TALENT SPOTLIGHT: CHRISTOPHER DUKES

Christopher Dukes is one of those rare talents who discovered his calling while still in high school and has managed to convert that calling into a successful career. Find out how he’s managed to ride the unpredictable waves of Hollywood in this month’s Talent Spotlight!

WILES: How did you get started in the entertainment business?

CD: I answered an ad in our local newspaper when I was a sophomore in high school. It ended up being a search for talent from a local agent and I booked my first commercial at the age of 15.

WILES: When did you feel like this would be your career path?

CD: I majored in theatre in college and knew that entertainment would be my future. I graduated and moved to LA 2 months later.

WILES: What has been your biggest role to date?

CD: I played the role of “Worthington” on the series Pump. It was a recurring character on a show about the crazy shenanigans that go on at a local gym.

WILES: Tell me more about that particular production and where it was shot?

CD: Pump was shot on location at a gym in the San Fernando Valley. It was still open to the public so production had to balance shooting with meeting the needs of actual gym members. The production was amazing and one of the more memorable experiences of my career.

WILES: What inspires you to keep going in an extremely competitive business?

CD: As I have gotten older and been through the ups and downs of the business, I’ve realized that perseverance is key. I do thrive on competition but the ability and wherewithal to keep your head straight, stay positive and realize that this is a lifelong dream is most important.

WILES: What person (or people) made an impact on you in your career?

CD: I have to give the most thanks to my mom and my wife. My mother early on encouraged me to pursue this goal. She told me I was a young Tom Hanks. The first time I met him, I let him know my mom said that. She made sure I moved to LA and stayed on course. I got married in 2003 and my wife has been my biggest supporter since then. As roles have come and gone, she has encouraged me to take chances and get outside of my comfort zone.

WILES: What do you enjoy most when you are not working in front of the camera?

CD: I enjoy being a dad the most. I have two children how keep me very busy. I love encouraging my daughter’s artwork and my seeing my son progress through his belts in karate.

WILES: What do you have coming up next?

CD: I just completed a short called “A Slice of Life”, it will be coming out in late 2020 or early 2021. It’s a suspense thriller about a late-night audition that is not what it seems.

WILES: What advice do you have for someone who is just starting out in the industry?

CD: You should surround yourself with a good group of people. Network and make friends in the industry. Almost all my jobs have come from someone I knew or a referral from someone I’ve worked with. As they say in Hollywood, it’s all about who you know!

For more information about Christopher Dukes, please visit:

www.imdbme.com/christophermdukes