Carroll O'Connor gave the best advice for aspiring actors

The Emmy award-winning actor was all for following your dreams but said it would not come easy.

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Carroll O'Connor, whose first name is John, was the type of man that spoke his mind and was never afraid to talk about the truth. The actor was known as Archie on All in the Family and Bill Gillespie on In the Heat of the Night.

During a 1976 interview, O'Connor revealed that although many knew him for his legendary roles, he didn't always play those types of characters. "I played a lot of villains and [toughies]. Oh, and generals. Judges, lawyers, and not much comedy."

Before becoming a well-known actor, O'Connor was a teacher, and when the interviewer asked how he got into the profession, he said he took teaching jobs when he couldn't land a gig. "Well, I taught in New York for about three years in high schools there when I couldn't get a job as an actor."

Although he faced hardships during his career, when asked if he'd discourage aspiring actors from pursuing their passions, the Emmy winner said no.

"No, not a bit. Not a bit. But, it is a thing that takes a while. I would recommend, to anybody, try to get really good professional advice as to if [they] really have talent," he began. "And, accept that advice too. If someone says you don't have any, accept it. But, if you get the right kind of professional encouragement that you can really count on, go ahead with it, and don't let anyone stop you."

He continued by saying that aspiring actors might have to go through many years of doing free work before they start to see major career earnings, and there will be a lot of pressure from outsiders telling them to leave their dream behind.

"You [have to] go through about ten to twelve years, maybe, without earning a dime," O'Connor said. "And, you'll have all the pressure of people saying, 'Oh, get out of that crazy business. Get into something that is more stable and something that is more secure.'"

O'Connor believed that if an actor had talent, visible by professionals and influential figures, it was vital to stick with it.

After the response, the interviewer asked him if he had any regrets, and the actor said, "not at all."

In today's society, actors have the opportunity to get paid more and more often than back in the earliest decades, but these words of wisdom are still a must for aspiring ears to hear.

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12 Comments

JohnGibbons 17 months ago
MeTV get All in the Family back !!
Runeshaper 17 months ago
Carroll O'Connor ROCKS! He was great as Bill Gillespie on In the Heat of the Night.
JeffPaul76 17 months ago
Yeah, His "Southern Accent" in "In The Heat of The Night" was really Archie's Brooklyn accent.
JHP 17 months ago
and for the small part in Kelly's heroes (AKA DeGaulle) he was exceptional - another one in my top 10 movies - so many great actors - another art lost with all this superhero BS movies (gees ENUF already!!!!) - maybe they will come out with a Toothpick avengers?
Pacificsun JHP 17 months ago


LOCATION:
https://www.metv.com/stories/which-decade-had-the-best-halloween-candy

LOCATION: This is just for the Trivia Quiz (Don't peek if you want to play)
https://www.ultimatequizquestions.com/back-to-the-future-quiz/
JHP Pacificsun 17 months ago
might just do - am wearing a really holie t-shirt that scares people:)
it holier than the Pope
JHP 17 months ago
nothing personal against him at all - absolutely loved the Archie bunker character - cannot stand him or the show Heat of the night
Andybandit 17 months ago
I loved him in ITHOTN. He did a really good southern accent for someone who was New City.
Michael 17 months ago
He was in that all star extravaganza, Kelly's Heroes.

Wikipedia says he was considered as the Skipper in Gilligan's Island.
LoveMETV22 Michael 17 months ago
There were lots of almost choices when they were casting for Gilligans Island.
https://www.metv.com/lists/8-actors-who-were-almost-cast-on-gilligans-island
Barry22 Michael 17 months ago
.....also for Dr. Smith on Lost in Space. "Stifle yerself, metal-head!"
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