From Villains to Dads: Matthew Letscher on Roles from “Zorro” and “The Flash” to "Suits LA"

Finding His Path and Early MentorshipLetscheramp8217s path into acting wasnamp8217t always clear amp8220When I was in collegeamp8230 I knew I liked acting I knew I loved doing theater but I never really thought Iamp8217d make a living doing itamp8221 he recalled That changed after attending a workshop with legendary acting teacher Uta Hagen amp8220She totally changed my perspective on what the craft was what it could beamp8230 After that workshop the summer after my freshman year I decided I was going to get a degree in theateramp8221He credits actor Jeff Daniels who cast him in The Tropical Pickle at the Purple Rose Theatre for helping launch his film career amp8220Even back then I knew how stupidly lucky I wasamp8230 Jeff helped me get my first part in a movie which was Gettysburgamp8221Another formative mentor was his college professor Richard Clutch amp8220He said amp8216I think if you keep doing what youamp8217re doing youamp8217re gonna find your way in this businessamp8217 That was a massive moment for me You need those moments from people you respectamp8221Embracing Villains and Genre VersatilityWhile fans may know him best as a villain Letscher never set out to be typecast amp8220Early on I had more than my fair share of the good guys tooamp8230 Theyamp8217re just not as memorable as the bad guysamp8221 he said From sitcoms to period dramas the unpredictability of early roles gave him space to grow amp8220I loved the unpredictability of my early careeramp8230 I just wanted to workamp8221Still playing villains came with its perks amp8220I love the Captain Love and Reverse Flash kind of bad guys because those are just so obviousamp8230 They donamp8217t have to have any conscienceamp8221As for what he hasnamp8217t done yet amp8220A really good horror movie would be super funamp8230 Jordan Peele or Ryan Coogler if youamp8217re listening I wouldnamp8217t mind an opportunityamp8221amp160amp160From Suits to Sitcoms Balancing New ProjectsMost recently Letscher has appeared in two very different series NBCamp8217s Suits LA and CBSamp8217 Georgie and Mandyamp8217s First Marriage amp8220Itamp8217s almost like the two halves of my careeramp8230 Georgie and Mandy is how I spent the first part and Suits is how I spent the secondamp8221 he saidHe particularly values the experience of performing in front of a live studio audience amp8220You get to basically do a little play every weekamp8230 Thatamp8217s really gratifyingamp8221In Suits LA he plays opposite Stephen Amell a reunion for fans of the Arrowverse amp8220Weamp8217re in a room or an office or a hallwayamp8230 Dad and son going at it What made me nervous early on wasamp8230 Iamp8217m not that much older than Stephenamp8221 Visual effects helped with the age gap amp8220They aged me up about 10 years in post Itamp8217s incredibleamp8221Advice for the Next GenerationWhen asked what advice heamp8217d give to young actors looking to break in Letscher didnamp8217t hesitate amp8220Build community Work as much as you can And create your own work as much as you canamp8221 He elaborated amp8220Youamp8217re building your communityamp8230 Itamp8217s through word of mouth in that community that things spread Little connections like thatamp8230 develop into a careeramp8221He urged new actors not to dismiss small opportunities amp8220You might turn up your nose at that play being done at a 20seat theater downtownamp8230 but what youamp8217re doing is going to the gymamp8221Creating your own content whether its a play a short film or on social media is just as vital amp8220Engaging in the process putting yourself out in the world is really important You never know how anythingamp8217s going to work out You just have to startamp8221And his final words of wisdom amp8220Donamp8217t be afraid to look foolishamp8221You can see Matthew Letscher on Suits LA streaming on Peacock and Georgie and Mandyamp8217s First Marriage on ParamountClick the social buttons to share this story with colleagues and friendsThe opinions expressed here are the author39s views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillageorgMyersBizNet

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From Villains to Dads: Matthew Letscher on Roles from “Zorro” and “The Flash” to "Suits LA"

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From Villains to Dads: Matthew Letscher on Roles from “Zorro” and “The Flash” to "Suits LA"

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