I used to host a music show on Fuse Television in New York City. After 3 seasons my contract was up for renewal and they decided not to renew it. I must admit that I was a little hurt and disappointed, but I accepted it. After a few months of spending money fast(young & dumb), my resources began to shrink. I decided to return to booking extra work. I was doing extra work on commercials and projects that were above normal pay. But it was still background/extra work. Well, I was called by the amazing casting agency Grant-Wilfley, to go to a selection process for a film. It was me and 4 other guys and we were vying for the role to play Alicia Keys’ boyfriend. So we had to stand in line and she would walk in front of us and we had to pretty much convince her that we were the right one for her. Well, I got selected for the role. It wasn’t a speaking role but it was a major featured role. The day that I received the call that I booked it I also received a call from my agent that I had a callback with the director for a movie role. this was a speaking role and it was a studio film. Guess what? It was on the same day that I was supposed to film the Alicia Keys film. I had a huge choice to make, do I take this for sure check or do I take a chance and audition for a bigger check and a bigger opportunity? I prayed on it and asked my Mother for advice. She told me to do what I felt was the best for my career. So, I decided to pass on the boyfriend role and go to the audition. When I walked up the stair of the casting agency my head was filled with fear and anxiety. I took a deep breath and walked into the waiting room. There were a few actors waiting to audition. Normally before I audition, I go into the bathroom and recite my lines into the mirror. This helps me build confidence. When I tried to get in the bathroom it was locked and occupied. Disappointed I stood next to the bathroom and waited. After a few minutes the door opened and an older gentleman walks out. He gives me a slight smile and says hello. I spoke back and entered the bathroom. It possessed one of the worse smells I encountered in my life. It smelled like hate dipped in aggression, covered in animosity. Whoa! LOL! It was so bad I couldn’t even stay in there. So, I went downstairs and studied on the steps. 10 minutes later my name was called. I gathered as much strength and courage as possible and walked into that audition room with my head up. I walked in and the first person I see is the guy that was in the bathroom. HE WAS THE DIRECTOR! I don’t know why but this gave me so much power and confidence. I got in front of that camera and I gave it all I had. He loved me performance and began to ask me to alter the script to my liking, which I did. I left with an exuberance. 3 days later my agent called me and told me I book the role. The movie was “The Brave One’ with Jodie Foster & Terrence Howard. Not only did my scene make the trailer but it was premiered during the Superbowl.

Taking the risk of turning down a definite situation for the possibility of a major situation was truly life changing. That role ultimately helped me secure my next role in the biopic, “Notorious”. And the rest is……..

Hi, my name is Dennis L.A. White. I’ve been in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. I started as a rapper under the Guise of “Dennis Da Menace”. I transitioned to hosting and acting after my first album. I have been in over 60 movies and TV shows. My most notably roles have been “Kennedy” on BET’s “The Family Business”, “D-Roc” in the film “Notorious”, “Mistah Ray” on “Parenthood” and “Reggie Moses” on “The Closer”. It has been a true honor to perform on the Emmy winning episode of FX’s “Atlanta”. Acting has giving me a platform and an avenue to spread my artistic wings. I have added writer, director and producer to my resume.

I believe it is always about giving back, so I started a company that helps aspiring and established Actors further their acting careers. My company is called, Act Like You Know! I have been in business for well over 12 years and I have impacted the careers of over 1,000 actors across the country. This is my passion and my duty to pass my knowledge along. I want to give actors the crucial gems that can help them see their dreams come to fruition, I love to cast my students in my projects, That’s the goal, to help them become working actors. Anyone that desires to become an actor you can contact us at www.actliekyouknow.org

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is seeing how my characters affect people. I don’t do it for the accolades. I do it for the love of the craft. But meeting people who have followed my career and/or have seen one of my lesser-known films really touches me. It’s a reinforcement that I do great work and my characters have substance. I want to inspire others to believe that they can do it. It being anything they dream of.