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

Hi Ransford, what role has risk played in your life or career?
According to RiskBites.com, “A hazard is the possibility of something causing harm, while risk is the probability of harm” based on exposure to that hazard. In my 25-year career as a working actor in Hollywood, taking risks has been part of the way, not in the way of my life. But more importantly, how I respond to the results of taking risks has been key because at the end of the day, the thoughts, and emotions I must deal with from my choices, are within me. It’s why I don’t take the highs too high and the lows too low. For example, when it came to deciding whether to stay on the East Coast with family and friends or move to Los Angeles, CA to pursue a career in television and film, I had to ask myself, “Do I want to deal with the risk of regret for not leaving or the risk of failure that I would have to face, which are many, in pursuit of my dreams?” I know deep down, there was a 99% probability I would have regretted not taking action to pursue a career in the acting business if I chose to stay on the East Coast and I would have no one else to blame but me, so taking the risk to fail was the risk worth taking. I can look in the mirror and say to myself, “At least I went for it!” which is something no one can take from me. Despite the 530 Nos (FAILS) out of 575 auditions, it’s the 45 television and film credits (SUCCESSES) that mean the most to me because I remember when it was o talent reps, 0 auditions, and 0 credits and none of my achievements would have happened if I had never taken a multitude of risks.

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.
Pursuing your dreams is a continuous process. Especially because dreams can change. Arriving in Los Angeles and woefully unprepared for the challenges I would face in becoming a working actor, I had to learn to make major adjustments and accept the reality that it was not going to be easy or glamorous. Despite the success I had in television and film within the early stages of my career, there was always a struggle between sacrificing financial security for my dream. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I decided to stop focusing on being a star on the stage and screen and focus on being a star at life. What’s being a star at life? Making a difference in the world around you by giving back and I’m not talking about money. Get out of the house and volunteer, coach, or teach. Participate in the world around you instead of sitting around and waiting for the phone to ring. Giving your time, attention, and energy to something that has nothing to do with the arts is not only refreshing but also fulfilling because it’s not always about you. It’s what inspired me to write my memoir, DEAR STARVING ARTIST, GET SOMETHING TO EAT which isn’t just another celebrity memoir. It’s more an… anti-celebrity memoir, about chasing your dreams, making it, and discovering meaning somewhere else. And that you don’t have to starve for your art. You can find other ways to live for it, while enriching the lives of those around you.

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?
Shout out to my former C.D. Hylton high school classmate and friend Omarie Sanders for his mentorship and his wife Angie J. Sanders for being the dopest co-writer! My memoir would not be what it is without you.

Website: https://ransford.me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ransforddohertyactorpage/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ransford-doherty-m-speced-6863a811a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RansfordDoherty

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ransforddohertyofficial/

Image Credits
Photo Credit:TNT Show:Major Crimes Related Photos: Major Crimes Photos Photo Credit: Film Web Film: Hostage

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