Please introduce yourself. What do you do? Why? What do you want people to know about you?
I am a Los Angeles-based performer. I was born in South Florida and got my start working professionally in Musical Theatre.
The final five years I spent in the Sunshine State, I lived in Orlando – where I thrived by working for all the Theme Parks, as well as regional and dinner theatres.
In 2000 I moved to California and began working more earnestly in television and film.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
I am a character actor, singer, and voice-over artist.
As a big and tall guy, I typically get cast as bad guys, thugs, police, guards, and prosthetically enhanced monsters. I also work frequently as Santa Claus.
I am a bass-baritone and my voice is probably my greatest asset. Even in my early 20’s, I would mostly play middle-aged men. Now that I am middle-aged, I find that I have over 35 years playing characters that are age 50 or older.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
At some point during a performance of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers playing Adam Pontipee, I felt so in tune with the material, the music, and the space I was performing in – that I was able to “let go” and just ride the experience.
I felt for the first time, that It was impossible for me to make a mistake, and that I was in a zone where everything came together like fine jazz.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
There have been many challenges along the way, but an early one that helped form my work ethic and my professional temperament occurred during my tenure as a stage manager at a dinner theatre in Orlando.
The owner and director was a talented actor and singer who produced and directed later in life. He was a force of nature and could rapidly go from being brutally furious to exhibiting cheerful pride.
Surviving his criticisms and applying his guidance helped me to strengthen my own resolve and made me a better performer, and a better person. He was the type of role model you loved to hate and hated to love, but I highly respected him.
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
Casting Director, Liz Dean (I would love to be a guest star on PICARD playing an alien) Russell T Davies, the returning showrunner for DOCTOR WHO (I’d love to be a guest star when they need an American actor).
Wes Gleason – casting director for DC Comics Animation (I would love to voice a character in an upcoming animated film or series).
Drop your social media links.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@therealraybuffer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RayBuffer
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/@RayBuffer/
- IMDb: https:/www.imdb.com/RayBuffer