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Merrick McCartha is a Los Angeles based actor best known for roles in shows such as “Unstable” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”. Merrick took a leap of faith when he left a career in engineering to pursue his acting passion. After much hard work, his decision is paying off as his acting career is on an upward trajectory! His latest project will be coming soon to Amazon Prime sometime in 2025. Vents recently had the opportunity to interview Merrick and about his career and his future plans.
1. You have worked on several projects recently including a role on the Rob Lowe show “Unstable”. What did you learn from working with a veteran actor such as Rob Lowe?
Bob Lowe and his son Johnny Lowe made sure that we were not just making a great show, but also having fun doing it. We were encouraged to try different things and play off of each other. Plus, during our breaks, we got to just enjoy being with each other on set. Rob and Johnny made this the kind of set every person working on it enjoys.
2. You are in an upcoming episode of the new show “High Potential”. Tell us about your character?
In the new ABC hit, I’m playing a dedicated detective that never gets it wrong. As we know from the show so far, Kaitlin’s character has a knack for finding flaws in police investigations. Although my character is quite serious, it was a blast working with this great group of people!
3. What do you look for in a role?
I love when a character I’m playing has lots of complexity. Sure I am very strong at playing straightforward roles, but when there are internal conflicts or character flaws, this allows an actor’s creativity to blossom.
4. What is your preparation process when you are cast in a new project?
Oh, I am always about being fully prepared by the time I get to set. Yes, that means having my lines memorized and having an objective in the scene, but it also means being ready to do things differently. It’s not a good idea to go to set with a fixed idea of the scene in mind. Good actors are always open to be surprised, and react accordingly. It really is part of the fun of being an actor.
5. What is the biggest hurdle you’ve ever faced in your life?
Honestly, my biggest hurdle was starting out as an actor. I’m not from an entertainment industry family, so everything was new to me and it took a while for me to find a mentor. Also, I realized that if I was going to have the success I wanted, I was going to have to fully commit. For me, this meant not having a regular 9 to 5 job at an office. I struggled financially and even experienced abject poverty in the first couple years. It was perhaps the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I look back even now and wonder how I got through it. I could only guess that it was my absolute determination to succeed.
6. What do you most love about being an actor?
Actors are artists, and for most artists it is the creative process that brings the greatest joy. Actors take a piece of paper, and from there create a world, and the people in it….like creating a painting.
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you can share?
Look for me in a great new crime thriller on Amazon Prime! Currently not able to release the title, but there will be a press release by production.
8. Where can we follow you on social media?
Follow me on Instagram at @therealmerrickmccartha.
