From film and television to pretending to be a hospital patient: the unusual career move of many unemployed Hollywood actors
Given the structural precariousness of the acting profession, many performers have found an unusual outlet in roles as “standardized patients” in real hospitals.
The entertainment world is very fast-paced and voracious, especially if you don’t already have an established name on either the small or big screen. Many Hollywood actors who are going through a rough patch are finding a very unusual job opportunity: leaving film and television sets for real hospitals, where they act as patients with various ailments for the purpose of training staff.
From hospitals in movies and TV series to real hospitals: a necessary career change for some actors to continue working
A recent article in Variety paints a truly unusual picture of the employment situation of many actors who have had prominent roles in film and television. Faced with a lack of new roles for extended periods of time, many have found a way out by taking on roles as “standardized patients” in hospitals. This is a peculiar mutually beneficial association where performers not only receive a salary and gain acting experience, but also help train medical staff before they treat real patients.
“As actors, it’s very up and down. You can be on Broadway for four years and then unemployed for seven months,” revealed Tom Souhrada, a veteran actor who has been on stage for thirty-five years. The COVID era wreaked havoc on many in-person jobs, forcing many performers who depended on theater shows to survive to seek out these unorthodox alternatives. According to Variety, many of these jobs in New York pay between $25 and $30 an hour.
Of course, like any other serious role, it can also take days or even weeks of research for performers. This is the case for Andy Hartman, a twenty-five-year-old actor who plays a patient with schizophrenia. Hartman reveals that he has thoroughly prepared for the role, watching many videos on his own and wearing headphones almost all day long in an attempt to replicate how many real patients deal with sensory overstimulation. Hartman says he felt a responsibility to “do schizophrenia patients justice”. And the truth is that his characterization could have a real impact on how doctors of the future treat patients with this condition.
Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!