Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Torres.
Toni, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Cleveland Ohio, Both my parents struggled intensely with drugs and alcohol, s I grew up fast and mostly playing a parent to myself. I didn’t do well in school; I was dyslexic and deeply troubled. I eventually joined the Air Force as an escape. There I was a Medic and worked mostly in Intensive Care. It was a hard job I was dealing with a lot of death while still recovering from my own trauma.
When my four years were up, I decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Acting. I thought I owed it to myself to enjoy and explore life. I quickly booked a plat about War called ‘Embedded’ at ‘The Actors’ Gang.’ We went on tour across the United States, Off-Broadway at ‘The Public Theatre,’ and in London at the ‘Riverside Theatre. I was a single mom at the time, the production paid for a nanny and was able to take my two-year-old around the world.
It was the defining moment of no past being new and no longer defined by my parent’s addiction. I did plays for ten years and eventually became a TV Actress some of my bigger roles have been on ‘How to get away with Murder,’ ‘Goliath, ‘Lopez’ and ‘Criminal Minds”. I also donate my time working on a lot of films and documentaries that highlight injustice such as domestic violence. I spent time in Standing Rock defending Natives and their water rights.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been difficult. I chip away at this giant industry a little bit every year. As a latin woman, it took me 12 years to break out of bit roles as maid, nurse, and prostitute. But I finally did it and now got represent strong, educated Latinas.
What were you like growing up?
I was a weird kid, I used to pretend Robin Williams from Mork and Mindy was my dad. I disappeared into my imagination often as a way to not be swallowed up into the violence around me. I was tough because I had to be but mostly I loved digging worms, telling funny stories, and trying to make my awkwardness interesting.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: latonitorres
- Facebook: tonitorres
- Twitter: latonitorres
- Other: IMDB: Toni Torres
Image Credit:
Juan Escobedo and Rebecca Borgen
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