Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Moreno

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I grew up in the Mount Pleasant project housing in New Britain, CT.

It may sound cliche but where I’m from you wind up selling drugs, going to jail, getting killed, going to the military, or being a teenage parent. Often times more than one of these come true.

I don’t know when and where it happened but I always felt I wanted more. Like the life I was living and given was a lie and I had to find out where the escape door was to ensure I wouldn’t fall into any of the above outcomes of life.

I always loved movies. It’s one of my love languages. Growing up going to the movies was an event, it happened on special occasions like birthdays and when we were doing well financially. It was an escape. And Television was a staple in my household, for better or worse.

At some point I just started saying I wanted to be an actor. I pulled that thought back a lot because I was poor and didn’t feel handsome enough to be an actor, albeit I was a kid and didn’t realize I’d blossom into man with the confidence I did not have then. I suppressed that dream often. How do you even start?

Luckily the internet was in full swing and you could just google how to be an actor. I can’t say that I ever found a legitimate source for an answer, partly because there is no clear cut way to be an actor. But the answers I found in blogs gave me enough insight into what the next steps were… Theatre. Plenty of actors whom I loved started there. The problem was there is virtually no theatre where I come from, save for the one community theatre in the downtown area of my home city. There was that production of Annie I didn’t do or see in elementary school – other than that, nada. But to be fair most places don’t have a Theatre scene, I learned this as I got older and realized that all actors flock to 2 places for their chance. And so that’s what I was going to do. And to prepare id go to my local university that happened to have a Theatre program to get my feet wet.

I had no idea what I was doing and no one to guide me. But I had a dream and nothing to loose. That was enough.

Fast forward to 13 years later after deciding I’d get a BFA in theatre from a no name university with zero alumni of note who are thriving in the field (I’d like to think I am the first) and I’ve worked with countless Theatre companies. In the past 4 years amidst a pandemic and a strike – both once in a lifetime events that have severely impacted the profession I work in – I’ve done 6 co star/ guest star appearances on major network shows. I’m invited constantly to auditions for more and get callbacks for most, I’m on the cusp of a major breakthrough it feels!…. But still very much in the grind. The story isn’t over and while sometimes I want to rush the process and get to my destination the path there is really the fun part. It’s exciting and nerve wrecking and devastating and rewarding and a fucking mess all at the same time.

While I’m not where I want to be I am light years away from where I started. And that’s always a cause for celebration. When I take a step back and look at the picture thus far I’m proud.

Take that first step. The journey is long and arduous but as you take a breathe along the journey to rest and reflect you can celebrate the progress you’ve made even if the journey isn’t done. It’s been the most rewarding part of my life and my journey.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

The road has never been smooth. It’s been a marathon the entire way. And if you’ve ran a marathon before it’s felt like miles 15-20 for years. Miles 15-20 for me is the point in the race where you’re tested the most. You’ve already ran over a half marathon and your body is aching. It’s begging for you to stop. This is the point where you really have to hype yourself up and push but everything is telling you know. But you’re more than halfway you can’t quit now!

The lulls of being an artist feel like miles 15-20. You’ve gotten this far, and yet there is so much more to go. And you’re tired. You’ve been doing this for so long you want to stop. It feels like it’ll never end. But you’ve also come so far. The next gig could be just right around the corner. If you hold on for one more day that audition might reap a huge win! You may get the audition of a lifetime if you just hold on for one more day.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I’m a Film/ TV/ Theatre actor. I’ve worked mostly in the Bay Area Theatre scene before moving to NY to work more exclusively in TV/ and Film and hopefully Broadway.

I’m a Union member with SAG and AEA which are both huge accomplishments for me.

I’m worked on over half a dozen major network shows as a featured guest star. Shows like Chicago P.D. and Law and Order.

I’m most proud of my work in some of the lesser known projects I’ve done. I’ve done shows for audiences of a few hundred and audiences of less than 10. In the audiences of less than 10 when I show up and still do the work and it’s a packed house, that’s what fulfills me as an artist. Overcoming ego to do the work and honoring every audience member even if there is only one

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?

You can follow me on IMDB – Ed Gonzalez Moreno

My website is Ed Gonzalez Moreno.com and my IG where I post wins along my journey is @emoreno3393

Contact Info:

• Website: https://edgonzalezmoreno.com
• Instagram: emoreno3393

Image Credits

@headshotsbyida