Rocky Carroll, NCIS: A Life-Changing Choice
Greetings,
I want to start this entry off-topic, if that's OK. I attended a black-tie viewing party of the Oscars two Sundays ago. Had a great time. I usually don't have much to say about the Oscars, but something about this year's show stuck with me.
So much has been made of the phrase, "It's an honor to be nominated." The way the awards for best actor/actress and supporting actor/actress were presented, with five former winners personally praising each nominee's performance, was terrific. Each nominee was honored at the ceremony. You could see it on their faces, it was very moving. Who knows, the Academy may go back to their old way of presenting because the new way may have been time-consuming, but I hope they don't. I think they got it right.
Our business is often depicted as a competitive sport where actors have no real regard for each other. That may be true in some cases, but not with most actors. We are inspired and motivated by each other. When I walk out of a movie theatre after seeing a terrific film, I can't describe the sense of pride I feel, just being in the same industry. Actors root for each other, cheer for each other and most important ... we steal from each other (LOL). Every actor that I know has a favorite performance by another actor that stays very close to their hearts. I have many, but there's one that stands out.
When I was a sophmore in college I decided that I was done with the training program and ready to go out and make a living as an actor. I felt I knew all I needed to know, and what I didn't know I could fake. At the end of that school year I was going to tell my folks, "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm done with school. You don't have to spend two more years paying tuition. I'm quitting school and heading to the Big Apple." Well ... somewhere during that school year I went with a couple of friends to see a movie. That movie was Sophie's Choice. That movie.... Oh man. That movie was the reason I decided to stay in school, finish the training program, get my degree in fine arts and remain a student of the craft of acting for the rest of my life.
I mentioned in an earlier blog that I met Meryl Streep several years later. I was performing on Broadway and she came to see the show. After the show, she came backstage and met the cast. We talked a bit, but I didn't tell her that her performance in that film set the bar for me, as an actor. The two hours I spent watching her in that film were the most inspiring, humbling two hours of my life. There was so much activity backstage that day. Lots of people, everyone taking pictures with her, etc;. I couldn't say what I wanted to say without being interrupted, so I kept it to myself. That was 19 years ago. I hope I have the chance to meet her again. I have something that I'd like to tell her.
OK, forgive me for drifting off course with this entry. I said I would tell you my M. Streep story someday. I hope you didn't mind reading it. I guess the Oscars made me think about it again.
Next entry I promise to get back to the subject of NCIS.
Until next time,
Rocky Carroll
