Actor Ricco Ross- from Beauty in Black Netflix Series

By Staff

 How did you begin your career as an actor?

My acting career started out in a kind of unusual way. I was a student going to a new high school, parents divorced, moving from Illinois to south florida, etc. One day I was trying to sneak in school before we were allowed in and was stopped by a teacher, Ms Cook. I made up a lie why I wanted to go in early because I had left my book. She read right through me and stopped me. Another student who was a young white girl came up to her with the same excuse and she was allowed in. I got so mad that I gave Ms Cook some of my best acting trying to persuade her that that was not fair, racist, etc. Again, she read right through my lies by saying, “You’re not going in early, but you will be in my play.” I said no I wouldn’t and she persisted. I finally convinced her that I didn’t like reading out loud in front of people. Truth is I wasn’t a good reader. She said it would be a lot of improvising or pretending.  Long story short, I didn’t get in early and I did her play. The play was a success and I later played one of the leads in a play called Out Of The Frying Pan with a fellow classmate, now successful comedian / actor Featherman and loved every minute of it! Years later at the end of my second year of college I was asked by a counselor what I wanted to major in. I really didn’t know. He suggested I consider three things.
1) What do I like doing?
2) What was I good at? and
3) Do I think I could make a living at it?

So I decided to be an actor. I finished undergrad with a BA but managed to get into the only grad school I had applied for, UCLA, and with a fellowship offer! That was my ticket out of Florida, so I moved to LA, finished the course and started working in Hollywood just as the 2 year course finished. 

Tell us about your role in the Netflix series, “Beauty in Black.

I got an email that was being asked to put myself on tape for a great role and a major guest role in a Tyler Perry Netflix TV series. It was late and it was due in the morning. I had  been so busy that day and only wanted to eat and watch tv, but in my head I couldn’t stop hearing, “90% of success is showing up.” So I asked my wife/reader to help me get one take without a mistake so I could send it in. I did a little research on the role, learned the lines and thought, let’s just get a good take. Half way through the recording my character was supposed to cough. As I coughed, my reader said her line and I didn’t hear it. In character I said, “Excuse me.” Behind the camera she quietly put her hands up as to say, What?. Still in character with the camera still rolling I said, “I didn’t hear you.” she repeated the line, we continued with the rest of the scene. I watched it, knew I had made a mistake but told her, that was the feel of the character and that was the audition I sent in! It wasn’t until later did I appreciate the magnitude of this character and the project. 

What is your process in preparing for a role? 
I studied Method acting in the states and Classical theater in London, England so I use whatever works for a particular role.  With the role in Beauty in Black, I based the character on my father as he was a strong man that rarely raised his voice. In fact he often lowered his voice when others raised theirs. The character description was that Horace was 70’s but ill looking. I told the production I don’t fit the description. They replied, Tyler wants you to play it so we’ll make it fit.  I worked on the voice, the temperament and finally I got a walking cane and knew I had found Horace.

What keeps you motivated in such a competitive industry?
They say success in this industry comes from inspiration or desperation. Mine was the latter and a belief that I was good at this if only I could get the right project to show what I bring. 

What does success look like for you?
Lol… When I first came to Hollywood I was riding down Sunset Blvd and I saw all of the pictures of actors on billboards. I remember thinking, when I have my face on a billboard I will know I have made it. That and receiving an Oscar. Years later there was a huge picture of  me on a billboard but it was for modeling. I remember thinking I should be more specific when dreaming. I’m still waiting for that billboard even though The Time Square Megatron had me and other castmates rotating in New York. I’m also still waiting for the Oscar as I feel my best work is yet to come. 

What advice would you give someone who aspires to work as an actor? 
If you believe you can’t, you can’t. If you believe you can, you can. It’s all up to you. Study at school or with someone. Oh, and have patience and persistence. They will come in handy. Lastly, find a way to buy the place where you live. House, apartment, condo, whatever. Rent rooms out to make it work in the beginning if you have to. It’s no fun being a starving artist. 

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