We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Bankhead. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.
Karen, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
It’s possible I was first bitten by the entertainment bug when the circus came to our town. We were living on the Air Force base in Tucson, Arizona and saw the Ringling Bros/Barnum Bailey circus. I remember being beside myself because there were a few children performing alongside their parents — tumbling, swinging on trapezes, riding elephants! Before we could get home, I told my parents that I wanted to join the circus – ASAP! They informed me that those children were part of the show because their parents were circus performers. I cannot tell you the disappointment I felt for quite while that my parents both chose different career paths – rather than the circus life. I eventually got over it, but my sister and I never missed a chance to play circus in the backyard, recreate every TV show we were watching and writing and performing shows for ourselves. I was always involved in the theatre, and playing musical instruments, but the final blow for me was when I was graduating from UCLA. I loved studying Psychology as my major, but I distinctly remember attending a job fair, wearing a fancy business suit my mother sent to me, carrying a brand new leather briefcase with my fresh resume. I walked around Ackerman Ballroom at UCLA for quite some time, and realized none of the recruitment tables were for me. I walked out the door and straight into Hollywood, pursuing a career as a performer.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Etta Mae Mumphries is everybody’s favorite church mother, the black, geriatric Forrest Gump and a hoot in a pink suit. Nobody tells stories like Etta Mae, and nobody knows more famous people. You can find Etta Mae at church gatherings, comedy clubs, corporate events, private parties — any place where people are looking for a clean comedian who can leave their audiences feeling entertained, encouraged and uplifted. Our brand is laughter as medicine and you can peruse through our YouTube channel for a variety of creative, inspirational, spiritual messages and comedy highlights. www.youtube.com/ettamaetv. You can also visit Etta Mae on https://www.tiktok.com/@ettamaetv?lang=en for a taste of the #StayAtHomeChoir, featuring Etta Mae and her two elderly housemates and had to make the best of their time during the pandemic!
Etta Mae is a character created by veteran actress Karen Bankhead. Karen is a classically trained, seriously funny actress! She got the idea to write a funny role for herself at the age of 7, with “Scouterella” a scintillating spin on the story of Cinderella, which debuted in a certain Santa Cruz mountains Girl Scout Camp, with Karen in the starring role.
Karen grew up in an Air Force family and began her acting career on stage, in theaters in Arizona, New York, Southern and Northern California. She grew up in San Jose, CA and received a BA in Psychology from UCLA. She has played a variety of delightful roles including the wacky receptionist “Taylor” on the ABC series “New Attitude,” the ultra-nerd “Adrienne” on “Boston Common” and as “Denise Pendergrass,” the feisty line producer on the debut season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” She has studied at Second City, and was a member of the Groundlings Sunday Company, and founder/producer/writer/performer with the groundbreaking improv groups “Hold the Cream” and “Foxy, Fine and Funny.” She received the NAACP Theatre Award for best supporting actress in 2019. Stand up venues include the World Famous Comedy Store, Ice House, and the Improv. Karen is a former Associate Member of Theatre West, and has performed locally and off-Broadway, including the Antaeus Theatre, 24th Street Theatre, and Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival. Her one woman show, “The V-05 Experience,” has been featured at the San Francisco Fringe, and Official Selection, United Solo Fest in New York City. Writing credits include: contributing screenwriter: Master’ Program in Digital Media, National University; Robey Theatre Playwright’s Lab; Playwright’s Project; Kairos Prize for Screenwriting Semi-Finalist; Short Film Finalist, Broad Humor Festival; Writer’s Well Writing Competition Winner; Ira Aldridge Playwriting Award; LA Times Guest Columnist. Acting credits include: Grey’s Anatomy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, I Am Sam, Kidding, Gilmore Girls, Will & Grace, Reno 911, The Parkers, Bernie Mac Show, The Jamie Foxx Show, Franklin & Bash. Karen is a spokesperson for AdoptUSKids, and is having a ball performing at church, corporate, and comedy venues as
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had to pivot in my career when I realized the importance of creating your own content and vision. It started when I was so focused on one particular audition which did not pan out and the reality that I couldn’t put my eggs in one basket – to just keep auditioning and rolling the dice. I created a show for myself which garnered a lot of attention and that was the beginning of the character Etta Mae Mumphries….and the rest is history!!! That was so long ago, but nowadays, it’s open wide for creative people to just go crazy on TikTok, YouTube, wherever. You can do so much with just your phone and your imagination!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is simply to encourage through laughter. I’ve taken a “no worries”‘ approach to life, and so my idea of success is simple. When I hit the stage or put something out on social media, my goal and prayer is that I will touch or encourage someone, in whatever way they need, even if it’s just one somebody. With that, it doesn’t matter if the audience is one or one thousand, it’s all good. Like the old gospel song says: “If I can can help somebody, along the way, then my living will not be in vain.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karenbankhead.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ettamaetv/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ettamaetv/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-bankhead-6b08115
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ettamaetv
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ettamaetv?lang=en
Image Credits
Laura Burke Photography Daniel Lam Photography Damon Jones, Purpose Video Services