In the Fall of 2023, following the lengthy writers’ and actors’ strikes, the entertainment industry was uncertain and volatile. Many creatives, including myself, were left navigating the aftermath, grappling with depleted savings and fading hope. Just as the holiday season approached, an unexpected opportunity arrived—a script for a holiday feature titled ‘Our Little Secret,’ starring none other than Lindsay Lohan. The role of ‘Leonard’ was offered to me, a character described as a man in his sixties, which initially felt daunting—Hollywood often insists on youth and appearance over age and experience.
Despite my reservations about aging on screen, the prospect of working alongside Kristin Chenoweth—someone I had admired for years—was tempting. My past roles had often involved me as a husband, but this time felt different. The script wasn’t extensive; Leonard had limited dialogue and appeared in few scenes. I grappled with my ego, fearing that accepting such a small part would undermine my two-decade career.
As I pondered the offer, a conversation with my former boss, Shonda Rhimes, echoed in my mind. In her book, she highlighted how losing oneself occurs gradually, one rejection at a time. I reflected on my early days as an actor when I would have welcomed any opportunity. With a renewed mindset, I decided to embrace the role, acknowledging that it was a chance to grow and challenge myself.
February found me in Atlanta, where I joined an incredible cast that included Chenoweth, Ian Harding, and Tim Meadows. Our time together was both enriching and enjoyable. We worked collaboratively to breathe life into our characters and create a believable family dynamic, both on and off the screen. Leonard’s character developed, becoming more integral to the storyline as layers of his relationship with Kristin’s character unfolded.
The experience turned out to be one of the highlights of my career. Not only did I gain a deeper friendship with Kristin, but I also formed lasting connections with my co-stars. ‘Our Little Secret’ is set to premiere on Netflix on November 27th, and I am grateful for the journey that led me to say ‘yes’ to this opportunity, proving once again that sometimes the best roles are the ones we least expect.
