 The pretender
Interview with actor David Ackert
By Sanaz Khalaj
October 8, 2003
The Iranian
Just when you thought you could name all the
active Iranian actors/actresses in Hollywood, here's another
one to add your current roster, David Ackert. No, his name has
not been changed from Davood to David. He is in fact a true David
and a true Ackert. David is half Iranian and half American, and
is very much in tune with the Iranian community and loves his
culture. He is also happens to be the grandson of Ruhollah Khaleghi
- the late grat composer and writer.
You
may remember David in most part from his lead role as Ali, in
a little movie called "Maryam",
directed by Ramin Serry which received rave reviews in the media
nationally is now available
on DVD. Originally from the East Coast (DC Metro area), David
is currently living in Los Angeles working on a few projects
including Voices in
Harmony, a non-profit organization which
he co-founded in 1995. The organization works
with inner city teenagers by setting them up with mentors to
discover the power of theater and film and to uncover such
issues as drug abuse, racism, stereotyping and violence via an
artistic outlet in a safe environment.
Below is an
interview I did with your enjoyment. For more information on
David and his pursuits check out davidackert.com.
Where were you born?
I was born in LaCrosse,
Wisconsin, to an American father and Iranian mother (Golnoush
Khaleghi -
Ruhollah Khaleghi was my grandfather).
How would you best describe
yourself?
Determined, compassionate, honorable.
What did you
study in school?
Acting.
People that affected you most in life?
Parents
(their virtues and weaknesses have shaped my own); many of my
high-school and college teachers; the Landmark
Forum; lately, Rabbi Finley, and my wife.
How did you handle growing up Iranian
in the US as a young child during such turbulent times as they
were in the late 70's throughout the 80's?
Growing up Iranian
in the US has afforded me a more complicated view of issues like racism, racial
backlash,
etc. I used to be much more black and white about racial
backlash and prejudice - after the hostage crisis I developed
a persecution
complex. But I have recently changed perspective on the issue
and learned that I was as much to blame for the interactions
where I felt victimized.
What made you decide
you wanted to act?
I had just switched elementary
schools in Virginia in '79. Being the new kid in my sixth-grade
class, my teacher
introduced me as the "new Iranian student who just came over from where
the hostages were, and might be able to answer any questions..." You
can imagine the other kids' reaction.
I quickly came to
perceive school as a life-threatening place, so I started
telling
my mother I was too sick to leave my bed. I would concoct
pains
and vomiting
spells so serious that my mom finally took me to doctors
and specialists and eventually the hospital. It was an
incredibly powerful experience, pretending something
so convincingly
that
even the most seasoned doctors were fooled.
Later that
I realized that my lies had caused my parents a financial
burden,
so I
promised myself never to do something like that again,
but I knew that
when I grew up, I would be an actor - someone whose
job it is to pretend circumstances convincingly. Do you feel
that acting is your "calling" in
life?
I certainly can't imagine devoting myself
to anything else with the same dedication. As a child I
always loved
to be the center of attention, loved to be playful and to
pretend, so I know the muse is strong in me. As an adult actor,
I
find
the traits that got me into the profession are the ones
I have to be most careful to avoid. The moment I find myself
showing
off in a role, I lose my sense of the character and my
concentration finds a selfish focus.
Briefly describe life in
show biz.
I am never happier than when
I am being paid well to do what I love. But show business has
proved to be a very
challenging ride. Work comes in spurts, then there are long dry spells
of auditions and more auditions (which don't pay money but at least
offer hope) and the financial challenges implied in such
a lifestyle.
On top of that, it's easy to be seduced by the
hyped-up lifestyle of the rich and famous Hollywood actor. So
emotionally,
there is a lot of frustration that comes with the business. At
this
point I have encountered enough miserable successful
people in this industry to know that a TV show and a Bentley
don't guarantee
fulfillment. But in my weaker moments, I can become jealous
of my colleagues when they're on a hot streak.
What is job hunting
like in Hollywood for a Middle Eastern male during these
times?
In some ways it's been easier
since 9/11. There are more complicated roles. But there are
more actors competing for those
roles too. Do you feel that
you are bound by stereotypes made about Iranian actors/actresses
by Iranians?
Generally,
unless you're Houshang Tousi or Shohreh Aghdashloo, the Iranian
community views the actor as a minstrel and pressures
them to hurry up and get a real job. I have been fortunate
in that my family and Iranian friends have not subscribed to
such
stereotypes.
But in LA there is a different stigma to navigate.
There are so many people out here who are pursuing acting
that it's almost a joke. Many of them have little training or
work
ethic, so they lend to the stereotype that actors are silly
and clueless. If anything, it ads a sense of pride for those
of us
who are in it for the long haul, with a love for the craft
and a willingness to devote our lives to it, because in our
hearts we believe that even failure would be better than doing
something
else for a living. What would be your advice for up
coming students and fellow Iranians who are considering acting
as a profession?
If
it's a toss up between acting and something else, do something
else. If they're sure that acting
is the only thing that will make them happy, then get a mentor
- someone who is more accomplished and trained than they are.
Take them out to lunch for an interview every few months and
get a feeling for how a professional lives and how he or she
copes with it all. Then, follow their lead. What's
next on your plate?
I have a
recurring role on CBS's "JAG" this
month. Ramin Serry's "Maryam" is out on DVD at Blockbuster.
I'm co-writing a novel, which should hit book stores late next
year.
And of
course, lots of auditions, so there could be more news in another
week or so. Or not. That's part of what's scary (and magical)
about being an actor.
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