Meet Caro Darman | Actress, playwright & producer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caro Darman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caro, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think I thrive on risk. It kind of scares me to even say it, but when I look back at how things happened for me, every major goal I’ve achieved in my career has been preceded with some major risk taking. I come from a family of engineers, lawyers, professors, where I was told I could make of my career anything I wished, but art was implicitly and utterly out of the equation. I always knew I wanted to act professionally but was really afraid to say it. So when finished high school I started studying Business Administration, because I “had to” go to University to get a degree of some kind, and there was no acting college degree in Argentina at that time. Then a couple years after that I had some sort of epiphany when I caught myself reading Shakespeare under the table in an Economic History class, and I quit college. It was terrifying, the industry in Argentina is tiny and very confined, I had no contacts whatsoever, everybody thought I would starve and that I was “wasting my brains”. But that somehow forced me to forge a path for myself and I managed to establish myself as an actress there, mainly in the theatre world. A couple years into that I felt stagnant and I wanted to go deeper into the craft but wasn’t quite finding how to do it. I could have easily stayed there and kept working, but instead I put together every penny I had saved in my life and came to the US to audition for some major MFA Acting programs. Long story short, I got into one of my favorite ones, but I didn’t get enough of a scholarship to be able to afford it, so I had to go back to Argentina. By then, however, I had gotten much of the insight into the craft that I was searching for, and back in Buenos Aires I began to get all the leading roles I had always wanted. Then some years after that my career growth slowed down dramatically, and once again I was forced to make a decision: do I stay in my comfort zone even though I know for a fact that it’s not what I envision for myself, or do I take a leap of faith? I moved to Mexico two months later, and I don’t know how or why but doors flung open for me like never before. I had always wanted to do more TV and film and Mexico gifted me with that opportunity for the first time. And something similar happened a few years later when I came to LA. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still always completely terrified to death of what could happen if it doesn’t work out. But I think remaining stagnant terrifies me just a bit more. And also -and this is what I’ve been learning most recently- every one of those risks that payed off was of the same nature at its core: it was about betting on myself.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I guess I try not to spend too much time or energy thinking about the challenges. It may be naive of me, but I know that if I spent a long time thinking of how hard this profession is and how all the odds are against me I would quit right away. I just get up every day and keep working towards my dreams to the best of my abilities, I do my best to get up after all the falls, and I try to be kind along the way. Kindness is very important to me. You know, it’s a tough industry, borderline abusive at times, and it used to be worse I think. I was afraid of this when I was younger, I thought I might never fit in within that environment, or that if it was cool to be rude I’d never be cool enough for it. And then when I was a student in NY I got invited to be in the audience of one of the Inside the Actors Studio recordings, the guest was Amy Adams and I remember she spoke about the importance of being kind, and it really marked me. I felt like I was being told that it was possible to belong to the industry and keep being myself, and from that day it’s alway been like a compass for me; I only want people who are exceptionally kind and empathic in my team, and it helps me be the best version of myself too, I learn a lot from them. Selfless acts of kindness are one of the things that move me to my core. A few months ago I was at the Denver Airpot saying goodbye to my boyfriend, he was flying back to Mexico and I was going to LA and wouldn’t see him for over a month. After he left I was sulking at a restaurant, too sad to eat, and the waiter came to me, he insisted that I try the soup of the day (which I eventually did, and it was delicious!), he didn’t let me pay and he gave me a beer that he had put in a special cup so I could walk through the airport with it until it was time for my flight. He saw me. I will never forget that. It may sound corny, but it’s those things that make me believe in humanity and in telling stories, and that keep me moving forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I wish I knew LA better to answer this question properly! I always go to the same places. I’m a huge fan of Monty’s burgers and Quarter Sheets Pizza in Echo Park. When I have to send emails and that stuff I like to hang at Stories. I love Bar Flores for drinks, and Los Feliz has a ton of great spots too. Call me crazy, but I love East LA because you can actually walk. I guess I would take anyone visiting to the Griffith Observatory and the Getty Museum because they’re just so beautiful. And I understand now why everybody in LA loves hiking, it’s such a great disconnect and there are so many trails! The beach would also be mandatory. I have a secret spot in Malibu that my aunt showed me but well… it’s a secret.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
To my mother, for always giving me all she had and more, and being ridiculously loving and supportive of me even when she had no idea what I was doing. To my grandmother Nanú, for being the only one who believed in me as an actress when it was still a secret, and for a very long time after that too. To my theatre gang in Buenos Aires who taught me so much and held my hand through the heartbreaks. To Clari & Vicky, whom I’ve promised to invite to my first Academy Awards (hold tight!). To my father and sister for always being there for me. To my aunt Graciela for her unwavering support, and to my cousin Jessica who’s the kindest, most charming Californian girl I know and deserves an interview of her own.

Website: www.imdb.me/carodarman

Instagram: www.instagram.com/carodarman

Image Credits
1- PH: Octavio Gutierrez 2- Screenshot from “Las Palomas y las Bombas” 3- Screenshot from “Rosario Tijeras”, 4- Screenshot from “Harina” 5- On set candid.