Michael Beach Of ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ On The Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In TV & Film

…The third thing is to study and work hard. Have your own method, your technique, that allows you to tap into yourself. We’re all individual, and words and phrases mean different things to people. Some people wing it all the time, and maybe that works for them. But to be consistent and grow, you can’t just wing it. There needs to be a combination of your heart, soul, and mind. We are craftsmen. I don’t call myself an artist; I call myself a craftsman. That means I have to know my craft and have a process that helps me do the best job I can…

I had the pleasure of talking with Michael Beach. Michael, an established actor and producer, has made significant strides in the entertainment industry over a career spanning more than four decades. Known for his compelling performances and ability to imbue characters with depth and authenticity, Beach’s trajectory in Hollywood is marked by resilience, versatility, and a relentless work ethic — qualities he attributes to his upbringing.

Born in Roxbury, a neighborhood in Boston, Beach’s early life was shaped by his mother, a hard-working single parent. “My mom was a hustler, a hard worker. She taught me about hard work and not making excuses,” Beach recalls. His mother’s influence instilled in him a philosophy that hard work is its own reward, a principle he has carried into his professional life.

Beach’s path to acting was serendipitous. Initially a high school football player with dreams of playing in college, an injury redirected his ambitions. “Someone asked me to audition for a play. I was totally against it at first, but eventually, I said yes. I auditioned and fell in love immediately,” he recounts. This newfound passion led him to pursue theater education, where he discovered the intricacies and joys of acting.

Michael Beach’s career is characterized by a wide array of roles across television and film. He is currently prominent on Paramount+’s crime thriller series “Mayor of Kingstown,” where he reprises his role as Warden Kareem, the leader of the Kingstown prison guards. The series, lauded by Forbes as “an extremely good watch,” delves into the complexities of power dynamics within the prison system. Beach’s portrayal of Warden Kareem provides a nuanced look at a character balancing personal and professional turmoil.

In addition to his role in “Mayor of Kingstown,” Beach is also recognized for his performance as Mark Mitchell in “Tulsa King,” another Paramount+ hit. The series, starring Sylvester Stallone, follows the life of a New York Mafia capo navigating life in Tulsa after being released from prison. Beach’s role adds depth to the series, showcasing his ability to adapt to diverse storytelling styles.

Beach’s recent ventures include a standout role as Tragic Mick in Netflix’s supernatural series “Dead Boy Detectives.” The show, praised by the Los Angeles Times for being “cleverly written, smartly cast, sensitively played, marvelously realized,” features Beach as a critical character who aids the titular detectives. This role further exemplifies his versatility and commitment to exploring varied genres.

Looking ahead, Beach is set to appear in Netflix’s adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling novel “The Perfect Couple.” Starring alongside Nicole Kidman and Dakota Fanning, Beach’s involvement in this high-profile project is highly anticipated. The narrative centers around a high-society wedding that takes a dark turn with the discovery of a dead body, promising a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue.

Beach’s film work is equally noteworthy. His portrayal of Frank Hunt in “If Beale Street Could Talk,” directed by Barry Jenkins, garnered critical acclaim and contributed to the film’s numerous accolades, including Movie of the Year at the 2019 AFI Awards. Beach also played Manta/Jesse Kane in the blockbuster “Aquaman,” a role that highlighted his ability to perform in high-stakes, action-packed settings.

Throughout his career, Beach has often found joy in smaller, independent films, which he describes as having an “underdog spirit.” These projects, focused on personal growth and human experiences, resonate deeply with him, further demonstrating his passion for storytelling that prioritizes character development.

Despite his successes, Beach remains grounded and introspective about his journey. He reflects on early career challenges, such as a memorable mishap on the set of “Law and Order” that taught him the importance of preparation and resilience. This experience underscored his commitment to honing his craft, a dedication that has sustained his long and varied career.

Beach’s influence extends beyond his roles, as he considers the broader impact of his work and public presence. Advocating against the overuse of labels and encouraging a more nuanced understanding of individuals, he champions a message of empathy and open-mindedness. “If we could stop with the idea of labeling people and standing by these made-up labels, we would be so much better off,” he asserts.

For those looking to follow Michael Beach’s journey, he maintains a presence on Instagram, where he shares glimpses of his professional and personal life. As he continues to take on challenging and diverse roles, Beach remains a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, and authenticity in the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood.

Yitzi: Michael, it’s so nice to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Michael: Well, I’m from the East Coast. I was born in Boston, in a little town called Roxbury. I grew up with my mom, a brother, and a couple of sisters, without my dad. My mom was a hustler, a hard worker. She taught me about hard work and not making excuses. She was a little woman, like 5'1", but a firecracker. She’s passed away now, but I credit her with my desire to work hard just because I’m supposed to. Whether or not you get rewarded for it, I feel like hard work in and of itself is the reward. I think I got that from my mom.

