Acting : Acting: Oscar-winning actress learns (too late) how Hollywood works, what she did wrong by LindaAnn Loschiavo

Wow - so incredibly interesting. Thank you for sharing LindaAnn

Shannon, thanks for reading it. Some may remember about Marisa Tomei, who won an Oscar for "My Cousin Vinny" (1992), becoming such a thorn that she hampered her success. Hollywood is a small town built on relationships, goodwill, favors, and paybacks. Talented cast members who know how to be "a team player" get a reputation for being good to work with. The reverse is also true.

It's not 'just' Hollywood. Being likable is one of the most crucial elements for success in any business… People skills 101 in the office!

That tripped me out too, Owen! Not Marisa!

Lol! Say it ain't so! But she could still get it! Lol!

Marisa Tomei (and her parents) live near me. I worked with her on an event in 1997. Let's just say that, when Marisa was getting all the bad publicity in the early 1990s, she was lucky those were the days before the Internet, social media, and Twitter. Shhh. Bill Murray also burnt a lot of bridges. Sofia Coppola needed a down-and-out actor who would work for scale when she did "Lost in Translation." That revived his career.

Burning bridges is soooo easy in this biz. It's hard to keep your mouth "in check". One bad choice can land you without work.

That's one aspect of this business that I will never understand. If you're fortunate enough to be able to make a living as an actor, you cherish every moment & you thank your lucky stars every minute of every day. I will always be humble, grounded, respectful, & most importantly....grateful.

Mary, as a playwright, I work with actors/ actresses up close; so do my dramatist pals (who have backstage tales). Problem: even if an actress starts out being normal, there is a lot of rejection and forced sexual situations/ sexual demands if she tries to get into the big league. I can imagine that might change a person.

Change, yes, but before I let circumstances change me in a negative way, I will leave the biz. I would love to hear some of those backstage tales, though! ;-)

Years ago, we threw a big party for Rob Marshall, a theatre director who also won an Oscar for "Chicago." Some day I'll tell my story about working with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger. :-D

Don't forget about me when that day comes! =D

Mary, I won't forget you!!! :-D

Lol! I hope that's a good thing! ;-)

Well, Neto nailed it all right!!

Wow. That's a little depressing! I don't think too many 'mavericks' are interested in sleeping with an old broad like me! Maybe they'll view me as a mother figure? Lol ;-)

@ Mary - good acting & good spirits win jobs. My actress friend Corina Rios is mature and not slim. But last year she was a regular in "Orange Is the New Black." She also made a TV commercial for a diabetes drug. Her SAG earnings in 2014 enabled her to take her husband for a 6-wk trip around the world (that included stops in China, New Zealand, NSW). Corina is terrific and talented -- in no need of groveling. :-D

I have great spirits & I pride myself in my acting abilities. I was just having fun. One thing is for sure, I never compare my career with any one else's. It's been a blast so far! =)

Mary, that's so great. For all the other actresses on Stage32, let this post stand as a "talent has no borders' reminder. :-D

Sounds good to me, LindaAnn. Love your name ;-)

I feel I've truly evolved when I avoid the "friends" who don't treat me well (of course, I need to treat them with kindness, too). Whether they're now famous or not, if they don't behave like menschen, I don't need them. My life is much better now and I'm grateful for that! I tell my friends I need reciprocity in my relationships. If they don't get it, it's over (I'm smiling now -- I'm so proud of myself that I won't take s--t in my personal or work environment any more)! Life is too short to be miserable! xoxo

Thank you so much for your insight LindaAnn! I love hearing stories like this, showing that you are THERE, inside the industry, you know? I love Corina Rios too, she is so believable!

Corina Rios is a talented and bi-lingual actress -- -- and she has a talent for friendship, too. Lovely human being!

Having just been an actor and producer on The Chair, I can tell you that it was a very interesting place to be. Dealing with reps, actors, EPs ect. Personaliy can make you or break you. Talent aside, I know that it is easier to be on a set that the people are easy to work with and good to be around. Just as in life.... be a good person..... kick ass..... dont give up.