I Restarted My Acting Career When I was 47
When I decided to relaunch my acting career at 47, in a foreign country where I barely spoke the language, it felt like stepping into a vast, unfamiliar maze. I’d spent the last 16 years raising my son, exploring different creative outlets—blogging, painting, interior design—but nothing ever filled the void that acting had left behind. It was a hole in my heart that I couldn’t seem to fill, no matter what new obsession I took on.
Before I moved to Munich, I had a promising career in Chicago’s theater scene. I wasn’t just getting by—I was building something. I even started making enough to qualify for health insurance through SAG. But when I became a mom, I made the choice that so many parents do: I put my dreams on hold. Fast forward a few years, and I found myself in Germany, acting in voice work and commercials. The money was good, and I enjoyed the creative environment, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t the acting I had fallen in love with.
One pivotal day, after my teenage son decided he’d rather hang out with friends than go to the movies with me, I felt a shift. I could’ve gone to the movies alone, but instead, on a whim, I Googled acting workshops in Munich. And there it was—a three-day workshop led by an LA coach with one spot left. I signed up immediately. What happened next was nothing short of life-changing.
That workshop reignited a fire in me that had been smoldering for years. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and exactly what I needed. I felt alive again, like I had finally found my way out of that maze. The coach saw it too and encouraged me to keep going, to connect with others in the class who shared my passion, and to start creating opportunities for ourselves.
From that moment on, there was no turning back. I knew I couldn’t put my dreams on the back burner again—not for anyone or anything. It was a tough adjustment for my family at first, but over time, they saw how vital this was for me. And since then, I’ve been able to reestablish myself as a working actor. I came back into the industry at 47, with imperfect German, in a country where I was clearly an outsider. But I didn’t let that stop me. I embraced every challenge, every opportunity.
I’ve since landed roles in projects like Hallmark’s A Heidelberg Holiday and Guns Akimbo—though most of my part ended up on the cutting room floor. I’ve also worked on some major German TV series and commercials. No, I’m not rich or famous, but I’m working, and that’s what counts. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way, lessons I believe can help anyone reignite their passion:
Declare Yourself as an Actor: It might seem obvious, but many actors struggle to claim this title. Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. Own your identity as an actor.
Identify What Makes You Unique: Understand your energetic signature—what makes you stand out. This isn’t about typecasting; it’s about what people remember about you after you leave the room.
Create a Strategy: Aim to improve by 1% every day. Those small gains add up over time, and before you know it, you’ll be miles ahead of where you started.
Know Your Destination: Set clear goals and be ready to course-correct along the way. You need to know where you’re going, just like a pilot needs to know their destination.
Build Authentic Relationships: Don’t just network—build genuine connections with people you want to work with. These relationships will be crucial as you grow in your career.
Pursuing your dreams is never selfish. It’s necessary. Not just for you, but for your children too. We owe it to ourselves to live fully, and by doing so, we show them what’s possible. It’s never too late to chase what you love.
If you're a trained actor, serious about your career but struggling to get to the next level, then book an appointment with me. It’s free, and together we can figure out if you’re a good fit for my program, and if you’re not, we’ll figure out the next best steps for your journey together.
Until next time, you stay your bold and beautiful self.
Anne