Yitzi: Can you share with us the story of what brought you to this career as a successful actor?

Michael: I don’t know what made it successful, but I started acting near the end of high school. I was a football player with hopes of playing in college and had a few colleges looking at me. But it probably wouldn’t have led to anything big time. That was my dream, like so many kids from the inner city, you know, basketball, football, that type of thing. This was in the mid-70s. But I got hurt, and because of that, someone asked me to audition for a play. I was totally against it at first, but eventually, I said yes. I auditioned and fell in love immediately. It was really like the first rehearsal. I just fell in love with the idea of exploring why someone is doing something and what makes them choose to do it. That was it. I was hooked that fast. I spent about a year in high school acting and then learned about theater schools. I decided to audition for some because I didn’t even know they existed. I got into the ones I auditioned for, and that was it.

Yitzi: Amazing. You probably have some amazing stories from all parts of your career. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite memories or anecdotes from your professional life?

Michael: I don’t know if I can single out certain things. It’s been like 40 years. I often have fun with the smaller films. Not to say I don’t with the bigger projects, because I do, but the smaller films just seem to have much more of an underdog spirit. The reason they get made is because somebody has a fantastic idea about people. There’s no money to make a fantastical adventure, so they’re always about people and their journeys — learning something, developing, or growing into the person they want to be after some horrible event in their lives. I really connect with those, which is why I often do indie films, where nobody has money to make them. But I read the script, see what the director and producers are trying to do, and we fight hard and work hard, hoping it will turn out as they hoped. That spirit is still a big part of what I try to surround myself with.

Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you first started acting and the lesson you learned from it?

Michael: Man, it wasn’t humorous at the time. It’s happened a couple of times over the years, but I remember the original Law and Order. This was probably the second or third year it was on TV, so about 30 years ago. I went on to play a lawyer, and my first day, I killed it. They were all like, “Oh, my God, it’s so good. We might want to have you come back as a recurring character,” because it was just a guest star role. I was feeling great.

The next day, I go in to work with Sam Waterston and all the original guys on the show. There’s a “oner,” a one-take shot. We’re standing in a circle, and the Steadicam is going around us. It’s meant to be one continuous shot, not edited. I could not get my lines out. As the camera goes around, I keep messing up. Because it’s a oner, you have to get your lines right. They can’t edit this. After a few mess-ups, I was like, “Oh, my God, I’m sorry.” The pressure kept building, and Sam was being as wonderful as he could be, but it wasn’t getting better. It was just getting worse.

They had to redo everything, shooting a couple of different shots and sizes so they could cut around my mistakes. That has stuck with me all these years. That’s why I don’t like people saying, “Oh, my God, you were so great. I can’t wait to see what you do next.” It takes me back to that time. Usually, it’s no problem, but there have been a couple of other times where I freeze up or something reminds me of that incident. It’s one of the reasons I prepare like crazy before I show up on a job. I don’t care what it is, I prepare like crazy.

Yitzi: That’s great. It’s a great story. And I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing that.

Michael: Sure, sure. It happens.

Yitzi: So can you share with us some of the exciting projects you’re working on? Tell us why we have to watch Mayor of Kingstown.

Michael: Mayor of Kingstown, I think it’s one of those shows that actors really get excited to be on because it’s so raw. There are shows like it on TV, but this one captures those real moments. Even though the writing is fantastic, it’s really about the moments that happen, and that’s what they want to capture. I’ve done shows where they want you to be word-perfect, especially in TV. That doesn’t happen much in film, but in TV, sometimes they want you to be word-perfect, depending on the show. I’ve been on a couple of those shows that were really good, and while there’s an aspect to it that’s helpful, it doesn’t allow for some creativity in terms of whatever comes to you in that moment.

Mayor of Kingstown, for me, is like Sons of Anarchy. It welcomes the idea that whatever hits you, as long as it is full and honest and true, that’s what they want to see on screen. As an actor, it’s fantastic to work on a show like that. I also love Tulsa King. I have a great affinity for that. Mayor of Kingstown is a little bit harder-edged in that way, but Tulsa King is similar, though a little more comedic, especially for my character. In Mayor of Kingstown, my character is so tragic, but in Tulsa King, there’s a really great relationship between the father and the son. I enjoy both of those shows.

Yitzi: How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Michael, with the character you play, Warden Kareem, in Mayor of Kingstown? How are you similar, and how are you different?

Michael: Well, like I said, Kareem is much more tragic. It’s because of what he’s been through. I’m sure if I went through what he’s gone through, I wouldn’t be the guy I am right now. My personal life is much more positive. I have a much better outlook on life. I enjoy my life so much more — I enjoy my marriage and my family, not all the time, but most of the time. I think I’m living a dream life. Kareem is definitely not living a dream life. He’s constantly on the verge of drowning, metaphorically speaking. Almost every day, he’s fighting to keep his head above water. We’re all hoping he will succeed, but we’ll have to wait and see where he ends up.

