It sounds like the copy from a movie preview: “A young man from a family most would consider rich, leaves the blanket of money he cannot touch to become a thriving young Las Vegas entrepreneur. Engaged for marriage and at the top of his game, he discovers he’s being robbed blind by a close business associate. Enraged he, without thought, takes a spontaneous backpacking trip through Europe with his best friend and comes to realize he has not followed his passion, to become an actor. One night he breaks off his engagement, packs a bag and heads to Los Angeles to begin a great career in movies like “Spider Man III” and TV Shows like “Entourage.” Yes this is the story of Tony Besson.”

Tony Besson: Young Hollywood

Tony who? You know Tony Besson –  the young Hollywood actor from “Spider Man III” and “Jumper” you’ve never heard of, because you were too busy watching reality TV the past 10 years.

We’ve all been guilty of it – mindlessly engrossed by The Hills, Paris Hilton’s crotch, Tila Tequila’s MySpace Fame, NeNe from the Real House Wives of Atlanta, the mom with 8 kids, the mom with 12 kids, the short mom, the swapped moms… etc. etc. Because all these new “celebrities” whom have multiplied by exponential numbers and garnished our attention, the people with talent, you know actors like Tony Besson, have been subjected to being treated like 2^nd rate citizens on red carpets.

All though they are part of cast and crew, they are placed on roll call lists at Hollywood events and charity functions, because the photographers no longer know who is who, or what they are supposed to be “famous” for, because anyone with a MySpace can become a celebrity.

So how does a young Generation-Y actor in their quarterlife cope in a world where “entertainment” means turning over a table on Bravo?

According to Tony Besson, he finds the ultimate feeling of success from his acting career in the smallest events and accomplishments; and as far as the reality “stars” – he simply turns a blind eye to them in knowing they’ll soon fade away.

To understand how Besson came to be of this mature mindset, or as Samuel L. Jackson told him, his “swagga,” you have to understand the essence of him. The bold headed 17-year-old who moved out from his parent’s house, to the 24-year-old who sold his successful business to move to LA to pursue his passion of acting.

When most people Besson’s age were having their “quarterlife crisis,” or as Besson prefers to say the, “Oh shit moment,” he was stable in his life and learning to accommodate the ups and downs of his passion of a Hollywood career.

Besson says, “most people our age wake up one day and realize that, ‘oh shit – my friends are out of college, my friends are starting successful careers, my friends are getting married and starting families…and I’m not.’ That’s the ‘Oh Shit’ moment.” And as far as having an “Oh shit moment” of his own, Besson says it’s not for him. He did describes how for him, his life was an inverse of how most people would view the natural progression of one’s profession.

Extremely independent, Besson has been doing his laundry before he was 10, and this is not what you’d assume from a kid who comes from a successful family. Yes, his parents had money – $75,000 cars and all, but he was not privy to a blank check like on TV. He says, “They never just handed me cash, I was around it, I grew up and had everything I needed, but I never just had cash. I chose to work 40-hours a week scooping ice cream so that I could buy the things I wanted.” Besson appreciates this upbringing because he attributes his independent trait to this.

His independence truly came to fruition when he decided to leave his parents home at the age of 17, not because he had bad blood with his family, but because he had his own plans.

Three days after moving out, he had his own apartment and rented furniture, because his parent’s would not allow him to take their furniture with him. Shortly after, through professional connections, Besson was managing one of the quintessential businesses of the late 90s – early 2000’s: A cellphone accessory kiosk.

Jokingly Besson says, “Dude, you know everyone was into those things – you were, I was…we all did it!” (Guilty, I couldn’t resist those ‘Dolla Billz’ Nokia Covers!)

He was doing well, managing then owning 4 Kiosks in the Southwest, living the life in Las Vegas, engaged for marriage…all this the age of 20. Things were picturesque to the eyes of this man, until he went to collect the money envelopes from one of his kiosks one night, and through a series of events came to learn his best manager and friend had been literally robbing him blind.

Now, although this would seem like the perfect time to have a quarterlife breakdown – Besson took this downtime and turned into a defining moment for himself. He received the summer itinerary of his best friend who was studying abroad, hopped a flight to Spain and knocked on the door of his friend’s hostel room at 2am and said “I heard we’re backpacking through Europe.”

We all know an escape is all good and fun until you have to go home. Upon his arrival back in Las Vegas, he remembered what his father always told him, “you have to figure out what you love doing in life, then figure out how to make money doing it.” Besson didn’t enjoy selling light-up antennae to 13-year-old-girls, he loved acting.

