Hollywood At Home With The Creative Coalition

As a kid in high school, Rob Morrow saw the film Grease and knew immediately that he was going to be an actor. He began doing plays at school and it wasn't long before he dropped out to pursue acting professionally. In this episode, Morrow shares the numerous synchronicities that led him to what he believes was his destiny in the entertainment industry, as well as some of the powerful lessons he h...

At the tender age of 19, American actor Asante Blackk has already sunk his teeth into two powerful, socially-relevant roles. He is best known for his role in When They See Us, and as Malik in the acclaimed TV series, This Is Us. In this episode, he discusses his passion for acting, his unusual journey to success, and why it is essential to be proactive in creating the life that you desire.  Get th...

When Clark Gregg contemplated a career in the entertainment industry, he worried about it being a crazy idea. Although his journey to a successful career as an actor, director and screenwriter might look a bit haphazard on the outside, it was really a journey of following his heart one step at a time. In this episode, Gregg shares how he created his own path, “made his own work,” and refused to gi...

American actor David Alan Basche was 11 when he got his first audience laugh for his role as Tom Sawyer. It was a moment that would send him down an unexpected path, one that would require diligence, hard work, and a lot of goal-setting. In this episode, Basche discusses his dogged determination to do whatever it took to be successful in the performing arts, and the long and winding path he took t...

American author, television writer and actress, Jessica Queller, has always loved storytelling. At the age of 10, she was cast as “Annie” in a camp production and knew that she was destined for the entertainment industry. In this episode, Queller shares her journey from stage acting to television writing, as well as the poignant story of her mother's breast cancer and death, and how this impacted...

Carly Chaikin knew from an early age that she would become an actress. On revealing her plans to family and friends, she was met with numerous doubts and many people who did not take her seriously. The high school student refused to let their opinions stop her. In this episode, she discusses her unusual path to pursuing her acting career and how quickly she found success against the odds. Get the...

For actor and director, Chad Lowe, childhood was a time of depression and self-doubt as he made his way through the repercussions of his parents' divorce and their later remarriages. In this episode, he discusses feeling like he never fit in or belonged anywhere, and acknowledges that this inner turmoil eventually played a part in his unexpected journey to becoming a successful actor.  Get the ful...

American actor Richard Kind grew up believing he would follow in his father's footsteps and take over the family jewelry business someday. But taking the advice of his father's best friend would change the course of his life forever. In this episode, Kind discusses how saying yes to every opportunity would lead him down a path he couldn't have possibly imagined.  Get the full show notes and more r...

There are injustices and inequalities everywhere we turn. Some of us feel compelled to fight against them, even at an early age. Actress and comedian Kathy Najimy was still just a girl when she felt the first stirrings of her interest in being an activist. In this episode, Najimy discusses that journey, as well as her inspiring and sometimes humorous story of tenacity and taking risks. Get the ful...

After graduating high school at just 15 years old, actress AnnaLynne McCord moved to New York City to pursue her dream of acting. As the years ahead unfolded, childhood trauma would take her down an unexpected path that now helps countless people in the world. In this episode, McCord shares some of the highlights of her unusual background and the impact that it has had on her life both personally...

When college drop-out Bill Prady followed his then-girlfriend to New York because he had nothing better to do, no one could have imagined the incredible journey he was beginning. Nor could anyone have foreseen that he would become an award-winning television writer and producer, and co-creator of one of TV's most successful shows. In this episode, Prady discusses the chance events that became defi...

Those in the creative arts industry are used to having to change themselves or their material on a regular basis. However, comedians face specific challenges not faced by other creatives such as musicians or artists. In this episode, American standup comedian and actress, Judy Gold, talks about some of the more general challenges and changes faced by comics, as well as some that are particularly a...

You might think growing up in a family full of actors would automatically make a person choose the same path. Not so for Tim Daly. Despite beginning his own stage career at the age of 7, it wasn't until a surprising event in high school that he thought seriously about making acting his life's work. In this episode, Daly talks about that magical moment, along with some of the entertaining highlight...

Some people take decades to figure out who they are and what they're born to do. Not so with American comedian, actress and jazz singer, Lea DeLaria. As a rebellious child, she disrupted the status quo in her unstoppable need to be who she is. In this episode, DeLaria talks about her lifelong determination to express herself with honesty and integrity, and to speak up and speak out as an openly ga...

Growing up in a family of academics and scientists, one might not expect to be supported in a career in the arts. But for Katherine McNamara, they were also artists and musicians who nurtured her creative spirit, as well as her love of learning. In this episode, Katherine shares her jaw-dropping journey through obtaining a degree in business (at 17 years old) while pursuing her passion for the ent...

Actor Wilson Cruz knew from an early age that he wanted to perform and it was largely this burning desire that led to his family moving to California when he was 10 years old. At the age of 16, he landed an agent and quickly understood that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. In this episode, Cruz discusses some of the incredible opportunities that he created by being insistent, and how they change...

Growing up in the shadow of five older siblings who were successful in business produced added pressure for Jim Gaffigan to follow in their footsteps. Ignoring the calling of his heart, he did what was expected of him, attended college and studied finance. But in the wake of his mother's death, he “felt like the line of thinking [he'd] been taught was broken.” In this episode, Jim explains how he...

Anthony Rapp's first stage performance was at the tender age of 6. Recognizing his talent, his single mother moved heaven and earth to give her son the opportunities he would need to be successful. Soon, Rapp was a working actor and has remained busy for most of his life. In this episode, Rapp discusses his inspiring career, and the love, respect and gratitude he has always felt for his mother, wh...

Julie Taymor is a director and writer of theater, opera and film. Since the debut of her stage adaptation of The Lion King, it has been seen by more than 90 million people in 19 countries. Combining her designing skills, her passion for the arts, and her love of storytelling, Taymor is a force to be reckoned with. In this episode, she shares much of her fascinating process in creating some of the...

We like to think we can predict how our lives will turn out. But all it takes is a chance meeting and one simple question to turn everything on its head. In this episode, former Seinfeld star, Jason Alexander, shares his remarkable story of how a "shy loner" suddenly found himself loving being on stage where he acted, sang and danced his way into an incredible career that would later include both...

It can take people decades to develop enough self-awareness that they discover a job or career that they love and believe is their purpose, but Wendi McLendon's earliest memories are of feeling compelled to be on stage. In this episode, Wendi discusses the childhood discovery and challenges that led her to becoming a successful actress and comedian.  Get the full show notes and more resources at h...

Jason Isaacs, award-winning actor and producer, graduated with a law degree before inadvertently stumbling into what would ultimately be a highly successful career in acting. In this episode, Isaacs shares the incredible story of how that came to be, along with some significant events that confirmed for him just how powerful the arts can be in shaping our world. Get the full show notes and more re...

Alan Cumming, O.B.E., is a Scottish–American actor, singer, comedian and filmmaker who has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and plays. He has received more than 40 awards for his humanitarianism and social activism. In this episode, Cumming discusses his own experience of self-discovery as well as why being authentic is so important to him in his work and his life.  Get the full show...