Industry Pro: Actor Eric Lange

You have probably seen actor Eric Lange as the coach on an episode of “Modern Family” or as Radzinsky on ”Lost” or in any one of many other parts he’s had in the past couple of years. He has been working for a while now, but as he says in his profile, it wasn’t until he settled on his current look that he really started gaining momentum in his career. Read on to find out more about the career of this talented working actor.

Current part:  I am currently recurring on “Weeds.” I’ll be in the last three or four episodes of the season. I also recur on “Victorious” on Nickelodeon. I play Mr. Sikowitz, the eccentric acting teacher at the talented and gifted school the kids go to. I’m also on a web series called “Easy To Assemble” (set in IKEA) playing Manager Erik, the Manager of IKEA.

College & degree:  I have a BFA in theatre from Miami University of Ohio.

Internships: I did an internship at the La Jolla playhouse in San Diego, CA the summer of my freshman year in college. I was an apprentice on “Tommy” while I was there.

Acting while in school (professional or amateur):  In middle school, I was in a show choir. My freshman year, there was no show choir to join. A friend was going to a meeting of the drama club and I went with him. I fell in love with it. So I started acting in high school. I did a number of plays and musicals there, including “The Music Man,” “South Pacific,” “The Desperate Hours,” “Charlie’s Aunt,” and “Our Town.” Then in college, I got to work quite a bit. Seems like I was always in a play or musical. I did “Man of La Mancha,” “Cabaret,” “Burn This,” “Bedroom Farce”… too many to list here, really. I got a ton of experience.

Day job while you were working towards being a working actor:  When I first moved to LA (three months after college), I got a job as a Tour Guide at Universal Studios working on the trams. I was there about six months and, during that time, I got a commercial agent and started auditioning. I left Universal for various reasons and started auditioning more. So I got a job at Paramount working as a transcriber for “Hard Copy.” I took the job because it allowed me flexibility to audition. At that point I had booked a couple commercials. Then I went back to Universal and worked as a “Blues Brother” in their stage show there. Singing and dancing five shows a day. It was a fun job, but eventually I got so busy with commercials, I left and started making my living as an actor. I was pretty fortunate that the acting income picked up as quickly as it did. Never was a waiter.

First post-graduate acting job:  I was always doing theatre and commercials while trying to get representation for TV/Film. But my first television gig was on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” I had like two lines. Haha!

How did you get repped?  I had a commercial agent very early on. I got that agent from submitting a headshot and resume. Later, I either mailed a headshot and resume or got a referral to get my first theatrical (TV/Film) agent. I was with her a year and very little happened. Then I got another theatrical agent (don’t remember how) and was with him a year with very little progress. I eventually sort of gave up and kept doing theatre just hoping someone with the clout to DO something for me would see me.

That happened when I played Mitch in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Rubicon theatre. A friend brought her Manager to see me, he liked me, we started working together and, in three months, I had a guest star on “The West Wing.” It’s been seven years and he’s still my manager. It took me eight years to meet him, but he completely turned my career around.

What was your “big break” (or series of breaks that got you working)?  After I guest starred on “The West Wing,” it was much easier to get in to audition for other guest stars, so that was one of them. The more I worked, the more people got to know me. So, it’s hard to say what the “break” was, but certainly my role on “LOST” was the most high-profile job I had gotten. It put me on “the map”, as it were.

Do you continue to train (acting classes, coaches, workshops)?  I don’t. I used to say, “If I’m not in a play, I’ll be in a class.” But now, I work so regularly I keep pretty busy regularly trying to crack the puzzle of one part after another. I still do theatre when I can because I love it and it flexes muscles you don’t get to use in TV/Film. I love the theatre and the process.

Has ageism been factor into your experience as an actor?  If anything, I’ve been cast older most of my career. As a balding man, people took me as older, but I was balding from a pretty early age. So at first my hairline didn’t match my age or face and that created a difficulty finding roles for me. I was young and old at the same time. But, then I hit 30, filled out a bit, got a few wrinkles and the hair (or lack thereof) matched the face. That’s when things really started to roll for me.

Have you used your acting career- or are you planning to use it- as a way of  branching into producing or directing?  I directed a play in college and liked it, but haven’t done it since. I think it’s a natural progression as, eventually, when the acting thing is sort of taken care of and your career is moving along, you naturally become curious about other things. Producing will allow you greater control over where your career goes, as you can make your own projects instead of waiting for someone to put you in theirs. But, right now, I’m really just focusing on climbing higher and higher in the acting world.

Eureka moment:  I had always had very short hair, because it was so thin on top.  I thought this would make me “right” for more roles, professional roles, doctors, lawyers, etc. It’s where I felt I fit. But then I did a six episode pilot called “Twentysixmiles” (now on Hulu.com) and I grew my hair out for six months before it. I had to be a Jimmy Buffet, beach bum type and I thought long hair would be great. I did that and it was a fantastic experience.

Then “LOST” happened and a string of other roles after that, so this is my look for now. I think the eureka moment is that if you try to make yourself “fit” in a wide array of roles, then you end up looking like a lot of other people. As a character actor, with long hair, a beard, and glasses, it sets me apart. I’m not right for a lot of things, but those I am right for, I usually do quite well with. And frankly, I like “me” more this way. It suits me.