Yitzi: Amazing. OK, so this is our signature question, Michael. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things you need to create a highly successful career in the entertainment industry?

Michael:

1. The main thing, I think, and it’s related to what we’re doing right now, is something I always struggle with and still struggle with — publicity. I was never looking to become famous or make a lot of money. I thought I was going to be a theater actor, and I was happy with that because I loved theater and the joy it gave me. But as soon as I graduated college, within two weeks, I was doing a movie. Oddly enough, I haven’t done much theater; I’ve mostly been doing film and TV. I don’t really do much publicity. If I had done more when I was younger, maybe I would be in a different place. Although, I’m very happy with my life. But you can always be somewhere more advanced. People often say, “You should be working more,” or “You should be whatever.” They don’t know I work all the time. It’s just that I’m not what a lot of people consider famous, which I don’t have a problem with. But we know that how much money you make is based on how well people know you and the publicity you get. So I’m kind of on the fence about it. I understand how the system works, but I’m not sure if I needed to pursue it to the extent of wanting to be famous or making a hundred million dollars. I do like my life, but I’m here doing publicity, so I know it has significance. That’s the main thing.
2. Another thing is to have fun. I love this work. It’s so much fun. At 60, I’m still having fun. I would definitely tell young people to have fun, enjoy it, and realize that when you’re on a job, you’re probably doing something that more than a million other people would love to be doing. And yet, there are still people who complain while doing this job that others would love to have.
3. The third thing is to study and work hard. Have your own method, your technique, that allows you to tap into yourself. We’re all individual, and words and phrases mean different things to people. Some people wing it all the time, and maybe that works for them. But to be consistent and grow, you can’t just wing it. There needs to be a combination of your heart, soul, and mind. We are craftsmen. I don’t call myself an artist; I call myself a craftsman. That means I have to know my craft and have a process that helps me do the best job I can.
4. Another important aspect is learning the technical side of acting. Things like hitting your mark, understanding lighting, and knowing when you’re in your light or not. Noise on set can be a problem too. Most actors hate doing ADR (re-recording lines), so if there’s a noise over an important line, I’ll go back and do it again to avoid re-recording. Also, being able to handle distractions, like people in your eyeline, without letting it throw you. These are little technical things that more actors should master to incrementally improve.
5. Finally, it’s about the work you do at home with the character — the arc, the wants, the needs, and the obstacles. All these things contribute to becoming a better actor over time. You don’t jump up to being an amazing actor overnight; it’s an incremental process.

Yitzi: So this is our final aspirational question. Michael, because of the great work that you’re doing and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

Michael: A movement. Spread an idea. I don’t know. That’s a good question. I think we label people too much. When you’re hit with a label, all those ideas out there in the world just stick with you, and it goes across everything — body image, political beliefs, everything. If you’re a Democrat or a Republican, all these labels give people the impression that they can put you in a box, that they now know you. If you believe this, then you’re that person. In the last five years or so, this has intensified, and it really bothers me.

If we could stop with the idea of labeling people and standing by these made-up labels, we would be so much better off. I try to avoid this in my personal life. When people talk about someone I don’t know, I say, “Look, I don’t know that person. I have nothing to say.” I feel like we can’t avoid judging people entirely, but we should at least get to know them first. For me, it’s not about judging but deciding if someone is the type of person I want to be around, someone I want to spend time with instead of my wife or kids.

As much as possible, I try to get to know people before forming an opinion. I’m not perfect in this, but I hate when we fall into these labels, and I wish we wouldn’t.

Yitzi: Amazing answer. Michael, how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they watch all of your shows? How can they support you in any way possible?

Michael: That’s a big question. I mean, they can, you know, IMDb me or something. I’m on social media, but only on Instagram. It’s just my name, Michael Beach, with a blue check — it’s only me. It’s funny, sometimes I read comments where people say, “This is not him. This is his people,” but nobody has my Instagram. It’s me. Everything written or said on there, every response, is from Michael Beach.

I have Instagram just to be social. I’m not selling anything or pushing any agenda. I’m not an activist — nothing against anyone who wants to be, but I am not. I’m just an actor, a husband, a father. I like the gym and fun stuff. That’s pretty much what my Instagram page is about. Every once in a while, I do post about a show I’m on, especially if I’m proud of it. That’s it. I don’t do X, Facebook, or anything else. Just my Instagram.

Yitzi: That’s great. Michael, it’s an honor to meet you. Thank you so much for your time. I wish you continued success and blessings. I hope we can do this again next year.

Michael: Yeah, yeah. Great. My pleasure, man. Those were some good questions. I appreciate it.

Yitzi: It’s really my pleasure. Thank you so much for the opportunity.