We were lucky to catch up with ERIN GAVIN recently and have shared our conversation below.

ERIN, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In my early twenties, I moved to Los Angeles alone, knowing no one and leaving everything behind and with just enough to get me going. Armed only with hope and a dream, I embraced the unknown. Though naive about the ways of Hollywood, I navigated life successfully and built wonderful friendships. Hollywood has been kind to me in many ways.

At one point, I was ready to give up and go home, but then I got an audition to play Marilyn Monroe. I decided to go for it! Unfortunately, the night before the casting, I was hit by a car and missed the audition. I fractured my hip and suffered a severe concussion. Refusing to give up, I contacted casting a few weeks later. They asked me to sing “Happy Birthday Mr. President” on tape. Afterward, they invited me in, as they had not yet found their Marilyn.

Three weeks later, I auditioned in person, and three hours later, they offered me the role. It changed my life! I went on to play Marilyn in hit plays, including off-Broadway and the West End of London, as well as in films, documentaries, audiobooks, and fashion lines. My Hollywood career took off.

I now bounce back and forth between the UK and the US, making films both behind and in front of the camera. I’ve also become a recording artist, thanks to singing Monroe songs on stage.

The moral of the story is: take the risk.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I was a little girl, I was captivated by the black-and-white movies my Granny loved to watch. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were mesmerizing to me. I adored the movie “Annie” so much that I begged my Granny to take me to an audition for the local theatre production. This was the beginning of my journey into acting. I went on to perform in more plays and landed my first role in the Scottish TV series “Taggart.” My career then snowballed, leading to roles in shows out of London, such as “EastEnders,” “Footballers’ Wives,” and numerous hit plays. My career throughout has had its highs and lows but that is the nature of the beast.

Driven by a desire to help other talent in Scotland, I founded my agency, EGA. I also invested in property development, and I still run both companies today. My career in the US opened up even more opportunities, including writing my own column in tabloids and magazines, giving keynote speeches at Stanford University, the Clinton Foundation, and Silicon Valley’s largest entrepreneur convention. I was also honored with the role of Ambassador by the US Government.

Life has its ups and downs, but it’s important to keep going. While I’ve highlighted some exciting achievements, I’ve also faced many lows. I am incredibly thankful to everyone who has supported me on my journey in this crazy world of entertainment.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Not 100% fitting with the question but a lesson/reminder for us all.
Everyone smiles and does their best. But remember behind every smile someone is going through something so be kind to everyone. We are all flawed and all just human

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Please see my inital story regarding Marilyn casting

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eringavin.biz
• Instagram: eringavinartist
• Facebook: erin gavin
• Linkedin: eringavin
• Twitter: eringavinartist
• Youtube: Erin Gavin Acting
• Other: For Music – Erin Gavinspotify
  itunes
  Deezer
  Youtube

Image Credits

Jac wong image credit – all except –
Black white image only – Ash Gupta