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You would think that making a living as an actor – something thousands (if not millions) desire – would be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. But that’s not the case for Luis Guzman, who’s had a successful career for the last 20 years as a character actor.
“The best job I ever had was as a social worker,” said Guzman during a recent press day in Miami. “I started acting as a way to earn some extra money on the side, then I took a leap of faith into the unknown when I pursued acting full time. Fortunately I’ve done pretty well.”
Guzman is not a method actor who immerses himself in his roles, but his life is a reference for all the characters he plays. For example, in his latest film, “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” he plays Ramos, an otherwise nice guy who works with John Travolta’s character, Ryder, to hijack a New York City subway train. When things don’t go as planned, Ramos realizes he’s in too deep to escape.
Much of Guzman’s screen time is in the front of the subway car. “Being in the front, I kept thinking about all the times I’ve been in the front car of a subway train and saw the motorman do his job,” said Guzman, who is a New York City native. “So I took that thought and combined it with the situation of a guy who’s in a situation he didn’t want to be in, and now he can’t get out.”
Travolta is just one of the many A-list stars he’s worked with. Shortly after he retired as a social worker to pursue acting full time in the early ‘90s, he was cast opposite Al Pacino in “Carlito’s Way.”
“I almost fainted when I met Pacino,” Guzman said. “But,” he continued, “when I’m in front of the camera it’s pretty much a level playing field, regardless of who I’m acting with.”
Through it all, Guzman stresses not taking things too seriously, as evident by the Hawaiian shirt and khakis he’s wearing. “I just try to be simple, man,” Guzman said.
Who knew simplicity could take you so far?
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