Everyone has a story to tell, and on a new episode of my entertainment news podcast “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee” available this week, we take a look at the story of Avery Mason – a big talent on his way up.
Avery Mason is in the midst of a blossoming television career. He is known throughout the world for his portrayal of Black Grimace on the hit Starz series “Power.” And, he’s appeared on such shows as “The Good Wife”, “The Last OG”, “Gotham”, and “The Punisher.” That’s not too shabby for a standup comic who got into acting as a way to eat for free.
In my talk with Avery, he revealed that he got his start in television as a background player – also commonly known as an “extra”. However, Avery ran into some challenges there. Background performers are supposed to blend into the scenery and not stand out or draw attention to themselves. That can be a challenge for someone of Avery’s physical status.
But he did get to eat for free every day he was on set. So, Avery set out a goal to appear as an extra on every show being shot in New York. And he accomplished most of that goal. He appeared as a background player on “Law & Order”, “Orange is the New Black”, and other hit series filmed out of the Big Apple.
Then came the show “Power” where he was deemed too big and menacing to be a background player. That was disappointing to Avery because that was one particular show he really wanted to be on.
Although he was deemed too big to be in the background for “Power”, when the show needed a big guy for a featured role, Avery was just what they were looking for. Then, after showing off his friendly personality and professional attitude off camera, the creator of the TV hit expanded Avery’s part into a regular member of the cast.
One of the pieces of advice I often give my actor clients is to know their type. While I’m not saying someone shouldn’t pursue their dream roles, the fact is that like many professions, acting is a number game. The more times you try to hit a single target, the better the chance that you’ll succeed.
An actor is far more likely to get cast playing roles that match their specific type. Take me for example: As a middle-aged bald man, I have a lot more chance of getting cast as Daddy Warbucks in “Annie” than as of the Tribe in “Hair”.
At 6’4 and 260 lbs, Avery is a brick wall of a man – big and solid. Even though he can be a teddy bear in real life, Avery has the looks of a beast. And he realizes that’s his type. By embracing the fact that he’s a big intimidating guy, Avery has a very successful acting career.
I remember giving the “know your type” talk to an actor I met doing a production of “West Side Story” – a show I’ve done over 20 productions of. I’d done so many appearances in “West Side Story” because I myself had come to realize my type. For 20 years I played teenagers, because that’s what I looked like. Now that I’ve outgrown my teen appearance, I am coming to terms with being a different “type.”
The cast member I gave advice to was playing the character of Diesel – the biggest, brute of all the gang members in the show. Like Avery, this actor was about 6’4 with lots of muscles. Although he wanted to be a romantic leading man, my friend’s physical stature stereotyped him for roles like Diesel. My position is, why fight it?
If the goal is to get work, and you are being offered work because of your intimidating look, don’t poo poo the idea. The idea is to work – and you’re being given the chance. Don’t throw it away because you wish you were a different “type”. Embrace the reality of what your type is.
That’s something Avery realized right off the bat. And it’s worked well for him as an actor. There is another side to his entertainment career, though. A silly side.
While Avery Mason is a giant of a man, the laughs come easy for him. As a standup comic, he delights audiences throughout the New York area and is eyeing taking his comedy material on the road to clubs around the country or adapting it for a television special.
If you are into podcasts like “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee”, you may also want to check out Avery’s show. He hosts the “IDK Tho” podcast with fellow comedian Phil Hunt – sponsored by Magic Mind (www.magicmind.com/idktho) and Julo.Shop (www.Julo.Shop) The YouTube version is available at Youtube.com/@idkthopod.
As a talented actor and comedian, Avery Mason is on the way up. You’ll enjoy getting to know Avery when you listen to “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee” this week. So make plans to listen on your favorite podcast platform. And if you enjoy our show, be sure to suggest it to your friends, family, and colleagues.
“It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee” is your backstage pass to all things entertainment. If you’re in the mood for a really fun interview with one of the stars of “Power”, you’ll love my chat with Avery Mason. He’s a cool cat with a big heart and a big forehead – and if you want to understand that reference, you have all the more incentive to catch this week’s episode.
