Conversations with Brian Lafontaine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Lafontaine.

Hi Brian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins waaaaayyyyyy back in the late 1900’s. I got my introduction into show business the way most people do. By losing my golf scholarship in college. Yup, true story. I had a very small scholarship to play golf for a very small school in Salisbury, NC. It didn’t take them long to find out that I actually kind of suck at golf and they kicked me off the team and took my scholarship back. So, I did what any washed-up-has-been-former-student athlete would do in that situation. I went into stand up comedy. Of course, I did! Who wouldn’t? I did stand up whenever I had the chance over the next 3 years. Shortly after graduation, my roommate talked me into auditioning for a play in Charlotte. I didn’t go to school to be an actor. I got my degree in Communications which focused primarily on speech communications and interpersonal communications. I might have been qualified to work the drive-thru at Burger King. That’s it. So, I went an auditioned for these two plays this theater was producing from a Neil Simon trilogy. I got the lead…in both shows. Brian, Deep end. Deep end, Brian. I can say in all honesty, that being an actor was secretly what I always wanted to do ever since I was a kid. But, I come from the smallest state in the country from a very working class family who didn’t have the ability or first clue, for that matter, how to encourage a young kid to dream big and become an actor. But, somehow it happened anyway. The director of the show, who ended up becoming my acting coach and one of my best friends said, “You should be doing this for a living.” Then I went to work the next day, went into the men’s room and threw up. I knew he was right. I knew that’s truly what I wanted to be doing. Fortunately, there was a woman in the cast of those plays with me who was also a local talent agent. She took me with her to JTA Talent in Charlotte, NC and they began submitting me for movies, tv shows, commercials and every other aspect of the entertainment and acting world. Thirty plus years later, here I am. They’re still my agents to this day. I was determined to make this a career. I’ve appeared in over 50 movies and tv shows, dozens upon dozens of commercials, thousands of voiceovers. I’ve performed in front of every type of audience you can think of. I’ve been able take all that experience and grow into directing, coaching other actors, and help them get booked on some really great work. I’m incredibly fortunate to have been able to piece together enough to turn this into an actual career. People ask me, “How have you lasted this long?” and I tell them “I think I just got used to it.” I’ve gotten used to the uncertainty. The instability. There hasn’t been a day over the past 30 years when I’ve had job security. There has hardly been a day over the past 30 years where I haven’t been trying to get a new job. And, there hasn’t been a day over the past 30 years where I haven’t wondered, “What happens if today’s the day it stops?” Then what? What am I even qualified to do at this point? A couple of years ago I had to take a serious look at the answer to that question. Things shifted. Whether it was the industry, the region I lived in, my age or a combination of all those things, I suddenly found myself without a lot of opportunities. I thought, “Ok, here it is. The thing you’ve been trying to avoid for the past 3 decades.” I was really scared, because I didn’t think I had anything else to offer. I didn’t know if I had any use outside of the entertainment industry. That Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law said I should really think about public speaking and offering my services as a public speaking coach. It was pretty much a no brainer. That made perfect sense, and it was a perfect fit. Now I found myself in a new position. Building a brand new business…from scratch. Something I had never done before. Uncharted territory. This was never part of the plan. All of a sudden I had two jobs. The acting career that I’m holding onto with both hands, trying to keep it alive using all the life saving techniques I’ve used numerous times playing doctors on tv, and this new business in public speaking that I’m still building. It’s been an incredible experience. To be able to help someone else achieve their goals of performing in front of an audience, even in a corporate or professional setting, in a way they weren’t capable of before is more gratifying than I ever imagined. There’s been nothing like taking my skills as an actor and professional story teller to help someone else get over their fears and anxiety so they can share a part of who they are. It’s crazy to think that I’ve spent so many years trying to get someone to pay attention to me, look at me, choose me, hire me, book me. But, all of that was leading me to this. Giving me the skills and ability to make it about the audience. To share what I have with them for their benefit. It’s not about me. It was never about me. That’s the way it should’ve been all along.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh God, no. There has been nothing smooth about it. It’s been constant uncertainty. I’ve never known from one week to the next, in some cases one day to the next, if was going to have a job. I tell people, “Every day is a day off and every day is a work day.” It’s the entertainment industry. There are never any guarantees, and it’s very difficult to “move up” in the business. It’s not like most other professions where after a certain amount of time with the company it’s only natural to move up the ranks or be considered for a higher position. That’s not the case in the acting world. One job does not necessarily build off another into bigger and better things. I’ve always had to assume that each time I walk off set, that’s it. It could be the last job I ever get booked on. The same is true in public speaking. I have to continually seek out new clients and new speaking opportunities, and create new opportunities for myself. Again, I think it’s just something that I’ve gotten used to.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been a professional actor for over thirty years. I’ve worked in just about every aspect of the acting business. I love doing theater, but it’s very difficult to make a living this way. Theater doesn’t pay very much, in many cases. There aren’t a lot of professional theater opportunities in my area which only makes it that much more challenging. I guess I’m known for being the guy who always has something going on, whether it be on-camera, onstage, or behind a microphone. I’ve worked very hard to be as good as I can possibly be at every aspect of the industry, in order to take advantage of as many opportunities that come along. I am by no means famous or even recognizable, for that matter. People aren’t tuning in to see me. When people ask me what I do and I tell them I’m an actor, I usually have to spend a few minutes proving it to them. I get a lot looks of suspicious disbelief followed by the question, “Have I seen you in anything?” I think what I’m most proud of is the work that I’m doing now in public speaking. I’m able to use everything from my creative side as an actor and put it into sharing a message and stories of hope, encouragement, possibility or inspiration with a group of people. Or, giving someone else the opportunity to take center stage and share their story to inspire others. I know this will sound like a cliche, but it is the truth. I’ve had the good fortune to be the center of attention and take an audience for a ride on an adventure countless times and it’s incredible. There’s nothing else like it. So, if I can help someone feel that same feeling even for a moment in order for them to be seen and be heard, well that’s the ballgame. That means everything. It almost never fails that I get so caught up trying to connect with the audience or help people in a workshop or coaching session that I forget to promote myself and my business, because that’s not the most important thing. Their success is.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I’ve been told it’s my personality. I’m very outgoing and I have a fun sense of humor that puts people at ease and let’s them know that I don’t take myself too seriously. And, that the work we’re doing is supposed to be fun. I’m very disarming and I make people feel safe. I’ve also been told that I’m very reliable. Clients know that when they hire me they’re going to leave with a finished product or piece that they can use and be proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brianlafontaine.com
• Instagram: @blafontaineymhs
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-lafontaine/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0480961/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_brian%2520lafonta