Actor Mitch Longley is one of the most successful and highly visible performers with a disability in the entertainment industry.
On a recent episode of the ABC series "Desperate Housewives," Longley, a wheelchair user, was featured opposite actress Eva Longoria Parker arguing over a handicapped parking space. The script called for physicality, which is normally unheard of for a wheelchair user.
"I didn't use a stunt double. I have to act as if I can't defend myself, but we're as tough as nails. I encouraged the physicality. I deserved what I got because my character grabbed her and you don't do that to a woman," Longley explains, "I was curious about this role. The physicality intrigued me. We talked about it in the audition. George Perkins, Executive Producer, welcomed me to the show. Larry Shaw, the Director and Executive Producer, was open-minded to hear my suggestions. It was a great experience."
In fact, bloggers online have taken notice as video of the "Desperate Housewives" scene has quickly gained an audience on desperateblog.com, www.YouTube.com, and other websites.
Longley, who recently finished a five-year run as a series regular on the hit NBC television show "Las Vegas," credits the creator and writers for believing in his character.
"I got that audition with the help of the Media Access Office. When I first started, my character's name was 'Surveillance Team Member #1.' My character transformed into Mitch Sassen. They let me take the ball and run with it. I applaud them for that," Longley credits, "'Las Vegas' was my longest job. The show went into syndication at the beginning of the third season, which is unprecedented. 'Las Vegas' was a great experience. To start on the show at the very beginning, watch the way it evolved, it was successful and stayed that way until the very end. 'Las Vegas' was really cool because I felt I did something that I haven't seen a show do. By giving a wheelchair using character an active social life, they took it to the next level."
Longley's character on "Las Vegas" was unlike anything ever seen on television or film, because he was portrayed with a progressive approach.
"They threw me in a couple of bachelor parties and I wake up in bed with two strippers. My character was going to strip clubs and got drunk doing shots out of a woman's cleavage," Longley remembers, with a laugh. "My character also got into a physical fistfight with the bouncer. I threw a punch and I punched a doorman. He picked me up and put me on the table where one of the pole dancers was dancing. I've never done an on-air punch and that was myth busting. It blows apart the preconceived notion that guys in chairs can't defend themselves. The creator and producer of 'Las Vegas,' Gary Scott Thompson, received a Visionary Award from the non-profit group Life Rolls On and founder Jesse Billauer for being the only national program that featured a character with a spinal cord injury. It was a nice thing to receive and it was important to recognize that show for what you should do with a character who has potential."
With his incredible groundbreaking work, Longley appreciates that he has had more auditions in the last year as he's been witnessing changes in the industry.
"I feel blessed to work consistently and when there are actors such as myself and others who are acting consecutively year after year, we are consistently visible. Who knows what young person is being inspired by that. Maybe there's a great disabled comic and they're looking for comics. That person could have a top ten show," Longley says, "My hope is that in the next five to ten years, I would love to see five young performers with disabilities under the age of 20 or 25, who have been around for a while, rise to attention. I'd like to see a young child with a disability who is a fabulous actor come up through the ranks and get killer work so that we can watch a career develop like we do with other actors. I'd also like to see a wider range of actors who are older with disabilities fit into storylines."
Longley recognizes that reality television has limited the scope of parts for all actors, not only performers with disabilities.
"Listen, we're talking about Hollywood. It's not inclusive. In fact, it's more exclusive than ever before. It's not just a question mark for disabled performers. With an onslaught of reality television, where is the actor now? The actor is minimized, turning it into a hobby instead of a career. The public, of course, suffers even when they don't understand that their choices are more limited. It may turn around as it reaches saturation," Longley notes, "On the other hand, there are more cable shows that do their own original programming and they are very popular. They're more independent minded, more creative, not necessarily stressed out trying to get 20 million people to watch their show. There's more of a willingness to be flexible."
Acting since a young age, Longley fell in love with performing.
"I've been doing some work acting since I was a little kid. When I was 10-years-old, I was in a musical in Connecticut, where I was a paid performer in fifth grade. I've been doing it all my life. My injury came when I was a senior in high school in a car accident. It slowed me down," Longley admits, "but it didn't stop me or my interest in acting. My goal now is a year-to-year goal which is to be eligible for health insurance and that minimum keeps getting higher and higher each year. I've been lucky enough to reach that minimum each year. If I didn't reach that goal I'd have to get a job outside of the entertainment industry. In the last three to five years, I've seen lots of changes and more opportunities, new roles and more auditions. But, lead roles are not opening up. We're still kind of in a category where writers and producers think, 'We've done it all. What can we do now to be new and different?' That's when they think of us, not as permanent characters."
