Entertainer
Interview with Marilyn on December 27, 2015 (Highlight Version)
Entertainment turned out to be a path I would follow for many years even though I didn’t pursue it at first.
During my grade school years, I performed a few times with my dad and sister at our church. Daddy was in the Choir and had a wonderful tenor singing voice. In High School, I was in Glee Club, and Band; I played the flute and occasionally twirled the baton. I performed in ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’, 'The Red-Headed Stepchild' and 'The Cracked Nutts'. I was voted in by the student body as a Varsity Basketball Cheerleader in both my Jr. and Sr. years.
After high school, my personal life took center stage with marriage, and the birth of six children, 3 girls and 3 boys between 1953 and 1962. You might say I was a ‘busy mom’.
Fast forward… I entered the radio/television industry from 1970 through 1982 hosting several programs and co-hosting a radio and TV program called, ‘Those Two’, taped and broadcast from a local Tampa station where we had fun interviewing 'A-listers and Hollywood stars of that era who were performing at the Showboat Dinner Theatre. Some of my favorites were Ed McMahon - Johnny Carson's co-host on the Tonight Show; George Hamilton, Sue Ann Langdon, and Andy Devine.
In 1985, I completed modeling school which opened many doors through 1995. I modeled for print, videos, tea rooms, restaurants, and mannequin modeling, It was a good way to keep in shape!
My next venture was meeting a man who had an Ad Agency. He had the knowledge to guide me to the best Screen Actor Guild Agency and made sure I had the right connections. I took acting classes for auditions and voiceover work, where I won the ‘Herbie Award’ for the best audition from one of Orlando’s leading Casting Directors who was also our teacher.
My first break was a National Commercial for ‘Super Poli-Grip’. They flew me to Dallas, TX where I was chauffeured by limousines, pampered by make-up artists, and hairstylists who dyed my white/silver hair brown, so it wouldn’t conflict with the white kitchen cupboards on the set for the commercial. When I returned back home, Sears called to book me for a commercial, and work kept coming. I was doing National, Local, Infomercials, voiceovers, educational videos, etc.
An opportunity came to audition for a part in the play, ‘Harvey', at the Ice House Theatre in Mount Dora, FL. I tried out for a small part since I had no experience in theatre, but the Director cast me for the lead, ‘Veta Louise’. It was a success. My next theater experience was at the historical Bay Street Theater in Eustis, FL. playing the part of ‘Claree’ in 'Steel Magnolias'. It was a lot of work but a challenge I enjoyed for sure.
Life was good, my career was on a roll, but the busier I got, the more I realized I wasn't getting younger and needed to start investing more in my health. So my next ‘fun and out of the box’ experience was becoming an Entrepreneur. I’m thankful for the wonderful blessings the Lord has given me throughout my life and privileged to share my story. God bless you on the journey to fulfilling your dreams; and more importantly, be sure to invest in your health to live longer, healthier, and happier! - Marilyn (*-*)