Today we’d like to introduce you to Bruce Clifford.
Hi Bruce, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Originally honed and crafted on the East Coast, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania specifically. I had a non-practicing catholic upbringing, and my parents thought (Well, mom, specifically) it well to get a good education. Hence 12 years of catholic school. When I was 3, my family moved to Bensalem, Pennsylvania, which is a suburb directly north of the Philadelphia suburb.
I was raised by an amazing family. My Mom and Dad and my Mom’s Mom and Dad mostly. Gammom and Pop. If I wasn’t in school or at home, I was most likely under Gammom and Pop’s care. Working Mom and working Dad all that.
When I was younger, I had aspirations to be all of the above: Police Officer, Basketball Player, Baseball Player, Golfer, Architect, Drawer, Video Game Designer, basically changing my career choice every month as a curious growing boy.
Throughout my whole life, I had a sense of not wanting a “Typical” job. I was the president of quitters. Quit retail jobs, Lifeguard jobs, busboy jobs, Casino jobs, Quit in the middle of training. Quit Baseball and other sports.
Then one day, I remember so clearly, I was majoring in Graphic Design at my local community college, and I came home one day realizing I don’t see myself doing this. I was happy with the creativeness but wanted to do something different that I have never done. If I’m being completely honest, it’s something I was jealous of other people doing.
I had a close friend who loved acting/ singing/ dancing. And he was so talented. I used to watch him in wish I could do what he does. So, this fateful day, I came home and almost as a cliche looked up at the stars and asked some celestial entity, “What do I want to do?” Now, one of my favorite TV shows at the time was Scrubs. Immediate hit for me; it had the comedy, drama, and heart-touching moments. Within seconds, ” I WANT TO DO THAT.” hit my mind.
The next semester I took my first acing class of my life and fell IN LOVE with it. It felt fun, free, different, cool, expressive. Almost an ease, if that’s the word I am trying to place. It’s almost as if my life journey was aligning. I just kept playing in the possibilities that I never even knew existed for me before. I was never one of those children who KNEW he wanted to act from a very young age. OR KNEW exactly what I wanted to chase. Until it came to me. It had come as a universal fruit, and all I did was pick it and taste it, and I was addicted.
Along the way, I was doing anything I could to gain experience. Student films, Indie Films, Local commercials, Plays, Improv, classes. No pressure, and it was fun! I booked the very first commercial audition I went to and ignorantly thought, “Wow this is sooo easy”
The calling for California came very early, but I kept putting it off. Until in 2016, I had a friend who I had worked with on a local production, and he had a spot that opened up. Scared, I somehow knew this was my only chance to take to moving out here. So, I did.
6 years later, and I am still here. Growing, changing, aligning with what is coming. ENJOYING THE JOURNEY
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had 100% support from my family and friends. I went through a breakup when I first moved out to California. Long story short we were in a 7-year relationship and were trying to make it work long distance and never truly communicated whether or not she would move with me or the plan.
It didn’t work out. Heart Broken. You learn a lot from your first true broken heart. How to emotionally regulate in future personal relationships. Lessons. I learned so much from that relationship that I am a better man today because of it. Just part of my journey.
My acting journey is unique to me, and I have loved it since day 1. Sure, things don’t always pan out for me regarding roles or opportunities but I trust that what is meant for me is meant for me. I don’t have time for competition, only collaboration.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
First and foremost, I am a spiritual being having a human experience. If I gave a label to myself, I fall under the umbrella as an actor. But that even sounds limiting. I am known for my light, easy-going spirit and energy to bring to any opportunity I am so blessed to get.
I am most proud of working with a local TV Production company called “Veteran Television.”
The reason why is because they make content geared specifically for VETS and solely for their humor, and to inform the general citizen what serving is TRULY like and not HOLLYWOODIZED…
They truly serve in a way that you see these comments that say their content is truly saving people’s lives from suicide and PTSD. And it is so humbling knowing I have had a small part of a huge community to help with that.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I’ve learned how truly divided we are. And that we all need to just chill out. Love is and will always be the answer and everyone needs a crash course on that.
Also, it doesn’t help to keep people apart or distanced. The Isolation has killed more people than the actual virus.
Stats of depression, suicide, and mental health illnesses have skyrocketed over the last 2 years.
We need community, support, and friendship.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bruceclifford_
