With more than 100 IMDB credits as a working actor over the last 15 years, I advise actors at all levels of experience on how to navigate a complex industry and make decisions that will better enable your career. No question is off-the-table from landing an agent (or finding a new one) to navigating social media, headshots and the best way to spend your professional downtime. If you’re looking for good advice from a coach who’s been a steady working actor for decades, let’s talk – I’m here to help
A Little More About Dan
Dan Payne was born in Victoria, BC, Canada and subsequently lived a nomadic lifestyle as his family moved a great deal. Appearing on the big screen in the feature films such as Cabin in the Woods, directed by Drew Goddard, John Tucker Must Die, directed by Betty Thomas, Watchmen, directed by Zach Schneider, Star Trek Beyond, Warcraft, Underworld: Awakening and many more.
Dan received awards and nominations for his performance in the the indie film “Mulligans,” (showing in festivals around North America). Payne also appears in numerous TV features such as A Time to Dance, All Yours, Aliens Ate My Homework, the television feature trilogy The Descendants (1,2 &3) as King Beast for Disney and many more. At 6’4 and 225 pounds Payne was a natural to become an athlete but he also had a thirst for higher education. Upon graduating from high school, he had earned several university scholarships and chose the University of Calgary for his post-secondary education. There he played volleyball for the U of C Dinosaurs, traveling throughout Canada. His successful volleyball career, which included coaching volleyball camps for special needs children eventually ended in Holland.
A subsequent move to Australia for four years to join his brother Josh led to becoming a professional photographer and a renewed love of the arts. He started in stand-up comedy, performing in shows that were co-written and co-directed by him and his brother. Eventually moving to London, England, Dan continued to study acting as well as to perform on stage and in film in London England, eventually returning to Canada once he had honed his craft and his confidence.
Payne’s motion picture career has blossomed since moving back to Canada. He has become a familiar face on television and was recently seen in a lead role on the CTV sitcom Alice I Think . He also had guest starring roles on such successful series as Dead Like Me, Whistler, The L Word, Saved, Just Cause, Stargate SG1, Stargate: Atlantis, Smallville, The Chris Isaac Show, Robson Arms and two Muppet movies: A Very Muppet Christmas and The Muppets Wizard of Oz.
Dan continues his efforts to constantly expand on his experiences in both comedy and drama, which only strengthens his life long passion for acting. His career has enjoyed growing success, and the future looks promising for Dan with his leading-man good looks and sense of humor.
