Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Petrone.
Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was fortunate to have a quick start in the industry. I was recruited out of high school by a great agent in the early 90s. A client of the agency attended a performance and personally approached me after the show. I was quickly signed and officially in show business. My first job was on Days of Our Lives. It was, needless to say, very exciting and new. I experienced firsthand what a real working set was like and there was nothing like it. I knew right away that this is where I wanted to be.
However, being so young, I also felt that there were other things that I wanted to experience as well. So, I took a break and headed back east to college in Boston. I loved Boston, still do. But meanwhile trying to pursue different avenues, the film industry was still calling and it seemed to grow stronger with every passing day. I packed up mid-semester and moved back to Los Angeles. Once I returned, I was back with a focus and purpose. I immediately enrolled back in classes with the only acting teacher I’ve ever trusted. He was a working actor and director and he personally knew what it took. He pushed me hard and is really responsible for who I am today as an artist.
I bounced back by booking a two-episode guest star which then lead to many commercials for brands like Honda, Verizon, T-Mobile, Mercedes Benz, and Ford to name a few. I also became the AAMCO Spokesman which provided me with a great deal of exposure and invaluable time on set. After quite literally booking over 100 nationals, I started to dive into more TV and Film. I’ve been fortunate to book tv roles on shows like Euphoria, Scandal, SWAT, The Patient, NCIS, CSI:NY, 24, The Mentalist, Castle, The Unit, and The Last Thing He Told Me. As for Film, I’ve been lucky to work on many great films, most notably 3 films in the last year, including “Palm Trees and Power Lines” which premiered at Sundance in 2022.
Given my experience working alongside so many amazing directors, and phenomenal actors, I have learned a lot about this business, as well as made some mistakes. I came to realize, there was a disconnect between what was being taught and what was required of actors from the audition process to what is expected on set. And that led me to create Actors Ave. An acting studio taught by a working actor, so that any actor of any level could learn how to become a successful actor. Just like my acting teacher, I strive to be honest and supportive with my actors, but also tough because ultimately, this is a hard business to break into.
I’m glad I came back to acting. I don’t regret it. This is where I’m supposed to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say smooth. A couple of detours along the way, but they all taught me a lot. As I said, I signed with a great agent right out of high school. I worked hard and booked my first job on network tv. Within that time I felt I wanted to explore other things and that acting would always be here for me. So my decision to go to college changed the course of my career a bit. Right out of high school, I have to admit, the industry was easier, a young face with talent opened doors more favorably. I had no idea it would not always be that way.
When I got back from Boston, I knocked on all the same doors and then some. It was exponentially harder for me to get back to where I was. I was told my look had changed. I was no longer quite as young. My skills were a bit rusty from not training regularly, and all the contacts and friends I had were all busy working and their careers had blown up. Even my first agent was no longer willing to work with me because my look had changed, although I did not agree. It had only been a couple of years. As a result, I was starting from scratch again.
I pounded the pavement and scrapped for any agent. I cycled through two or three and then found one. Right about this time, I began hitting a nice rhythm. The hard work was paying off. So naturally, I decided this time was as good as any to have children. It’s been one of the greatest things to ever happen to me but obviously forced me to shift focus. Therefore, putting a bit of a halt to my career again. But I’ve been lucky to continue working here and there, and now that they are much older, I’ve been able to fully focus on my career. Timing is everything, and I believe everything happens for a reason.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Actors Ave?
At Actors Ave, we specialize in camera techniques for television, commercial, and film. Our technique redefines the skills needed for the industry today. We provide actors with the information and training needed to build a successful career in film and television. I think there are many factors that set us apart from other acting schools, but the biggest highlight is easily the amount of work we get done every class, all of which is filmed and reviewed. My actors are able to retain lines, develop characters and take redirection like true professionals. We don’t spend weeks on one scene. For example, in our intensives, each actor works 2-4 times on different scenes, and that encompasses a variety of different skills and all the scenes are given during that class. The intention behind this level of intense training is meant to mirror working on set. Lines and directions change all the time on set. Therefore training at set level, if you will, leaves the actor prepared for anything.
We offer weekly ongoing Intensives, one-on-one coaching, co-star workshops, commercial workshops, and improv workshops.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think most people would be surprised to know that I spent some time as an MMA fighter. I won the inaugural Cage Wars Superfight Championship in Portsmouth England, in 2002. I was featured in Grappling magazine and still coach MMA fighters today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.actorsave.com
- Instagram: @actorsave @themikepetrone
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2072151/
Image Credits
PICTURES ARE 1-8 1. top left-The Mentalist 2. top right- 24 3. 2nd down on left-Swat 4. 2nd down on right-NCIS 5.3rd down on left- ANGIE’S CURE 6. 3rd down on right-CASTLE 7.4th down on left-Days of Our Lives 8. 4th down on right- HUGHESNET COMMERCIAL
