Two out-of-work actors are waiting patiently in line to see their casting agent. They don’t know each other but they have both been living in Los Angeles working as bar attendants (as many actors do), waiting for their big break which never seems to come. They are looking for inspiration.
The first actor is called in to the agent’s office.
‘I’ve got some good news and some bad news,’ says the agent.
‘What’s the good news?’ asks the first actor.
‘I’ve got a gig for you!’
‘What’s the bad news?’ he asks.
‘You’ve only got one scene in one episode. In a sitcom.’
The agent waited.
‘I’ll pass, man. Let me know when a real part comes up!’
‘Come in buddy. I’ve got some good news and some bad news,’ he says.
‘What’s the good news?’ asks the second actor.
‘I’ve got a gig for you!’
‘What’s the bad news?’ he asks.
‘You’ve only got one scene in one episode. In a sitcom.’
‘Fantastic!’ says the second actor. ‘When’s the audition?’
‘This afternoon! Here are the details…’The second actor won the audition and landed the bit part in one scene in a sitcom. That sitcom was Happy Days and his first line was:
‘Good evening Earthling. I am Mork from Ork.’
The actor was Robin Williams. He turned that one scene into the spin-off series called ‘Mork and Mindy’ that lasted 100 episodes, and into a career that lasted 35 years.
The actor who turned down the gig was named Bob Jones.
Remember to say yes to small opportunities — you can never predict where they will lead.
