Grounded craft, real-life magic, and the reminder that your life is the work.

We’re deep into June - wild. How’s everyone holding up? Hydrating? Reclaiming your flow? Remembering that you’re allowed to rest and be wildly ambitious at the same time? (Still reminding myself that one daily.)

This month’s feature is one I’m so excited to share with you: my friend and actor extraordinaire Michael Galante, an artist who moves through this industry with grounded intentionality, charm, and a sense of playfulness we could all flip through the playbook for.

If you’ve been needing a reminder that:

You don’t need to face momentum to be in your power.
Living a full, beautiful life outside of acting isn’t a distraction - it’s the fuel.
Honesty will always outshine the most technically “correct” performance.

Then you’re going to want to read this one.

Michael’s career has spanned everything from a multi-season arc on Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots, Good Trouble, and Switched at Birth, to an upcoming recurring role on Apple TV’s latest slate of projects, to navigating this industry with wisdom, gratitude, and a rock-solid belief in the craft itself. His approach is a reminder that you don’t need to be loud to be powerful - you just need to be true.

Michael’s advice? “Be authentic, because if not, then we aren’t seeing YOU - and you’re depriving the audience of what makes YOU special.”

Keep reading to mine Michael’s wisdom accumulated through years in the industry: about the craft, staying ready, and the ways a three-week trip to Italy might actually book you your next job.

What have been some of the standout moments or turning points that have shaped your path as an artist?

I would have to say working with Tyler Perry on four seasons of The Haves and the Have Nots has been the most rewarding experience of my career thus far. Not many people know this, but the role I was offered was only supposed to work three episodes. From what I understand, producers and Tyler saw the chemistry between me and my cast mates during the dailies and decided to expand my character’s arc. It turned into a twenty-five episode, multi-season journey. I’m very grateful for that experience and for the opportunity Mr. Perry gave me.

What’s the one thing you wish younger actors or those just starting out knew about this industry?

Because there are no guarantees in this industry, I believe the healthiest way to go about this career is falling in love with the craft of acting. It will see you through the periods of uncertainty and doubt, as well as keep you creatively satisfied during the prolonged “breaks” that occur between jobs that can last longer than you would like!

In an industry that’s constantly evolving, how do you keep yourself prepared for the next opportunity, even during quieter periods?

Stay prepared. But also live your life. In my experience, how you show up in life is directly correlated to how you show up in your work. An unhappy, unfulfilled artist is not a pleasant one. Stay healthy and ready to work, but also do the stuff that makes your heart full. Take the trip that you always wanted to. Learn a new skill or hobby. Join a run club.

I lost my dad to cancer in 2023 - I was not in a good place. Last year, I decided to book a three-week trip to Italy, which was an unforgettable experience. A month later I booked a national car commercial and a recurring role on a TV show. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe I was so filled with gratitude and reinvigorated that it translated into success.

Are there any actors, performances, or films that have particularly inspired you or influenced your approach to the craft?

Jack Nicholson is one of my largest inspirations to this day. I could name several of his films that are influential, but it was his performance in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (my favorite movie of all time) that struck a creative chord in me. The storytelling, cinematography, and acting by the entire cast was nothing short of masterful, and I was fascinated by the idea of getting to call that experience a “job.” It made me question what I wanted to do with my life, for sure.

Any on-set rituals or techniques you rely on in your process?

No on-set rituals. I do enjoy a tea with honey and a splash of cream while waiting in my trailer. It relaxes me before I have to do my scenes. My preferred acting technique is “honesty or nothing.” I’m a big believer in grounding all the work in truth, and then adjusting from there. Be authentic, because if not, then we aren’t seeing YOU and you are depriving the audience of what makes YOU special.

What would you tell your younger self who was just beginning their journey as a creative in Los Angeles?

Network more.

What are you reading and/or watching right now?

“The Studio” on Apple TV is excellent. Seth Rogen deserves his flowers. Acting at that level, while simultaneously producing and directing a big budget streamer is no easy task. You can tell he put in the time and effort to making it great. Well done, Seth.

Are you promoting anything right now? Where can people connect with you?

I recently wrapped a recurring role on an Apple TV show that I can’t discuss yet. It was a wonderful experience. I got to work on a set that was almost completely comprised of women. All I can say is Reese Witherspoon and her company Hello Sunshine are doing amazing things for the industry. I look forward to working with them again, hopefully!