Thank
you for visiting my site.
I appreciate the time you're taking out of your day to peruse my pages.
In my early teens, I envied the young actresses on television (the few times I was able to actually watch a television) and I knew that I could act just as well. I never thought I could attempt such a thing, but I dreamed big and remained silently industrious with a strong desire to succeed. I deeply wanted to do something worthwhile, but at that time, I had little chance of achieving any of my "wild" visions. My life was hard, but left me with a multitude of experiences, many bad, some good, to draw upon. I have played many roles in my life just to survive, but it's all helped me become who I am today.
Later, I wanted to be a meteorologist. The natural phenomenon of mother nature's fury and it's beauty simply fascinated me. I studied wind and weather patterns and even the "Farmers Almanac" interested me. My mother often asked me for a two day weather forecast and I was most often right. I tried doing that while I was reporting and, to be honest, I was terrible at it although I was a good reporter.
I left home young and into an abusive relationship since that all I really knew at 15. I eventually got married and slowly settled into a mundane life with no sign of attaining any academic or career goals. I love animals and in my early twenties, the thought of becoming a veterinarian once slipped across my lips, but the idea was quickly discouraged by my mother. I felt devastated, still needing to fulfill that desire to do something worthwhile and satisfying. But, there was no meaningful career in my foreseeable future and college had not been an option up to that time.
But all of that would one day change and with an undying perseverance to do the best job I could at whatever I attempted, I accomplished a lot more than many people ever thought I would considering my beginnings. The more I accomplished, the more I learned and then, realized I had the ability to do even more.
I had been working as a waitress for a living and didn't want to end up a thirty year-old "hash-slinger", but I didn't have any formal education. I decided that wouldn't stop me since I couldn't afford school and I was barely surviving as it was. After several odd jobs as a secretary for small businesses, I slowly worked (actually faked) my way into a job in corporate management in the largest burglar and fire alarm company in the world.
Meanwhile, my father had encouraged me to try many things and one of those was acting. The first time I set foot on a movie set, it was "Police Academy 5". Hired as an extra, I was making very little money for long hours. Still, I lit-up like the morning sun every time I thought about it and I couldn't wait to do it again.
I wanted to know the secret to "making it big." So, I asked a prominent casting director on the set. She kindly said, "It helps to be rich".
I looked at her; my wide eyes narrowed as I wondered what she meant.
Being a naive, young actress, I had delusions of grandeur, hoping that some director would pick me to be the next "star." Although I was often picked out to do a bit part or say a line, there was no stardom in my immediate future.
I am fortunate to have done as much work as I have. It is a tough business and, especially in the beginning, very hard to make a living. Juggling the auditions, extra work and a real job is a task at which most don't survive long. I was one of those who didn't survive long and soon found a job in Corporate America. My responsibilities grew quickly and leaving my job to pursue my acting work became impossible. So, for a while I chose the road of stability instead of stardom. It helps to be rich!
But I couldn't let go of the passion and the desire, or maybe it wouldn't let go of me, so I still do some acting on occasion. I love to play the unusual roles and characters more anyway. You'll see that when you check out my photos page! They're a lot of fun, too.
I was fascinated by the computer and what it could do if I learned more about them. Before I knew it, I was customizing databases and transferring data -- work that corporations needed. I did some consulting for a company in Boca Raton, Florida that many other consultants wouldn't do. I also learned to build websites and still enjoy doing that.
Finally, I was encouraged by what others said about my reading skills and my voice. I had done voiceovers, but hadn't pursued it with any vigor. Then those memories of my childhood dreams flooded me. I decided I had dilly-dallied long enough and went to school for broadcasting.
Now, I'm aging gracefully and want to move on to a quieter, more serine lifestyle. I've moved all around the country in journalism and I'm ready to settle down. So, until my business is successful enough to sustain me, I'll continue producing television news. I am working very hard to reach that goal of self-employment, personal enjoyment and fulfillment.
Good luck in all you do,
Darlene Deacon