With interest in documentary films such as "Murderball," Longley has performed on the Showtime cable series "Weeds" as a rugby referee and auditioned for a role as a rugby player on the NBC series "My Name is Earl."
"When Hollywood sees something like 'Murderball,' which shows quadriplegic people smashing into each other, it just shines a new light onto the physicality of some disabled people. They get ideas and a willingness to add it as a storyline. Physicality transcends their disability. Let's look at sports and athletics. Do you have the emotional makeup for the X-Games? Do you have the mental makeup to be a daredevil and enjoy speed? Those things are really fun to experience regardless of where you're coming from. Even disabled people love to experience speed," Longley explains, "Early in my career, I did my own stunts. For one scene, it was physical and I fell out of my own wheelchair onto a foam mat. I did the take twenty times and it felt great. Why not include physical action for people with disabilities?"
One of the things Longley is adamant about is violence against women.
"I've turned down a couple of auditions for films because they didn't interest me. Especially if a script involves violence against women, I won't do it. It's a pet peeve of mine. I know what fits for me and what I'm comfortable with," Longley stresses, "I've been lucky in finding success in television, but film is still impenetrable in some ways. When you look at the lead characters through film and television history, there should be at least a couple of performers with disabilities in lead roles since there are 52 million disabled people. But, it isn't handed to you in this industry. Even though people feel like they have some talent, you need to cultivate it, you've got to keep the ball rolling and keep active. Sometimes you have to write your own play, sitcom or screenplay. You have to actively create your own work."
In fact, Longley did exactly that. He wrote and produced a one-man play entitled "Courting Darkness," which he performed at the Hudson Backstage and Odyssey theatres.
"My one-man show was a pivotal experience for me. I raised money for it, produced it, found a great director, and it helped me a lot as an actor," Longley says, "That show also gave me confidence for my future work in television."
Longley remains grateful for being a part of the process and finding success with his own unique voice.
"I'll keep my fingers crossed and keep working for 10 or 20 years," Longley adds, "I'd like to have a full career and feel good about it."
For more information on the Media Access Office link to www.disabilityemployment.org/med_acc.htm.
For more information on the Screen Actors Guild Performers with Disabilities Committee visit www.PerformersWithDisabilities.com.
On a recent episode of the ABC series "Desperate Housewives," Longley, a wheelchair user, was featured opposite actress Eva Longoria Parker arguing over a handicapped parking space. The script called for physicality, which is normally unheard of for a wheelchair user.
"I didn't use a stunt double. I have to act as if I can't defend myself, but we're as tough as nails. I encouraged the physicality. I deserved what I got because my character grabbed her and you don't do that to a woman," Longley explains, "I was curious about this role. The physicality intrigued me. We talked about it in the audition. George Perkins, Executive Producer, welcomed me to the show. Larry Shaw, the Director and Executive Producer, was open-minded to hear my suggestions. It was a great experience."
In fact, bloggers online have taken notice as video of the "Desperate Housewives" scene has quickly gained an audience on desperateblog.com, www.YouTube.com, and other websites.
Longley, who recently finished a five-year run as a series regular on the hit NBC television show "Las Vegas," credits the creator and writers for believing in his character.
"I got that audition with the help of the Media Access Office. When I first started, my character's name was 'Surveillance Team Member #1.' My character transformed into Mitch Sassen. They let me take the ball and run with it. I applaud them for that," Longley credits, "'Las Vegas' was my longest job. The show went into syndication at the beginning of the third season, which is unprecedented. 'Las Vegas' was a great experience. To start on the show at the very beginning, watch the way it evolved, it was successful and stayed that way until the very end. 'Las Vegas' was really cool because I felt I did something that I haven't seen a show do. By giving a wheelchair using character an active social life, they took it to the next level."
Longley's character on "Las Vegas" was unlike anything ever seen on television or film, because he was portrayed with a progressive approach.
"They threw me in a couple of bachelor parties and I wake up in bed with two strippers. My character was going to strip clubs and got drunk doing shots out of a woman's cleavage," Longley remembers, with a laugh. "My character also got into a physical fistfight with the bouncer. I threw a punch and I punched a doorman. He picked me up and put me on the table where one of the pole dancers was dancing. I've never done an on-air punch and that was myth busting. It blows apart the preconceived notion that guys in chairs can't defend themselves. The creator and producer of 'Las Vegas,' Gary Scott Thompson, received a Visionary Award from the non-profit group Life Rolls On and founder Jesse Billauer for being the only national program that featured a character with a spinal cord injury. It was a nice thing to receive and it was important to recognize that show for what you should do with a character who has potential."
