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Carlos Andrés Gómez,
Performance Poet & Actor
Carlos Andrés GómezIf experiencing the cultures of 50 countries doesn’t give an actor material to work with, then nothing will. Carlos Andrés Gómez, 24-year old performance poet and actor, grew up with a life on-the-go, and somehow transformed his constant mobility into permanent success. At such a tender young age, Carlos already has a resume that beats out most others in his industry. As a nationally recognized award-winning performance poet, Carlos' slam tour circuit has brought him to countless stages around the world. He doesn't just stop there. If you've been to the movie theaters recently, you will then easily recognize Carlos as he played a lead role with co-star Denzel Washington in Spike Lee's #1 box office hit "Inside Man". This tri-lingual phenom has more talents than we can keep track of. Carlos’ confidence and determination remain unrivalled and The LatinConnect is privileged to present his story to you in this week’s Young & Professional Profile.
Website
www.CarlosLive.com
Name
Carlos Andrés Gómez, 24, Film/TV Actor and Performance Poet
Hometown
New York, NY
Current residence
New York, NY
Education
University of Pennsylvania (2004)
Work experience
Lead role in Spike Lee’s “Inside Man”
Guest star on Showtime’s “The L Word” and mun2 show, “Vivo”
Starring role in “Respect Yourself” television spots
2x National Poetry Slam Finalist
3x NYC National Slam Team Member
Ethnicity
Columbian
What's your background?
I am a native New Yorker, Colombiano, that’s lived all over the world. I’ve lived in Brazil, Cyprus, Switzerland, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Los Angeles. I’m very used to change and transition – attended 12 schools growing up, including 3 different high schools.
What keeps you busy day to day?
I constantly tour, doing poetry performances/lectures at colleges and universities around the country. I, also, am always in some sort of acting/improv class and do auditions for film and television.
Most notable milestones
Learning how to read was probably my biggest initial milestone. I didn’t get that down until I was about 8 or 9 because all the literacy development in the British system (I was living in Brazil/Cyprus/Switzerland at the time) was word memorization-based instead of phonetics. After that, being cast in a leading role in Spike Lee's #1 box office hit “Inside Man” and performing on the National Poetry Slam Finals stage twice in front of 3,000 people. Also, opening for Amiri Baraka last year…that was pretty cool. Here's a timeline of my most recent notable milestones:
2006 - Leading role in #1 box office hit "Inside Man"
2005 - Rocky Mountain Emmy Award
2005 - L.E.A.F. $1,000 Poetry Grand Slam Champion'
2005 - NYC / lounderARTS National Slam Team Member
2004 - The Valley, Inc. Spoken Word Contest 1st Place Winner
2004 - Nuyorican Jazz Poetry Jam Slam Champion
2004 - Mid-Atlantic Spoken Word Festival Grand Slam Champion
2004 - North Carolina Poetry Grand Slam Champion
2004 - Providence National Slam Team Member
2003 - NYC/Nuyorican National Slam Team Member
2003 - Nuyorican Grand Slam Finalist
2001 - Pronoun Showcase Philadelphia Grand Slam Champion
Over the past six years, I have had the privilege to share the stage with a diverse range of well-known musical acts such as Wyclef Jean, MC Lyte, Toots and the Maytals, Brook Valentine, Vaeda, Immortal Technique, Pete Rock, Reel Big Fish, Saul Williams and The Slip.
What makes you unique?
I’m very versatile in terms of my range. I can play a lot of roles that challenge or expand the constraints of a certain role. I’ve traveled to over 50 countries, grew up speaking 3 languages, and use to be a social worker in the Bronx and Harlem – all those things give me a huge range of experience that most actors can’t draw from.
What's the biggest challenge?
Acting is a hot and cold ride – one minute you’re on top of the world and the next minute no one will call you back. The ones that make it are those that aren’t stopped by the lows.
I think about my journey like this: Life is a 95 percent failure game. Those that “succeed” are the ones that continue to rise up from falling and refuse to be kept down. I’ve learned to not fear failure but rather relish in that journey that offers up the possibility of either success or defeat.
What's in store for the future?
I’m planning to move out to Los Angeles in the future and will keep developing my acting chops for more film and television work. Also, I will continue to do poetry performances (although I do so much more selectively these days because of my schedule).
Who would you like to be contacted by?
I always like to talk to young people in the industry that are the “next” class of curators and taste-makers in their specific field. Twenty years from now, I plan on green-lighting my own projects and producing/writing my own films. I want to start to get to know my producing partners now, so we can build a firm base for the future.
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Carlos with director Spike Lee
Best way to stay ahead
Never stop growing and learning and regardless of how much “success” you have -- hustle like tomorrow you might starve.
Guiding principle in life
Love yourself and be willing to fight to the death for what matters most to you.
Yardstick of success
If my mom’s eyes well up when she sees or hears it.
Goal yet to be achieved
Have a chance to sink my teeth into an incredibly challenging or risky starring role in a feature film.
Best practical advice
“Just do it” (my papi) – i.e. “stop talking about it and just make it happen”
Most memorable business experience
My first scene I shot for “Inside Man” – an entirely improvised interrogation scene opposite Denzel Washington.
Mentors
Spike Lee, my mom, my papi, and my sister, Sarita.
What motivates you for success?
Seeing how many people in this world hate themselves.
“Life is a 95 percent failure game. Those that 'succeed' are the ones that continue to rise up from falling and refuse to be kept down.” Like best about what you do
Expressing the deeper truth of something.
Like least about what you do
Racist politics and the economic bottom lines of the entertainment industry.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Che Guevara
Biggest pastime outside of work
Basketball (I use to be a big-time baller once upon a time…)
What was your first job?
Paper boy when I was 11.
Person most interested in meeting and why?
Nelson Mandela – 28 years in prison…I’m sure he’d have a lot to say.
Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?
Don Cheadle – he captures something when he acts that no one else has.
Three interesting facts about yourself
I have two sisters and a brother, my father use to live in Cuba, and I don’t own a bed.
Three characteristics that describe you
Passionate, Raw, and Sensitive.
Three greatest passions
Acting, Poetry, and Travel.
Favorite book
Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon.
Favorite cause
Self-Love (without that – you can’t support or fight for anything or anyone else).
If you would like to contact Carlos, you can reach him at www.myspace.com/carlosandresgomez
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