actors, success means you’re working! Haha! In reality, most actors don’t work very often in acting, and even fewer earn any money doing it. Fewer still are those who are able to earn a living only doing acting work. But for an actor, a true craftsman, success can be as simple as being able to do your craft at peak capability. It is fortunate to be paid to do what I do, but I see success as happening when I achieve my goals. If I had the chance to work with Angela Bassett, or Gary Oldman, for zero dollars, I would absolutely jump at the opportunity to share the same oxygen and learn from these great artists. It would be a success because those are my goals. Honing my craft, working and learning from other brilliant actors to bring out the very best of my craft. Those are goals. Achieving them is a success. It is literally a matter of fortune that this business tends to pay very well when you achieve such goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/MerrickMcCartha
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Headshots by Peggy Warny of HeadshotsByPeggy
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.
