SKNR pulled up a chair and had a lyrical wax with Hollywood up-and-comer Kelvin O’Bryant, one of the cast members of the new sitcom Table Manners.
Where do you hail from Kelvin? Hollywood born-and-bred?
I am from good ole Irmo, South Carolina, the total opposite of Hollywood. I remember being a child looking for Irmo on the map and not being able to find it….because it wasn’t there.
Has it been a long journey for you, or have you been relatively lucky?
I’d say it’s been a long lucky journey. Moving across the country by myself, getting used to living in a big city, and having to break into this crazy business with very limited contacts was definitely trying. But, I’ve been beyond lucky with the people I’ve met and worked with. They all have taught me one thing or another that continues to help me on this ride.
Your latest gig is TV sitcom Table Manners. Tell us how you got the role?
I got a call from my Agents over at Clear Talent Group saying they had a script I needed to read and I fell in love with the material immediately. I auditioned for Angel Gracia (Director), Betty Sullivan (Writer), and Sandra Avila (Producer) on a Sunday afternoon and was offered the part the very next day.
Can you describe your character?
I play Reginald “Reggie” Darling. Reggie suffers from what is now known as Disinhibited Social Engagement disorder. Basically, he thinks everybody he meets is his best friend. He does not abide by “normal” social boundaries. He developed this disorder because of his childhood being full of foster homes and halfway houses. Reggie never had consistent positive emotional support as a child and it deeply effected his development.
Is the show recorded live in front of a studio audience? If so, how do you handle that?
Table Manners isn’t recorded live, but if it were I would love it!! There is nothing like the energy you get from performing in front of a group of people, especially doing comedy.
Is this the first sitcom for you?
Nope. I recently Guest Starred on the sitcom “The First Family” where I got to work with comedy legends John Witherspoon and Jackee Harris. It was like taking a master class in comedic timing, preparation, and just having fun.
Most actors have had to work a ‘normal’ job at some point in their life. Have you?
Oh man, where to begin? I worked at Banana Republic, I worked as a personal assistant, I babysat, I worked at Lamps Plus, I house/dog sat, I worked in the fitness center/spa at a hotel. I made my mind up when I moved that I was not leaving. I only recently got a car, so I bussed it everywhere. I remember one day where I had to open the gym at 5am, which meant I had to catch the 4am bus, then work 8 hours, hop back on the bus for a 2 hour bus ride to the valley for an audition, hop back on the bus for another 1 hour ride to another audition, then another hour bus ride back to Santa Monica to take care of some errands for the Occupational Therapist I was working for as a personal assistant. Needless to say, I was exhausted at the end of the day, but I would do it all over again if I had to.
