Lauren S. Gordon

About Lauren S. Gordon

When people ask me what I love most about being an actor, I tell them that I have met more amazing people in the last two and a half years than I did in the previous 25. My career is in many ways just getting off the ground, but the small breakthrough roles I have had in numerous films have made me realize that with a lot of hard work, a bit of serendipity and the embrace of networking opportunities, your dreams can come true. My life is a testament to the fact that it's never too late to pursue those long set aside goals. Early in my adult life, I abandoned my creative instincts for the straight and narrow. After earning my B.A. in communications at the University of Pittsburgh, I followed in the footsteps of my attorney father and sister and became a successful attorney in Philadelphia, working for several firms and handling catastrophic medical malpractice and domestic relations cases. I practiced for a while after marrying my husband Len, whom I met in law school. Ultimately though, I put everything aside to raise my children Alec, Davi and Eli. I have no regrets, but ultimately, I realized that I was not a suit and office person. I loved being a stay at home mom for all the years that made practical sense. Pursuing acting was always in the back of my mind but for many years, there just wasn't time. As the kids got older, I decided to give it a go. My attitude was, Why not? I had a lot more confidence now than when I was younger and a very thick skin. I might face tons of rejection - that's the nature of it - but I wouldn't let that deter me. I signed with the Philly based agency MMA and started booking local and regional commercials for everything from car dealerships to beauty creams. I'm a big believer in signs. These little tastes of success inspired me to sign up with Casting Networks. In 2017, I spotted a notice calling for extras on Barry Levinson's HBO film "Paterno," starring Al Pacino. While on the set at MetLife stadium as one of 300 background actors during a game scene, they took photos of us five at a time for an undisclosed purpose. I was happily stunned to learn that Barry had chosen me and a few others for an upgraded speaking role! I got to play a wealthy Nittany Club donor's wife who shook hands with the actor portraying disgraced Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky. It was an exhilarating experience. I'm not sure what Barry saw in me, but I felt like maybe this was my calling all along. It was always a dream, and being picked out of 300 people felt like an open door. Opportunities like that only happen when you're in the right place at the right time. I would tell anyone, no matter their age, who is thinking about pursuing those dreams...go for it! Respond to that posting. Get on that set. You never know what might happen. That single line in "Paterno" made me eligible for SAG membership. Since then, I've had a steady stream of small but interesting parts in movies - including three films by NYPD office and bodyguard turned actor, writer and indie director Steve Stanulis. I have learned that talent alone is not the key to building a career. Connections are crucial. You should talk to everyone you can. You never know who they know or what they can teach you. While on set, I met a fellow actor from Philly who recommended that I contact and study under master on-camera acting coach John Pallotta in NYC and Philadelphia. He's a great actor and has been teaching for over 25 years. Thanks to my law school training, I have ...

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