Listen Now https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rikkileetravolta
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/nExBYWIRBGb
For more information on Avery Mason visit his website at www.AveryMasonOfficial.com. Follow him on Instagram at @averymasonofficial.
As I like to say at the end of each episode, I’ll see you in the spotlight.
In my talk with Avery, he revealed that he got his start in television as a background player – also commonly known as an “extra”. However, Avery ran into some challenges there. Background performers are supposed to blend into the scenery and not stand out or draw attention to themselves. That can be a challenge for someone of Avery’s physical status.
But he did get to eat for free every day he was on set. So, Avery set out a goal to appear as an extra on every show being shot in New York. And he accomplished most of that goal. He appeared as a background player on “Law & Order”, “Orange is the New Black”, and other hit series filmed out of the Big Apple.
Then came the show “Power” where he was deemed too big and menacing to be a background player. That was disappointing to Avery because that was one particular show he really wanted to be on.
Although he was deemed too big to be in the background for “Power”, when the show needed a big guy for a featured role, Avery was just what they were looking for. Then, after showing off his friendly personality and professional attitude off camera, the creator of the TV hit expanded Avery’s part into a regular member of the cast.
One of the pieces of advice I often give my actor clients is to know their type. While I’m not saying someone shouldn’t pursue their dream roles, the fact is that like many professions, acting is a number game. The more times you try to hit a single target, the better the chance that you’ll succeed.
An actor is far more likely to get cast playing roles that match their specific type. Take me for example: As a middle-aged bald man, I have a lot more chance of getting cast as Daddy Warbucks in “Annie” than as of the Tribe in “Hair”.
At 6’4 and 260 lbs, Avery is a brick wall of a man – big and solid. Even though he can be a teddy bear in real life, Avery has the looks of a beast. And he realizes that’s his type. By embracing the fact that he’s a big intimidating guy, Avery has a very successful acting career.
I remember giving the “know your type” talk to an actor I met doing a production of “West Side Story” – a show I’ve done over 20 productions of. I’d done so many appearances in “West Side Story” because I myself had come to realize my type. For 20 years I played teenagers, because that’s what I looked like. Now that I’ve outgrown my teen appearance, I am coming to terms with being a different “type.”
The cast member I gave advice to was playing the character of Diesel – the biggest, brute of all the gang members in the show. Like Avery, this actor was about 6’4 with lots of muscles. Although he wanted to be a romantic leading man, my friend’s physical stature stereotyped him for roles like Diesel. My position is, why fight it?
If the goal is to get work, and you are being offered work because of your intimidating look, don’t poo poo the idea. The idea is to work – and you’re being given the chance. Don’t throw it away because you wish you were a different “type”. Embrace the reality of what your type is.
That’s something Avery realized right off the bat. And it’s worked well for him as an actor. There is another side to his entertainment career, though. A silly side.
While Avery Mason is a giant of a man, the laughs come easy for him. As a standup comic, he delights audiences throughout the New York area and is eyeing taking his comedy material on the road to clubs around the country or adapting it for a television special.
If you are into podcasts like “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee”, you may also want to check out Avery’s show. He hosts the “IDK Tho” podcast with fellow comedian Phil Hunt – sponsored by Magic Mind (www.magicmind.com/idktho) and Julo.Shop (www.Julo.Shop) The YouTube version is available at Youtube.com/@idkthopod.
As a talented actor and comedian, Avery Mason is on the way up. You’ll enjoy getting to know Avery when you listen to “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee” this week. So make plans to listen on your favorite podcast platform. And if you enjoy our show, be sure to suggest it to your friends, family, and colleagues.
“It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee” is your backstage pass to all things entertainment. If you’re in the mood for a really fun interview with one of the stars of “Power”, you’ll love my chat with Avery Mason. He’s a cool cat with a big heart and a big forehead – and if you want to understand that reference, you have all the more incentive to catch this week’s episode.
Listen Now https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rikkileetravolta
