Oh, all right, yes, I’m an actor. Heck, I even have a diploma to prove it. But that doesn’t automatically mean they let me act on TV, or anyplace else for that matter (you know how “they” are).
Why? I mean, I’m actually a pretty good actor. The problem is that what they’re looking for, what they’re always looking, for is a type. And I’m not a type.
Years ago, when I was making the rounds in Hollywood, a casting director took me aside, and said, “Listen, your audition was terrific. But I can’t cast you, because I’m looking for a leading man and a quirky best buddy. The leading man needs to be Wow! And you’re just nice-ish-looking, not Wow! The best buddy needs to be goofy-looking. And you’re not that, either, you’re somewhere in between. I don’t need in-betweeners, I need types.”
Still, one major agency offered me an audition. The catch? All three owners had to say yes. They loved the audition! But one of them said no. Why? Because (you guessed it) I wasn’t a definite type. “Don’t feel bad,” he told me, “a ways back I turned down another actor for the same reason. His name was Tim Allen. Now he’s a star, but then he was just an in-betweener like you.”
Ironically, a short time later I had an audition for “a Tim Allen type.” I didn’t get the part. Because I’m not a Tim Allen type.
They say there are five stages in an actor’s life:
- Who’s Mitch Teemley?
- I want that…um, what’s his name…Mitch Teemley guy.
- Get me Mitch Teemley!
- I’m looking for a Mitch Teemley type. Only younger. And cheaper.
- Who’s Mitch Teemley?
Am I bitter? Not a bit. I’m at peace with who I am. And amn’t. I mean, yes, I love acting, but first and foremost: I’m a storyteller. I was born to tell stories. So I write and direct. And sometimes I even write a part for a, you know,
Mitch Teemley type.
Isn’t it nice to ‘discover’ who you are and be at peace?
It is indeed, Dana.
It is good to be at peace. Maybe someday someone is looking for someone at peace.
Maybe a dead body in a crime drama? ;>)
Ha ha ha
Okay cool, yeah I just googled you and you have a Wikipedia page!
I just went to read it too! Great
;>)
You look like you could fit in many different types or rolls, whatever it is they call it.
Thanks, Eileen. I give it my best shot at any rate.
And that Mitch Teemley type was great in Healing River!
Thanks, Joy. You’re the second person to mention my acting in ‘Healing River.’ Which I find rather amusing since I was only an extra, on screen for just a few moments.
When 1883 was filming here in Granbury, I knew it was coming so I grew my beard and hair so I would resemble a Buffalo Bill character. Nope, said I was too old and the walking stick ( cane) didn’t fit in.
Aw, bummer, Phil.
Pretty sure I looked more like Gabby Hayes than John Dutton.
What’s a classic western without Gabby?
You’re so OUR type, Mitch! I love this! I can’t imagine the experiences. By the way, your appearance in your movie, Healing River proves you’re just the right type–MItch Teemley type- I’ve yet to meet someone YOUR type!
I giggled at the descriptions of all your pictures! Once, I was mistaken for an actress (I didn’t resemble Rebecca De Mornay at ALL I.M.O.–but to this person’s credit, the lights WERE dark in that theater). Another time, my then-husband and I were mistaken for Garth Brooks and his first wife (the boys’ dad DID look like Garth and me, the wife? blonde hair? either way, we had special treatment at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede–until they found out we WEREN’T them), AND another time, I was told, in SE MO, that they thought I was Sheryl Crow (I’ll take that–love her). BUT I’m just me. Karla. I finally found my perfect “type” when Jesus said I was completely HIS type, lol!
You’re such a gift to the world, my friend. God bless you!
And bless you, dear friend! Fun hearing about the various people you’ve been mistaken for. ;>)
I don’t know about casting types. If you’re a good actor you should be able to play any type.
I agree, Kathy. But when it comes to small roles, it’s all about a brief impression.
Amazing share, Mitch! Love this.
Thanks, T!
My pleasure.
Musician. Same experience. When asked, “What do you play?” it’s not okay to answer, “Oh, a little folk, a little swing, a little country, some Celtic, light jazz, and I have a gypsy song and some blues except they’re not twelve bar, so technically they’re pop.”
So you scripted your own movies and showed them how to successfully cast inbetweeners. 🙂
So familiar!
You are who you are and they’re all missing out, sir!
<3
Folks in our age group know the phrase your tiitle is based on (I’m not a doctor but I play one on TV’) and it’s still funny. I think young people today don’t know it.
Also funny was the guy saying that in the tv commercial, was a soap opera actor dressed as a doctor, saying – I’m not a doctor. . .and buy this asprin – it’s better than that aspirin’ like it was medical advice. I’m sure the disclaimer was for legal reasons yet still there’s the guy saying I’m pretending to be a doctor, so buy this product !’ hhaha
I know, Kate. I always got a kick out a guy saying, basically, “There’s absolutely no reason why you should take my advice, but do it anyway.”
I’m seeing a touch of Daniel Craig in these head shots—ready for a Bond role?
;>)
Music can be the same as well… someone mentioned Daniel Craig…to me you would make a better Bond.
Aw, thanks, Max, I truly stirred (not shaken) by that compliment.
See! You are perfect!
Despite my typo? (Should read, “I WAS truly stirred.”)
Hey…that’s even better!
I was never a Craig fan. Maybe it’s because of Connery…I have it my mind what Bond is.
Just be glad you never auditioned for Harvey Weinstein.
If you come up Seattle-way some time, we can go out to lunch and I’ll share with you how my role in Iron Man ended up on the cutting room floor… I’m not bitter either, but I was extremely disappointed.
Oh well, our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and that’s probably even better.
Amen, Rob. Fortunately, I don’t think I’m Harvey’s type either. And if you ever make it to Cincinnati, do let me know.
You’re definitely not a type Mitch. You’re unique 😊
A little too unique, I’ve been told. ;>)
This is such a fun write-up, Mitch. While so many would have us typecast into the roles they see us in, so to speak, it only matters what we believe. Only we can truly know ourselves, and be at peace.
P.S. going to look up your work now 😉
Thank you, Isha.
I’m not an actress either but when the mood takes me I am pretty good at borrowing regional accents…… to cheer people up but better than that it cheers me up!
Not all acting happens on a stage. Keep it up!
well, you are a good looking guy. I hope you get a good role too.
Aw, thank you, Maria.
Mitch, I learned a long time ago that if I don’t get the part (or the job or the guy or the college admission, etc.) that it’s because God has something better for me – not necessarily what the world would see as “better,” but better fitting into His plan for ME. I’m at peace, too. (I’m also a storyteller, and some of my best stories start out with a rejection …)
I think when you’re at peace with yourself it helps others be at peace with themselves.
Suave Mitch looks like Leslie Nielsen 😎
Darryl, if you’d phrased that, “Surely, you know you look like Leslie Nielsen,” I’d have had the perfect response line.
Ha ha 10-4, good buddy 😉
Mitch, I am glad that you are who you are. Your talents are a gift and I am still enjoying Healing River.
That’s so kind of you to say, Julie. And I’m glad ‘Healing River’ still speaks to you.
Great storytelling as always, Mitch! If you had gotten some of those roles, Healing River might never have happened. We have to follow God’s “casting!”
;>) Thank you, Peggy!
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