An actor that has worked with everyone from Jodie Foster to Bradley Cooper and Martin Sheen, Kelvin O’Bryant has already led a blessed life. O’Bryant is now a regular on the sitcom Table Manners, an upcoming 30-minute laffer that tells of a young therapist, Natalie, who is in way over her head when she goes to work the evening shift at a men’s group home for the mentally challenged. O’Bryant plays Reggie.
Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen, Dennis Haysbert… you’ve worked with a lot of greats. Who has been the most inspirational and encouraging of all the heavyweights you’ve worked with?
Wow that’s a tough one. I really have been lucky to work with some All-Time great artists, but if I have to pick just one it would have to be Martin Sheen. My first film experience was with him and he did something I will never forget. I was standing on my mark in an arena full of hundreds of extras probably looking like I was going to lose my breakfast. Right before the first take he walked over, put his arm around me and said, “I saw your audition tape, you are going to be great.” Then he reached in his pocket, pulled out three unwrapped candy corn, put them in my hand, looked me in the eyes, smiled and walked back to his mark. That really nice, kinda gross, gesture eased my nerves and started my love affair with movie making.
What do you recall about working with/for Ms Foster on The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys?
I remember, more than anything, her kindness. From the very beginning I noticed how she met every person with eye contact and a genuine smile. I truly absorbed how this 4 time Academy Award Nominee and 2-time winner carried herself on set. She made everybody feel like they were an equal part of the team. After the first day of shooting, I went back to my trailer to find a gift bag with a Gameboy Color inside. The card read: “Thank you for lending us your talents. Looking forward to working with you. –Jodie”. She’s an amazing woman.
You divide your time between TV and Film. Which do you prefer?
I don’t have a preference. In a perfect world, I would love to work as a Series Regular on an Emmy Award winning show and shoot Academy Award worthy films during the show’s hiatuses. Hiatuses is a word right?
Have you found you’ve been pigeonholed at all yet – as one particular ‘type’?
I can’t say that I have. But, if that does happen some time down the road, it wouldn’t be the worst thing as long as I am consistently working as that “type”.
You’ve had some recent success in sitcoms. How did that all come about?
Cheesy as it sounds, it started with me fully believing in my comedic ability again. I spent a while second guessing my choices and not sharing all of me in my work. That insecurity was oh so obvious in my auditions. I let go of that and now I am able to be free, trust in my preparation and ability, and just play.
Can you tell us about your character ‘Reggie’ on Table Manners?
Reggie has what is now known as Disinhibited Social Engagement disorder. Basically, he thinks everybody he meets is his best friend. He does not abide by “normal” social boundaries. He developed this disorder because of his childhood being full of foster homes and halfway houses. Reggie never had consistent positive emotional support as a child and it deeply effected his development. He is a man that wants to finally feel like he is a part of a family.
When and where can we check out the show?
That’s still TBD. I will definitely keep ya’ll posted though; Twitter: @kelvinobryant and @tablemanners_ or Facebook: and
