Meet Ezra Buzzington | Professional actor for film and television.

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

Hi Ezra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
A professional actor is his or her own CEO, CFO, and Board Chairman. There is no one else to whom they need report. Yes, we have agents and managers. But, ultimately, they work for us. We get the larger percentage of whatever job we/they engender. As a result, we should do the mountain share of the work. The smart actor does. It’s easy to sit back and wait for the phone to ring. But, show me a business where waiting for clients to come to you is the modus operandi and I’ll show you a business that goes out of business pretty quickly. On the flip side of that, it’s easy for an actor to believe they have zero power in attaining their goals. That’s a fallacy. One that most agents, managers, casting directors and other industry players like to maintain so as to retain their own tenuous hold on a slippery business where “power” is currency.. In a sense, an actor has zero power until they have it all. A list actors, for example. And, to some degree, that’s true. But, the smart actor knows that the ONE thing they bring to the table is their unique qualities. Nobody else on the planet can be George Clooney other than George Clooney. By that same notion, nobody can be Ezra Buzzington better than I can. That’s power. If that’s what the client is looking for. The acknowledgement of that uniqueness that I (and other actors) bring to the table that no one else can create, is what convinced me that I am the answer to a director’s problems. And, if it doesn’t work out that time, move on to the next. God knows, it’s nothing personal. It’s a business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The art of acting is defined by the individual creating it. While some actors define it more efficiently than others, there tends to be a place for everyone attempting to achieve success in the craft. Actors are as varied as snowflakes. Each individual brings a specific something to a role that no one else can bring. That can be a blessing or a curse. I was told when I first came to Hollywood that it was wise to create a “cross”. Two actors who are similar to you but different from each other. This could be used as a tool for Casting Directors/Agents, etc., to use in the selling of your style. Mine was a cross between a younger James Woods and Steve Buscemi. And it worked regarding “branding”. It also tended to “set me apart” form actors who didn’t know quite what their brand was. It’s imperative to know how you’re being perceived. (Not to be confused with who you actually are. Which doesn’t really matter in terms of sales.) I’m most proud of the directors I’ve been lucky enough to work with. Major names ranging from Chris Nolan to Steven Spielberg. And, pretty much, everyone else in between. However, I am most proud of the independent film work I’ve done. With unknown directors who have a vision and the wherewithal to create something uniquely their own.
I got to “where I am today” by being precise, calculating, knowing my type, being incredibly professional on set while, at the same time, knowing when it’s time to draw a line regarding behavior. I love nothing more than being on set. But that doesn’t mean I’ll take any kind of abuse (which can be rampant) or disrespect from anyone. “Don’t be a dick” is my general rule of thumb on set. For everyone. The specifics of how I got here are a result of my running my career like a business: taking notes, remembering contacts, looking for appropriate parts, reading ALL the trades and online industry-related podcasts/news sources. Being informed is the best tool for finding work. Research a director you have a meeting with. Look up previous work of all the players involved, etc. Know things. But, mostly, know what you have to bring to the game. And no. It is definitely not easy. Shooing a film or TV show is the easy part. Finding the work is where the real work comes in. It’s. A. Business.
I would like “the world to know” that I am, first of all, a professional. Also a really good guy. My brand tends to be one of intimidation and threatening. That’s because of my rather severe look. However, I’m a marshmallow who can do comedy, drama, horror, action, film, television and theatre. I like to think I’m a chameleon in terms of the characters I play. I’m proud of that. But, honestly. Ask anybody I’ve worked with. They’ll tell you I’m a dream and that my story is still being written.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Fun! I love this question. I love the underground scenes most. First I’d take them to a local “fringe” theatre that’s doing innovative work. Any one of many: Sacred Fools, Open Fist, The Rogue Ensemble, Hollywood Fringe, many, many options. Then I’d hop over to “Cherry Poppins” Burlesque. They often play at Three Clubs and/or The Bourbon Room in Hollywood. One of the best ensembles in town. No lie. For food I’d go divey. Nothing beats Norms on La Cienega or Astro’s in Silverlake! Not a big fan of the Hollywood playah places like The Ivy or The Grill. zzzz…. For drinks, Akbar is my first choice. They have great entertainment in their back room! It’s at Fountain and Sunset. Inclusive, gender-bending, queer, str8. Fabulous people. Our art galleries are beyond belief. Two of my favorites are Gattopardo and The Pit. Must sees. They support wonderful work. I tend not to do touristy things, cos, blech. I’ve had enough corporate influences on my industry. Thanks.

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 someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First of all, a shout out to my mother who was the penultimate example of support. Her understanding of the creative process (as an amateur actress and daughter of a semi-professional Vaudevillian) helped build a solid foundation on which I was able to build a career in a very difficult industry. Next would be to my extended family of friends, some of whom, but not all, are in the same business I’m in. It would be impossible to survive without a base of supportive allies.
I would be remiss in not extending gratitude to the Los Angeles theatre community who have long suffered under the misconception that Los Angeles is not a true theatre town. As the Founder or C0-founder of two Fringe Theatre Festivals (NYC, Seattle) and previous advisor the the Hollywood Fringe Theatre Festival, I know this not to be true.
I also appreciate the actors’ union SAG-Aftra, which, for all its faults, helps elevate the status of creatives in an economically emphasized business.

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Twitter: I don’t use Twitter since Musk destroyed it.

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