Bryan Cranston saved my career!

LOS ANGELES - July 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Actor Gene Gabriel has been working professionally as an actor for the better part of 25 years and like all actors he has faced highs (he originated the role of "Rodriguez" in the 2003 Tony winner for best play "Take Me Out" and appeared in the 2005 revival of "The Odd Couple" alongside Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Brad Garrett) and lows (he once suffered a three year dry spell without even an audition). During one of those lows he saw a clip of actor Bryan Cranston (Walter White on Breaking Bad) responding to the question "What advice would you give to actors?". Gabriel says that Cranston's response saved his career. He said " It's not your job to get a job. It's your job as an actor to go in and give a compelling performance within the space you're allotted and then leave it at the door on the way out." after hearing this and letting it sink in Gene said "It knocked me back to earth from wherever my mind had gone professionally."

"This wasn't a revelation. It was something I believed and practiced at the beginning of my career but somewhere along the way it was knocked out of me. Rather I allowed it to be knocked out of me." says Gabriel. " I just needed to hear it and be reminded again. This business has a way of doing that to you if you let it."  Within a couple of weeks he booked a role in the family dance/comedy Dance-Off opposite Finola Hughes (General Hospital, Staying Alive) and his acting student and dear friend Kathryn McCormick (Step Up Revolution, So You Think You Can Dance).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3024964/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_11

In the last year he has booked roles in three more films including The Evil Gene a psychological thriller starring Richard Speight Jr. (Band of Brothers, Supernatural). Where he plays the head prison guard Officer Ryder in a secret government prison where all prisoners posess the controversial evil gene. Ryder is tough, no nonsense and very good at his job but throughout the course of the film his entire world is turned upside down.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3631282/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_6

In the Latino, Female driven, LGBT romantic comedy Cassanova Was A Woman he plays a Latin Soap Star who becomes romantically involved with Cassanova played by writer, producer and star Jezabel Montero. Cass is questioning her own sexuality as she leaves her husband for a woman then begins to see a naked fantasy man wherever she goes. "It's groundbreaking and hilarious and I'm proud to be part of it. I get to show off my Latin roots and the fact that I am a Spanish speaker in a very cool scene. This film also allows me to use my comedy background." says Gabriel. They're in the midst of a kickstarter campaign for post production.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/221666836/cassanova-...

He also plays border Agent Carlson in the timely border drama "The Boatman" starring his old friend Oscar Torre (The Hangover Part III, NCIS). It's an amazing script and so wonderful to have a scene with my old friend Oscar. The two worked together in an episode of America's Most Wanted in 1996. "He murdered me the first time we worked together, maybe this time I'll get my revenge." says Gabriel.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3495988/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_4

He is also in talks to star in the horror feature "Wandering Shadows". He plays Rob a neighbor to the film's protagonist. He says of the character "Rob is one of those people that make you uneasy the moment you're in their presence. He seems nice enough but you feel an undercurrent of violence and tension."  There is an indiegogo campaign for this film.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wandering-shadows

He also appears in a national JELL-O commercial called "Set To Jiggle" where he and his wife put their daughter's cell phone inside of a JELL-O mold. He directed and appeared in the raucous comedy pilot "Executive Protection" currently being shopped to major networks and cable outlets. He is a series regular in the upcoming comedy web series "Manny In Real Life" and is a member of the improv comedy troupe The Sauce alongside improv legend Bill Chott. The Sauce performs the third Thursday of every month at IO West in their show "Wall of Comedy". He can also be seen in his wife Stacey Tookey's (Three time EMMY nominee for SYTYCD) show Moments Defined for one performance only this Thursday at the Center Theatre Long Beach Convention Center, July 24, 2014 at 8pm

For tickets visit http://www.dancerpalooza.com/seeashow

Gene says he hopes to meet and thank Mr. Cranston some day. For now he'll just have to be content being busier than ever.