ACTOR/MODEL
59 and Fine Writer, model, actor G. Eric Smith shines By Autumn Mur r ay
G Eric Smith is a 59-year-old lifestyle model, actor, and screenwriter living in Atlanta who believes that “living your best life” means never giving up at any age. Smith’s passion for the film industry began at an early age. He and his younger brother, Jared, had an 8mm camera, and together they created short films by recording each other acting out parts and filming their surroundings on Long Island, New York. Their father was a New York City police officer assigned to the S.E.S. unit, which worked exclusively with the film industry. Smith and his brother went with their father on location to films and TV sets, and were eventually hired as extras in many ’70s films. They also appeared in several episodes of Sesame Street . Smith attended Roosevelt High School in Roosevelt, New York, where he met and became close friends with Eddie Murphy and joined Murphy’s comedy group— E MMK —a group of high school friends looking to find success in the comedy industry. During their time in high school, Murphy and the members of E MMK were doing their stand-up comedy routines at bars and gentleman’s clubs. Smith’s father, being a cop, was not thrilled with his son going to these types of places at such a young age, and put a stop to his stand-up comedy career at that time. Smith’s high school classmates also included several young promising black men that went on to lead highly successful and respected careers, including infamous rapper Chuck D from Public Enemy , singers Aaron and Damien Hall from the R&B group Guy , and basketball legend Julius Erving—“Dr. J.” Soon after high school, Eddie Murphy landed a job as a cast member on Saturday Night Live , of course, and is now one of the greatest comic legends of all time. After graduating high school, Smith joined the U.S. Air Force and served from 1981-1991. During that time, he entered the Tops in Blue competition at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where he won MC/Master of Ceremonies. Following his win, he re-launched his stand-up comedy routine with much success. He opened for R&B artists Ray, Goodman & Brown, and several other popular entertainers at the time who visited and entertained the active-duty troops.
G. Eric Smith
“ My writing primarily focuses on African- American culture and overcoming generational curses and superstitions. ” In terms of his writing, currently, he shares, “My writing primarily focuses on African-American culture and overcoming generational curses and superstitions. I like to think outside of the box and write storylines that are different vs. recycling what has already been done. I am looking forward to obtaining financing and distribution for my projects and sharing my stories with the world.” When the silver-haired gentleman is asked what advice he has for others his age in the industry, he states, “Age is literally just a number. Don’t let your age or self-doubt hold you back from anything. The saying ‘act your age’ doesn’t mean anything because on the inside, I feel young. I don’t ever want to feel old.” For modeling, Smith is signed with The Salt
Photo courtesy G. Eric Smith
G. Eric Smith
Throughout his lifetime, Smith has held a variety of jobs, including comedian, actor, Baptist preacher, U.S. Air Force Airman, correctional facilities officer, and home contractor, rounding out the top jobs that he has held while building his career. When asked about his future career goals, Smith says, “My main goal is to be a successful screenwriter. I am equally involved in writing, modeling, and acting, but writing is what I am most passionate about and I believe it is what I do best. I’ve done a lot of ghostwriting for people over the years and have written several television and movie scripts. I’m currently shopping three scripts; one is a feature film and the other two are episodic projects.”
Agency, an editorial, fashion, runway, lifestyle, and commercial modeling agency. For acting, he is signed with Aligned Stars Agency, a talent agency focused on representing performers in film, television, commercial, print, voiceover, and industrial. His girlfriend, Sonya Seigler, manages his social media channels and professional bookings. “Sonya and I are a team, and for the first time in my life I have someone who believes in me, gives me advice, and supports me unconditionally. Together, we can accomplish anything we set out to achieve.”
@gericsmith47
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