One Line Leads to Many: 'Boardwalk Empire' Actor Turns Bit Part Into Bigger Opportunity
"Boardwalk Empire's" Erik Weiner tells how he turned a bit part into a big one.
Dec. 1, 2010 — -- For many struggling actors, even a bit part on an Emmy-winning show like "The Sopranos" would have been a coup.
But actor Erik Weiner took his one line from the show -- "Leon, take your break at two" -- and wrote a song about it, recorded it on video and found that he had a viral smash on his hands -- a hit that would lead to a starring role on HBO's gritty new show "Boardwalk Empire."
"Somebody sent the video to Terence Winter, who is the creator of 'Boardwalk Empire,'" Weiner said. "he played it, he loved it and asked me to come in to audition."
Within weeks he had been approved not only by Winter, but by show producer and Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese and HBO.
Now, Weiner estimates he's been promoted from one line to maybe 73 lines.
"If keep going at that ratio from project to project I will be in a one-person movie soon," he said, "with all the lines."
Erik Weiner spoke with ABC's Jeremy Hubbard for today's Conversation. We hope you'll watch to learn more.
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