I often say actors are professional empaths. Our job is literally to put ourselves in other people's shoes. In my private life, this often gets me in trouble. Many people are unable, or unwilling, to see another point of view and are really offended that I do! But I don't think I'd be able to "switch that off" even if I wanted to - which I don't.
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Guest
Aug 25, 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
Refreshing. Think about the sad state of things that one side (in Hollywood) has to hide their empathy for fear of "getting in trouble" by the other side. You shouldn't even have to make that caveat. Appreciate it, Michael. As an acting coach I get my clients to think this way, whenever they play a character they start off judging (not just right-leaning characters, but religious characters, nasty characters, etc.). Sadly, I feel like I'm going to get in trouble for this comment. lol
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David E Harrison
Aug 25, 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
I’m with ya! Thank you for putting this out there.
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Guest
Aug 19, 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
I’m Canadian and feel for us and US! We need to be kind and care even if we’re nasty , I love this and I agree that we as Actors need to explore others feeling for sure but show at some point t the empathy without spoiling the character we are portraying. Thank you
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Guest
Aug 18, 2025
Actors use empathy to understand a character/situation under IMAGINARY circumstances... "MAGA" is not (tragically) imaginary... they are willing, knowingly, (and in some cases) GLEEFULLY hurting/killing/torturing there fellow humans. Empathy STOPS when someone intentionally hurts another. In this case, there is no "side" or argument for empathizing with at it's roots pure evil, and at best, extreme willful ignorance. You want to argue Redsox/Yankees fine... but when it comes to 100% of a population (in the case of trumpers) willfully hurting others, and in full awareness knowing better and doing it anyways, I have to whole heartedly disagree... and for those of you saying "i have friends on 'both sides'..." no you don't, you are just willfully sticking your head…
Edited
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Kostroff
Aug 18, 2025
Replying to
I anticipated I might get reactions along these lines. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I often say actors are professional empaths. Our job is literally to put ourselves in other people's shoes. In my private life, this often gets me in trouble. Many people are unable, or unwilling, to see another point of view and are really offended that I do! But I don't think I'd be able to "switch that off" even if I wanted to - which I don't.
Refreshing. Think about the sad state of things that one side (in Hollywood) has to hide their empathy for fear of "getting in trouble" by the other side. You shouldn't even have to make that caveat. Appreciate it, Michael. As an acting coach I get my clients to think this way, whenever they play a character they start off judging (not just right-leaning characters, but religious characters, nasty characters, etc.). Sadly, I feel like I'm going to get in trouble for this comment. lol
I’m with ya! Thank you for putting this out there.
I’m Canadian and feel for us and US! We need to be kind and care even if we’re nasty , I love this and I agree that we as Actors need to explore others feeling for sure but show at some point t the empathy without spoiling the character we are portraying. Thank you
Actors use empathy to understand a character/situation under IMAGINARY circumstances... "MAGA" is not (tragically) imaginary... they are willing, knowingly, (and in some cases) GLEEFULLY hurting/killing/torturing there fellow humans. Empathy STOPS when someone intentionally hurts another. In this case, there is no "side" or argument for empathizing with at it's roots pure evil, and at best, extreme willful ignorance. You want to argue Redsox/Yankees fine... but when it comes to 100% of a population (in the case of trumpers) willfully hurting others, and in full awareness knowing better and doing it anyways, I have to whole heartedly disagree... and for those of you saying "i have friends on 'both sides'..." no you don't, you are just willfully sticking your head…