Anyone watching him would think he was just another rich California kid with a trust fund. He isn’t. “I work small jobs every now and then,” he says, “But I try to get out to as many auditions as possible.” Luke seems at ease with the life he’s leading.
Leaving his family in Oregon to live the dream, Luke instantly realized it’s not all glitz and glamour. The life of an aspiring actor can be one filled with angst, excitement, and the unknown. Ironically, his life is perfect for a Hollywood story.
“I haven’t seen my parents in a while, but I hope to visit them soon,” Luke says, “But with the way things are going right now, money is tight.”
Timothy Luke has seen his share of the struggle, and he’s just starting out. It’s only when someone finally has the guts to make that move that they soon find out not every showbiz experience is like the one you see on HBO’s Entourage. Welcome to Hollywood.
Luke spent three months living out of his van where he used the little bit of money he had to join a gym. “You can spend your day training,” he says, “And after that you can take a shower, it’s a whole lot cheaper than rent.”
But the last thing he wants you to do is to feel sorry for him. Luke found a way to make the routine work and swears that it kept him on his toes. “The best part of living a van” he says, “is that you can drive away anytime you want.”
Despite having made the nomadic lifestyle work for a while, sleeping in his van, drinking Starbucks and living off the cooler he kept in his car became quite the predicament.
“Ice is expensive,” he jokes.
“What people don’t realize is that there are, like, 4 million people in L.A and 2.5 million people who want to be famous.” So how do you get that piece of the limelight when everyone’s fighting for the same thing? “You shut your eyes, pray to god that a casting director sees your talent and that today is your lucky day.”
Is it all about Russian roulette then? Not for Luke. “I know it has a lot to do with luck and being at the right audition at the right time, but if you’re a great actor and you keep trying, something’s gotta give.”
With a good portion of the Los Angeles population gunning for the same gigs, Luke has a plan that sets him apart from the rest. “I’m a musician,” he pauses and then laughs. “I’m a carpenter as well”. In addition to acting and playing the guitar, Luke can build things too - and it’s how he’s managed to pay the bills all this time.
In a world where getting your face out there is vital, Luke’s strategy - meeting as many people as possible – has been working for him so far. “I once snuck into a fashion show,” he claims, “I spoke to a couple of cool people and eventually met my publicist, so sneaking in was a very good starting point for my career.”
On a typical day in Los Angeles, Timothy Luke says he spent his time working odd jobs, trying to pay the bills and going to auditions when he had the chance. “As an actor you’re constantly trying to go to three or four auditions week and it’s depends what you’re looking for, “he says. “If you can get three [auditions] a week, you’re doing great.”
The process doesn’t end there. The wait for that all-important call is apparently enough to drive an actor insane. “The days after an audition are always the most exciting, yet the most nerve-racking, too. But it’s all worth it.”
Things are looking up for the young 23-year-old. For one, he’s moved out of his van and into…a bigger van. Just kidding! He’s got his own apartment and continues to steadily gain experience. He recently filmed Deuce of Spades, where he personifies the character of Johnny Callaway, a young hot-rod buff in the fifties.
Faith Granger, Deuce of Spades writer and director, chose Luke out of the 500 actors who auditioned for the role. Granger also admits that although there are many aspiring actors in Los Angeles, she could not imagine anyone else playing the lead role.
“Timothy was freshly arrived from Oregon, was totally unknown and quite green as an actor, with no track record to speak of” she explains. Granger confides that Luke’s look, reminiscent of a young James Dean, had initially sparked her interest. However, it was Luke’s talent that eventually won her over.
“In the end it wasn’t [just] his good looks that got him the part, but rather, [it was] his ability to rapidly grow as an actor, to transform into Johnny Callaway, his willingness to follow my directions, his kind disposition and dedication to the project.”
Granger goes on to mention that despite the fact that the movie Deuce of Spades has yet to be released, there is much buzz about both the film and Luke. Deuce of Spades and Timothy Luke himself have appeared in numerous reputable magazines such as American Muscle Cars and Hotrods, Gasser, Wheels Magazine, Hot Rod Magazine in the US, over 50 blogs, and this is just the beginning.
“Timothy has an 18 X 24 centerfold poster in one of France's most respected car publication this month - and a twelve page spread about the film!" Granger says. “He has been in magazines in England, Italy, France, Sweden, Finland, Tschek, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the US... What is happening to us is unbelievable and I must admit, there are days where I can't even believe it is happening myself.”
In addition to recently filming a commercial for Levis, Luke is finally starting to see all his hard work pay off. For an aspiring actor whose career will inevitably flourish, we can only assume that living in his van didn’t cramp Luke's style too much. At the very least, being able to flaunt the actor status has probably helped him with the ladies. “Hell yeah,” he says when asked about whether or not the pick-up line works.
In an industry where good looks and talent can go a long way, Luke has a fighting chance. If he hangs in there long enough, his experience will make for an incredibly fun story for the late night talks shows.
Fortunately, Luke will always have Faith Granger rooting for him. “As I predict, Johnny Callaway's role will define Timothy's career as a lead man and let it be known that if success is to come his way, he fully has earned it and deserves it,” she says. “I am glad I discovered him when he was just a diamond in the rough and got to work with him and give him polish, for now I get to sit back and watch him shine!”
Photos courtesy of Timothy LukeDeuce of Spades Photo courtesy of Faith Granger