My first professional TV credit was Boardwalk Empire (2013). His work on Boardwalk Empire gave him the exposure and experience he needed to land his next TV credit, Gotham on Fox! “I played a thug on the Maroni Crew. “They got the money, Frankie!” That was me.”
“It’s surprising to me exactly how competitive it is to land even a small speaking role on network TV. But, years of hard work on short films and on TV (in background roles) was beginning to pay off! I never lost sight of my dream to become a working professional actor.”
Following Gotham, I landed a guest star role on Orange is the New Black (see my reel below) on Netflix. This role has opened up many new doors for me as a working actor. I landed a lead role in a high-end indie called Bloodrunners. I landed a co-starring role in the pilot episode of a new police drama for Netflix called West of the City. Finally, I landed a dream role in a feature film called Custody. Which is under the direction of James Lapine and stars Viola Davis, Hayden Panettiere, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Ellen Burstyn.
TV Reel: The Equalizer, FBI Most Wanted, Ray Donovan, Blue Bloods, Back Fire, Difficult People and OITNB
Did you study acting?
Danny Doherty (DD): I have been a fan of classic TV and movies for about as long as I can remember. Since childhood, watching my favorite TV shows and movies has always been my favorite way to ‘escape’. I was the kid in the neighborhood that loved to make people laugh. I loved doing impersonations of my favorite actors and practiced them on anyone who would stop and listen. The big ‘aha moment’ for me happened in 1994.
It was traumatic time in my life because my father was very ill and going to the movies was my only escape. I took a walk out of watching Forrest Gump and was so emotional. I just knew I am to be a professional actor. After my father passed, I made it my top priority. I started taking night courses at SUNY – Purchase in Westchester county, NY. There, we focused on scene study, character development and memory exercises.
What acting technique do you use?
Danny Doherty (DD): The method technique is what I am drawn to mostly. The first time I used it to it’s full capacity was in an indie film that I had a lead role in called The Descending. I immersed myself in my character – a criminal and a drug addict – for a week before filming. I felt as if I became this guy. Even the director on the DVD commentary mentioned how scary it was.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Danny Doherty (DD): Yes, I practice all the time with private acting coaches and with fellow actors.
What acting books do you read?
Danny Doherty (DD): My must reads are: Acting: The Handbook of Stanislavski Method, A Dream of Passion: The Development of the Method by Lee Strasberg, and Audition by Michael Shurtleff.
How do you keep fit as an actor?
Danny Doherty (DD): I keep fit physically by working out, riding my mountain bike and by taking long walks in the city. Mentally I stay sharp through meditation, relaxation exercises and by staying focused on the positives. staying connected to positive people is also important to my overall well being.
How do you prepare for a role?
Danny Doherty (DD): I prepare by tuning out the world and reading the script over and over until I find the subtext and the character just comes out naturally.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person?
Danny Doherty (DD): I live in New York City where I am surrounded by people day and night. Once I feel that I have connected with the true essence of my character, I take him to the streets. I stay in character and approach strangers to ask directions or attempting to strike up a conversation. When I know that I can approach others in character without them thinking twice about it I know that I’m ready.
How do you stay fresh on set?
Danny Doherty (DD): When I’m on set, I tune out my outside life completely. I stay completely in character between takes so that the character and I are always connected.
Describe a memorable character you played?
Danny Doherty (DD): I was a disturbed and vile lowlife named ‘Ronnie’ in an independent film called The Descending (2011). The character disgusted me and I felt like I needed a long hot shower after playing him to wash his filth off of me. I was literally taken aback when I saw myself onscreen as Ronnie. He was so unlike me.
Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Danny Doherty (DD): The way I see it, the director is always in charge. I am always comfortable working within the framework that they provide. As an actor, I naturally believe in the power of collaboration. However, most directors that I have worked with know exactly what they are looking for in the scene. My job is to help them to achieve their vision in the moment.
What do you want most from a director?
Danny Doherty (DD): What I want most from a director on set is visionary leadership and the understanding that this is a team effort. I enjoy working with directors that are approachable.
What actors do you long to work with?
Danny Doherty (DD): Daniel Day Lewis.
Why?
Danny Doherty (DD): Because he’s Daniel Day Lewis! A most gifted actor who is sincerely dedicated to the craft.
What advice would you give to actors?
Danny Doherty (DD): My advice is that you have to love storytelling because that’s what acting is truly all about. Acting, as a profession, is a calling. You have to want to do it more than anything else. You have to want to inspire people the same way that you would want to be inspired.
Acting is not about fame or fortune. Keep that far from mind. You are going to hear a lot of ‘no’s’ before you hear your first ‘yes’. It’s the way the business is. It took me 13 years to reach the point in my career where I am today. Never give up on pursuing your dream.
Briefly write about your career?
Danny Doherty (DD): Danny Doherty was born and raised in Yonkers, New York, coming from an Italian-Irish background. From an early age he was surrounded by creative types working in and around the business.
He has a natural talent to mimic his favorite actors and amazing comedy timing, and has been described in reviews as as a natural born artist. His favorite pastime growing up was putting on plays for family and friends. Danny started his path to Hollywood while a break dancer at age 11, and from there he became a DJ around the NYC area.
At the age of 21 his father and mentor passed away and it drove him professionally and increased his determination to develop his talent. At the age of 27, he decided to become a professional actor, going to acting school at Purchase College in New York. He then began to immerse himself the NYC Theater scene where he landed several lead and supporting roles in plays.
He can be seen in the hit HBO show Boardwalk Empire , FOX Breakout show Gotham and such films as Cookies & Cream, The Grasslands ,The Descending and The Upcoming Feature film Bloodrunners he continues to be active in NYC Theater and Film scene.
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