Wayne J. Bell, Actor
On the Edge of His Destiny
When 25-year-old Wayne J. Bell decided to try out his acting chops, he did it with all the confidence and bravado of a seasoned professional. He Had after all, been acting since the age of seven. So just like in the movies, he picked up and moved to Hollywood with only a $158 and a dream, but that’s where the cliche ends. Bell does go on to get discovered, and when the man who takes notice of you is none other than industry mogul Russell Simmons, well, the prospects look good. -roz edward
Career Highlights: Appeared in “Chaos” TV pilot directed by Brett Ratner (The Family Man, Red Dragon, the Rush Hour series, and X-Men: The Last Stand); Del Taco commercials and currently McDonald’s “Where Does Breakfast Come From” commercial.
Role Models: Robert Downey Jr., Jeffrey Wright, Al Pacino, Jeremy Piven, Leonardo DiCaprio, Don Cheadle
How did you get started?
My mom is a playwright and choreographer and she put me in stage plays when I was young. My first role was as Tiny Tim in Christmas is Coming Uptown at the Ensemble Theater in Houston. It’s the black version of Dickens’ Christmas Carol. … Then I got my first national television commercial with the Houston Rockets. That was my segue to meeting amazing people and working on my connections into getting into the industry. … My god uncle and mentor is Russell Simmons and he told me that in order to act [I] have to be where actors are, and that o be in film and television I would have to move to Los Angeles.
Do you draw on personal experience for inspiration?
Being an actor is all about inspiration. Acting enables me to call on my emotions on demand so that I can communicate with strangers and we can meet on a common plan. … I take [inspiration] from being a Christian which is my second most primitive state. In my most primitive state I am a black man. When I’m preparing to go into an audition, or a casting call or to meet with an agent, that is the passion and inspiration I bring with me so that they can be inspired to hire me.
What is one of your favorite Hollywood stories?
I love going to events. I went tot the Chateau Marmaunt with Russell Simmons. At that point I was living in a hostel in Crenshaw in a room with eight other people. When I got to the Chateau … the first person he introduced me to was Mallika Sherawat and she introduced me to some amazing people. I met Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey was there and so was Paula Patton. These are people I will be working with in the future.
What are your other interests?
I paint, I draw, and I dance as well. When I was at Morehouse I majored in psychology, but the academic rigors of Morehouse didn’t allow for much else other than staying focus on graduating. After that four years was over I was able to pursue my passion.
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