Most significant roles:  I had a big guest star on “Criminal Minds.” The pilot “Twentysixmiles” was my first series regular. “LOST” just because I got to do seven episodes of one of the biggest shows in the history of television and play a very damaged, dynamic villian. Since then I did a pilot for ABC called “True Blue” which did not get picked up, but was one of the best experiences of my career. I’d say those were some milestones.

Favorite part or project?  ”LOST” was phenomenal for me, as I was a huge fan of that show and always wanted to be on it. I was only supposed to do two episodes, then I went home for Christmas and they called and said they wanted me to do five more. That was a great feeling, as well. The size of the show, the scope of the show, it’s done so well, and its worldwide appeal all made it one of the best experiences I’ve had.

But Malcolm, my character on “True Blue,” will always hold a special place in my heart. You get a pilot like that, with the cast and crew we had and you think, “Holy crap, if this thing gets picked up, this could be HUGE for me.” It’s very exciting. Until they tell you they didn’t pick it up. (Back to the drawing board.)

Most difficult part or project? Hmmm…. sometimes you don’t like a script as much as others or the part isn’t anything to write home about. Sometimes it is just a job and you have bills to pay, so you do it. It’s not bliss, but it’s certainly not digging ditches either. So I really can’t say I have a “most difficult” one. I always learn something, it’s always good to work.

Describe a typical work day:  I just start thinking about the character a lot. Just daydream about it and see what instinctual thoughts come into my head. I read the script quite a bit, I like to have the lines down as much as possible so I don’t have to think about them and can let the scenes “happen.” By “happen,” I mean that the technical part of learning the lines is over, so I’m free to be more spontaneous, be present in the scene, listen, allow the other actors to inform me… all without worrying about the lines. So I go over the lines quite a bit, usually while doing house work. If you can do something that takes your focus away and still do the lines, that’s a good sign. I may watch movies or shows that will fill in more inspiration for whatever the part happens to be. But as much as you want to plan, you have to stay flexible. When you get to the set, you’ve never seen it before and there’s always adjustments that will be made on the fly, so you can’t get too rigid in your preparation. Then I just show up, as relaxed as possible, and let it fly. Other than that, I’m usually auditioning, preparing for an audition, working in some way on my house and checking my email.

Best thing about being a working actor:  Getting to do what you love and get paid for it. I mean there are highs and lows, and often there’s no telling where the next check is coming from. Eventually, if you work regularly enough, you’ve built up some stability financially. I’m tremendously lucky to be doing what I’m doing. I pinch myself on a regular basis. It really is a dream come true. The people I meet, the places I get to go, the people I work with… It really is an amazing gift. The hard part is enjoying the moment, enjoying the journey and not looking ahead to “when will I get that big job.” I’m a very lucky guy to be doing this for a living.

Worst thing about being a working actor:  Not knowing what next month or next week will look like. Sometimes you get a job and two days later you’re on a plane to somewhere for a month. It makes it difficult to plan things, to find consistency and routine.  And I’m finding more and more, I do well with routine. And often you’re not working… and that might last a week or a month or many months, so the down time can be hard. You start to wonder if you’ll ever work again, etc.

Brush with greatness:  I’ve gotten to work with many incredible actors, but I’d have to say working on “You Don’t Know Jack” with Al Pacino was an incredible period of time. He’s such a legend and so good at what he does. To be able to sit for days and watch him work and work WITH him was a privilege few people ever get. Add to that the project was directed by Barry Levinson and you have what most people would call a “dream.” It really was a phenomenal time.

Sidelines (clothing line, painting, etc.):  I used to write music. I don’t do that much any more, though I do still play the piano fairly regularly. It’s a stress releaser for me. My house has become a creative outlet for me. I like to take on projects, learn how to fix things, decorate, etc. I love my house. I did make my first painting last year that I’m quite proud of, but I haven’t made another since. (I’m a perfectionist so I can be very hard on myself if something isn’t “perfect.”) Right now, I’m full steam ahead on climbing up the acting ladder, spending time with friends and family, and learning more and more about myself.

Secret of your success/advice to the newbie:  Work as much as you can. Whether it’s a play, a movie you make with friends, a scene… anything. Just do it as much as possible. It’ll remind you you’re an actor, keep those muscles loose and then when the big audition comes you haven’t been just sitting in your apartment for the last three months getting stiff and doubting yourself.

Know who you are, as much as you can, and what you bring to this industry that’s special. Find balance within your life and get ready for a fight, because it’s not going to be easy. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support you. Watch as many great performances as you can. Go to movies, plays, etc. and get inspired. You have to just go for it, you can’t just dip your toe in the pool.

And if you move to Los Angeles, find something to listen to in the car. You’ll be in there quite a bit.

Next move: I’ve been guest starring and recurring on shows for years now. The ABC pilot was a great step in the direction of finding a place for me on a one hour drama. I’m getting closer and closer. I like the schedule of television and the format of one hour. But the things that really moved me when I was younger and dreaming of being an actor were movies. I’d like to do more of those, as well. I just did SECRETARIAT, which comes out in October, so that could help move things along. But all in all, I’m just trying to enjoy the journey.

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