With his incredible groundbreaking work, Longley appreciates that he has had more auditions in the last year as he's been witnessing changes in the industry.
"I feel blessed to work consistently and when there are actors such as myself and others who are acting consecutively year after year, we are consistently visible. Who knows what young person is being inspired by that. Maybe there's a great disabled comic and they're looking for comics. That person could have a top ten show," Longley says, "My hope is that in the next five to ten years, I would love to see five young performers with disabilities under the age of 20 or 25, who have been around for a while, rise to attention. I'd like to see a young child with a disability who is a fabulous actor come up through the ranks and get killer work so that we can watch a career develop like we do with other actors. I'd also like to see a wider range of actors who are older with disabilities fit into storylines."
Longley recognizes that reality television has limited the scope of parts for all actors, not only performers with disabilities.
"Listen, we're talking about Hollywood. It's not inclusive. In fact, it's more exclusive than ever before. It's not just a question mark for disabled performers. With an onslaught of reality television, where is the actor now? The actor is minimized, turning it into a hobby instead of a career. The public, of course, suffers even when they don't understand that their choices are more limited. It may turn around as it reaches saturation," Longley notes, "On the other hand, there are more cable shows that do their own original programming and they are very popular. They're more independent minded, more creative, not necessarily stressed out trying to get 20 million people to watch their show. There's more of a willingness to be flexible."
Acting since a young age, Longley fell in love with performing.
"I've been doing some work acting since I was a little kid. When I was 10-years-old, I was in a musical in Connecticut, where I was a paid performer in fifth grade. I've been doing it all my life. My injury came when I was a senior in high school in a car accident. It slowed me down," Longley admits, "but it didn't stop me or my interest in acting. My goal now is a year-to-year goal which is to be eligible for health insurance and that minimum keeps getting higher and higher each year. I've been lucky enough to reach that minimum each year. If I didn't reach that goal I'd have to get a job outside of the entertainment industry. In the last three to five years, I've seen lots of changes and more opportunities, new roles and more auditions. But, lead roles are not opening up. We're still kind of in a category where writers and producers think, 'We've done it all. What can we do now to be new and different?' That's when they think of us, not as permanent characters."
With interest in documentary films such as "Murderball," Longley has performed on the Showtime cable series "Weeds" as a rugby referee and auditioned for a role as a rugby player on the NBC series "My Name is Earl."
"When Hollywood sees something like 'Murderball,' which shows quadriplegic people smashing into each other, it just shines a new light onto the physicality of some disabled people. They get ideas and a willingness to add it as a storyline. Physicality transcends their disability. Let's look at sports and athletics. Do you have the emotional makeup for the X-Games? Do you have the mental makeup to be a daredevil and enjoy speed? Those things are really fun to experience regardless of where you're coming from. Even disabled people love to experience speed," Longley explains, "Early in my career, I did my own stunts. For one scene, it was physical and I fell out of my own wheelchair onto a foam mat. I did the take twenty times and it felt great. Why not include physical action for people with disabilities?"
One of the things Longley is adamant about is violence against women.
"I've turned down a couple of auditions for films because they didn't interest me. Especially if a script involves violence against women, I won't do it. It's a pet peeve of mine. I know what fits for me and what I'm comfortable with," Longley stresses, "I've been lucky in finding success in television, but film is still impenetrable in some ways. When you look at the lead characters through film and television history, there should be at least a couple of performers with disabilities in lead roles since there are 52 million disabled people. But, it isn't handed to you in this industry. Even though people feel like they have some talent, you need to cultivate it, you've got to keep the ball rolling and keep active. Sometimes you have to write your own play, sitcom or screenplay. You have to actively create your own work."
In fact, Longley did exactly that. He wrote and produced a one-man play entitled "Courting Darkness," which he performed at the Hudson Backstage and Odyssey theatres.
"My one-man show was a pivotal experience for me. I raised money for it, produced it, found a great director, and it helped me a lot as an actor," Longley says, "That show also gave me confidence for my future work in television."
Longley remains grateful for being a part of the process and finding success with his own unique voice.
"I'll keep my fingers crossed and keep working for 10 or 20 years," Longley adds, "I'd like to have a full career and feel good about it."
For more information on the Media Access Office link to www.disabilityemployment.org/med_acc.htm.
For more information on the Screen Actors Guild Performers with Disabilities Committee visit www.PerformersWithDisabilities.com.
