Passion Series: Darrin Charles, former State of Wisconsin Football Player of the year, turned Actor and Model
As if standing at 6'6 and weighing at a lean 205 lbs was not enough, Darrin Charles also has a personality that will guarantee to win you over. I was hanging out in a hotel room at the Mondrian after a hot couple of hours on the rooftop pool for a friends birthday when Darrin walks in with his big smile. At that moment in time, little did I know that I would be doing an interview on him for my Passion Series.
The crew headed out to Toca Madera where Darrin and I really got to know each other. We connected on so many different levels that once I found out that he acted and modeled, I knew we had to do a shoot together. The following week we set a date, time, and location. While we bounced ideas back and forth on what the concept of the shoot should be, the thought to interview him came rushing into my head. I gave Darrin a summary on what the Passion Series was all about, and if he would be down for it. YES, was the answer and the rest was history. Now here we are. Check out Darrin's story below and enjoy the imagery to go along with it.
Images by Mark Mendoza - Would you mind introducing yourself, and telling us who Darrin Charles is?
Darrin Charles - What version of Darrin Charles do I give hahaha. Naw, I’m kidding. I’m a middle child with two other brothers who was born in the Midwest. St. Paul, MN to be exact but spent most of my life near Oshkosh, WI. Yes, thats where Oshkosh B’ Gosh jeans were from. They are no longer there. People always seem to recognize that so I might as well get that out of the way! I was raised in the inner city and then spent much of my life living in the country side, per say. I’d say much of who I am comes from my experiences like most. I love city life and am just as comfortable on a farm or in the country. I enjoy country music and trucks and rugged outdoor activities and at the same time love a urban living environment with the experiences and amenities that urban lifestyles bring. I was an athlete my entire life and loved competing and was able to do that at a really high level. I was the State of Wisconsin Football Player of the year my senior year and did very well in Track & Field and Basketball. I grew tired of the exterior development I had been working on throughout my life and really wanted to explore my internal development which prompted me to walk away from NFL contracts. I’ve become increasing committed to my art and am “violently fighting to get my work out there”. I’m seeing some progress and it feels good to live with so much passion again. I am an Actor and Model living in Los Angeles, California.
IbMM- How did you get your start in Acting?
DC - Hmmm…you would think I’d remember right off the top of my head what lead me to acting but nothing comes to mind. Well… I had a friend who I had recently met at the time and he worked at a boutique modeling agency here in the heart of Hollywood. Turned out we went to the same university and had mutual friends. We had never met until Los Angeles and once we did I started learning more about the industry. It was a very slow process trying to explore it, to see if it was really for me. So yeah, my acting started with an interest to begin modeling. Honestly, I had the faintest of desires to pursue Acting but never thought it was a possibility for me. I played sports in college so most of my life and identity was wrapped in athletics. It really took some time to grow out of that mode and evolve. I’m here now though hahaha.
IbMM - How does acting make you feel?
DC - Ahhh man…ugghh, it’s everything. I think you feel every emotion in this career path. The process of what it takes to be an actor is incredibly challenging and at the same time so rewarding. You really feel the joys of working with great people on great projects and the challenges of not getting the roles you’d really like. Acting, like many things isn’t only about the process but its about the lifestyle it brings with it as an artist. You really have to be an active participant the whole way.
IbMM - What has been your biggest accomplishment thus far, or proudest moment?
DC - I think for me there are so many accomplishments that come along with the journey. So many moments to be proud of. I remember celebrating when I made it through one year of living in Los Angeles. Then there was getting that agent or working with a specific agency. Seeing yourself turn a corner in your career is also a major accomplishment that leaves you feeling incredible. The thing that stands out to me is my resilience to continue my path. Even in the face of adversity that life brings you and the amount of rejection you can receive from the industry. Its the ability to push forward. I’m quite proud of that.
IbMM - What was the hardest lesson you learned on your journey so far?
DC - That one is really gonna take a moment for me to sift through. Waiting. That is the hardest lesson to learn. You simply cannot wait to start taking the steps forward toward your career or goals. Its said that you must walk before you can run and that is very true. The faster you can get to running the faster you will reach the goals you’ve set for yourself. Time keeps ticking so don’t wait whenever possible, just GO.
IbMM - Is there an audition where you thought you killed it, but didn't get the part?
DC - Hahaha, that happens often. But on the other side of that you can leave a room and feel like “What the hell was that?”. Then find that they either loved you and it didn’t work out for many other unknown reasons. Or they love you and are wanting to bring you back for another audition. Its a six of one and a half a dozen of the other. Not sure if thats the phrase, but it makes the point. Sometimes teachers say not to watch yourself or your work and I can understand and respect that theory. I’m in an audition technique class now and we get the chance to review our work with a critique. Thats where you get to see how that feeling you have in the room translates into the results you give. I’m not sure there is too much of a correlation from what I’ve gathered. You really do the best you can and then let it live there and trust that what is meant for you will be.
IbMM - If you could tell your 18 year old self anything, what would it be?
DC - BUCKLE UP. Life is a heck of a ride. It will take you places you could never have imagined. How did a deeply seeded desire or experience then show up and manifest into your life in ways you wouldn’t have expected. I used to love entertaining my family as a child. Putting on a mask and becoming characters. Living in a small town to then having a full life invested in sports to then come back to child like curiosity and the pursuit of entertaining others. I find that fascinating. But also, life happens and time progresses so stay open, take risks, and don’t be afraid of your greatness.
IbMM - What's one piece of advice you could give for anyone wanting to do what you do?
DC - Start when you can as soon as you can. Your work might not meet the quality that you expected but from that it can and will grow and improve. Knowing that ONE aspect is something you only learn through experience. To understand that is to put you on a faster track to improvement and success. It simply won’t be world renowned work but it will evolve quickly and that’s a good place to be.
IbMM - Do you have any inspirations?
DC - Inspiration for me is found in so many things and everything can be a source of inspiration. Uhhh, specifically I finished reading the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck” haha that was a great read. I have yet to tackle “The War of Art”. I recently seen inspiration in Hisham Tawfiq. He is an actor on Blacklist. A guy who has a relatively small resume but landed a fantastic role and has been able to grow his role and body of work through that opportunity. It really shows you that the right opportunities will find you when you are ready for them. That inspires me. I think I discovered that in the last 24 hours. I’m inspired by people who take risks. Not overtly dangerous or unusual risks but those who are impassioned. I’m taking that inspiration to heart. I booked a one way ticket to Europe with no plans other then hopping through Europe to enjoy other cultures and meet great people and have incredible experiences. I’m ready stoke my fires even further and come back as a richer and more inspired person. Hopefully that will translate to every area of my life!
IbMM - Do you have any personal mantra's, or favorite quotes you always reference?
DC - I can remember myself uttering the phrase “Teamwork makes the dream work”. Its probably very common and people hear it all the time. I thought about that in terms of relationships or family but it can really translate to your relationships everywhere. The better bonds and connections you have with people can bring rewarding and wonderful things to your life. So your team can be professional, personal and even through an experience. The success of one person is really built of the fabric of multiple people helping bring that to fruition in your life. So yea, its really about who you are surrounding yourself with.
Thank you so much for your willingness to do this Darrin. I really look forward to your success, and more photoshoots!
Follow Darrin's Journey here:
Instagram - @Darrin.Charles
Website - www.DarrinCharles.com