Besson says, “acting is a gift – and a privilege, and it’s what I enjoy.” So, when he decided this is what he wanted to do he, as spontaneously as his European trip, broke off his engagement, packed a bag and over the course of a few trials, finally moved to LA permanently to pursue his passion.

For Besson, the passion to become an actor is not about the women, clearly not the money nor the notoriety, he says there is only one reason he acts and it’s, “to be able to take someone, anyone; someone who just got an A on their Geometry test, or someone who’s mom just died, and put them in a movie theater or in front of a stage and remove them from whatever emotional state they are in and make them feel what your character is feeling – that is why I am here, and I am extraordinarily thankful for that.”

Upon hearing this, you have to wonder what the reality TV “celebs” are really out there for? Do they want to move people with their work, or sell their clothing lines? Besson says because of the economy from the early 2000’s investors weren’t into shelling out millions for quality actors when you could pay a few grand to some nobody to be on reality TV, and this is what is hurting the drive of many young actors today.

The recognition of the talent of young actors, according to Besson, is diminished due to what we as a generation have accepted and reflected as a entertainment; leaving the quality actors high and dry with no work, killing their chance to show their talent.

However for Besson, his drive comes from knowing he will do something amazing and receiving respect for his hard work; and he has received that respect from the best sources.

One of the coolest moments Besson has had as an actor, was when he was when he was taking any work to get him on set. He was playing as a stunt double on the film Jumper and while working closely with the stars, had the opportunity to chat with Samuel L. Jackson about various topics unrelated to the current project. Besson recalled in the middle of one of their conversation, Jackson said, “Can I just say something real quick?” Besson interjected, “…Really, you’re Samuel L. Jackson! Do you have to ask permission to speak?!” After a quick laugh, Jackson said, “You gotta cool little swagga about you – I like it.”[Check Out Tony's IMDB]

A boost like this is what keeps Besson going despite the flood of competition he faces for his character type. He says it’s not uncustomary to hear of thousands of auditioners coming for the same role, of which ultimately 5 are shown before the producers for roles.

With a classic comedic persistence, Besson continuously strives to achieve his goals of landing roles similar to the “asshole/cool guy” parts of Ryan Reynolds, but he ideally would like a dynamic career like Leonardo DiCaprio, of whom he greatly respects his career and personal style.

Though he has not made the headlines yet, with that proverbial game changing role, Besson says in reality it’s hard to find the “game changing” role these days, due to the dynamics of the entertainment world. Besson referenced films likes “Capote”, and actor Philip Seymour, who stepped away from his regular character roles and made a brilliant film. However, people outside the academy didn’t take it seriously; so as Besson says, you have to go for what your passionate about, because you never really know which role will be “the best role” ever, or which will lead to debatable reviews.

As a young actor, Besson has come to realize the change in entertainment from quality performances to questionable housewives, and he has gained more respect for up and coming actors and says people should give more support to these people for their hard work.

He says, “unless you can afford a great publicist or you’re a rockstar, no one cares about you in the Hollywood limelight and events. It shouldn’t be where at movie premieres, you have the cast and crew of 150 people in a venue for 500, that is then filled by paid seat-fillers, radio contest winners and other random people. Those seats should be reserved for those of us in the industry who care about what has taken place.”

So, is acting for anyone who appreciates a good film? Can we all move to LA and gain the respect of the public and academy by leaving behind our lives? “Probably not,” Besson says, and rightfully so – despite people stressing too much on the rules of life and settling for what will pay the bills, people need to pursue their passion, even if that doesn’t mean the “ultimate success.”

As Besson says success varies for each person. For him, it’s clearly not the six-figure income he was making in Las Vegas but more the sense of accomplishment from reaching certain milestones. He said, “if I could shoot 4-episodes on a hit TV show like, “How I met you mother,” “Two and Half Men,” or “Dexter” tomorrow, and not work for 6months, the momentum and sense of accomplishment it would give me would be success in itself”

If everyone went after their passions with an unabashed intent like Besson, some of us would probably go hungry; but for him, his passion to achieve his success feeds him, and is what keeps him landing better roles and auditions. He said, “I’ll quit trying to ‘be an actor’ probably the day I die” I asked him, if everyone should live by that mantra, he said, “no, that’s crazy.”

###

Since we last spoke, Tony was cast in a role for a national commercial for Pizza Hut. In the grand-scheme of things, it may seem like a minor step, however after a dry spell at the end of 2009, Tony says this is a great start to the new year. You can find Tony on Twitter at @TonyBesson where he likes to keep in contact with people who are outside of his “circle of friends” and gives him support.