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An Interview with Phil La Duke
…Find a way to make money outside of the industry. Nothing against being a bartender or restaurant server. Think of a way to make a living working remotely in today’s post-COVID world. Then look at this job as a way to pursue your passion instead of just a job, and you will have a better attitude about it…
The entertainment industry is no stranger to ups and downs, from strikes and economic challenges to shifting audience behaviors and emerging technologies. For actors, these slowdowns can be especially difficult, testing not only financial stability but also creative momentum and emotional resilience. How can actors, stunt people, filmmakers, camera crew and other entertainment industry professionals continue to grow, stay inspired, and keep the faith during uncertain times in the industry? In this interview series, we are talking to actors, agents, casting directors, acting coaches, and other industry insiders about “How to Thrive and Keep the Faith in Your Acting Career During An Entertainment Industry Slowdown.” As part of this series, had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Don Worley.
Don Worley is a trial attorney and entertainer whose career spans nearly two decades in law and media. Recognized by Newsweek and Time for his leadership in personal injury law, he has also been honored by Martindale-Hubbell as a Client Champion. Worley’s firm achievements earned him membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The American Association for Justice’s Leaders Forum. Beyond the courtroom, he hosts the docuseries Power of Attorney: Don Worley on Apple TV and Amazon Prime, and starred in the indie thriller A Time for Sunset, which won Best Thriller at the Culver City Film Festival in 2024. His earlier work includes acting alongside Danny Trejo in Pastor Shepherd and touring as a stand-up comedian.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was adopted at birth by a family in the Dallas, Texas area. My father was a superintendent of a small public school system and my mother was a teacher, but stayed home after (to care for me and special needs sister were both adopted.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I learned that I could make people laugh so I pursued theatre and high school and then earned a college degree in acting. I went on to be a touring stand-up comic and now an actor.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I guess the phone call I received to make a television show about me being an attorney. I had always kept the two careers separate and never thought of combining them.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Lots of them. My giggest mistake was doing a stand-up comedy gig for a church. Even though I could work “clean,” it was still too edgy for a church setting.
What has been the most challenging role or project you’ve ever taken on, and why?
“A Time for Sunset” was very challenging because it was more of a serious role (thriller) instead of a comedy and I had to carry the movie because it was a contained thriller and I was in every scene, mostly alone.
Artificial Intelligence has figured prominently in the recent labor dispute. What positives and negatives do you see in the increased use not only in the entertainment industry but in all industries?
I use it to pitch brand integration to brands and to produce sample tv pilots to avoid the cost. But I always shoot with real actors. I’m a member of SAG also, and side with actors on using real people.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I am shooting a movie titled “ManDate” now in LA. It’s an interesting dramedy about how difficult it is for middle aged, married men with children to have male friends. It has a great cast including Jon Lovitz, Tara Reid, Chris Kattan, and Nadine Velaquez.
What is your greatest source of optimism about the future of work in the entertainment industry?
The use of AI to be able to make independent films set in a different period of time or sci fi.
What are your biggest concerns about the future of work in the entertainment industry?
Use of AI to replace actors.
What have you done to support yourself when you are not working or unable to find work in the entertainment industry?
I own my own law firm.
Did the situation ever get so dire that you considered quitting and pursuing another career? If so, why didn’t you quit?
Yes, I have thought about it several times. But it wasn’t that I just wanted to do it, I had to do it for various reasons.
This is our signature question that we ask in nearly all of our interviews. Can you share “Five Things You Need to Thrive and Keep the Faith in Your Acting Career During An Entertainment Industry Slowdown? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
- Never compare yourself to others. You are unique with unique talents. Just because you haven’t done as many movies as another actor doesn’t mean you are not valuable to the industry.
- Find a way to make money outside of the industry. Nothing against being a bartender or restaurant server. Think of a way to make a living working remotely in today’s post-COVID world. Then look at this job as a way to pursue your passion instead of just a job, and you will have a better attitude about it.
- Do projects on your own and don’t wait for the phone to ring from your agent or manager. Do social media videos or a YouTube show alone or with others.
- Network with other actors and filmmakers. You never know who can help you in the future.
- Don’t take it personally when you don’t get a role. It isn’t always about the acting. Sometimes you are just not right for the role, and another actor had the look the filmmaker is looking for.
How do you stay connected to the creative community during industry lulls?
Trying to collaborate on projects that can move forward, such as social media projects.
What practices — mental, spiritual, or otherwise — help keep you grounded?”
I find that my job as an attorney helps keep me grounded.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I were president, I would enact a fast-track program for immigrants who want to do the jobs that Americans don’t want to do. Criminal background check, interview, and then open the doors to them to come help our industries.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
Most of my handles are from my law firm — mcdonaldworleypc
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success! Thank you!
About The Interviewer: Phil La Duke is a popular speaker & writer with thousands of works in print. He has contributed to Authority, Buzzfeed, Entrepreneur, Monster, Thrive Global, and many more magazines and is published on all inhabited continents. He is the author of four books and a contributor to one more. His latest book Stop. Don’t Shoot! Preparing For and Surviving Mass Shootings and Rampage Attacks. deals with identifying and preventing Mass Shootings. La Duke believes this subject is so important that he sent copies to the POTUS, the VPOTUS, and every US Senator who was seated as of January 7, 2023.
His first book is a visceral, no-holds-barred look at worker safety, I Know My Shoes Are Untied! Mind Your Own Business. An Iconoclast’s View of Workers’ Safety. His second book, Lone Gunman: Rewriting the Handbook on Workplace Violence Prevention deals with workplace violence, particularly directed at women, is listed as #16 on Pretty Progressive magazine’s list of 49 books that powerful women study in detail. His third book, Blood In My Pockets Is Blood On Your Hands is a step-by-step guide to getting worker safety right, and Loving An Addict: Collateral Damage Of the Opioid Epidemic is due to be released in 2025. La Duke also contributed a chapter to 1% Safer, a not-for-profit book, written by the “top game-changers and global thought leaders.”
Expertfile lists Phil La Duke as a top 25 thought leader in multiple areas. In addition to his writing, Phil sits on eight Biomedical Research Oversight Boards and is a highly sought-after speaker. La Duke is currently employed as a COVID Compliance and Production Safety Consultant for the film and television industry.
Follow Phil on Twitter @philladuke, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Phil-La-Duke-320996002174991/,
His author’s page on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07G799XC6, or read his weekly blog www.philladuke.wordpress.com that he updates with the regularity of a turtle with too much rice in its diet.