‘Walker’ Star Matt Barr Proves You’ll Never Get Anywhere By Playing it Safe

The following Career Dispatches essay was written by Matt Bar, who stars on The CW hit “Walker” and additionally appears on CBS’ “Blood and Treasure,” which will return for a second season later this year. He is also an executive producer of the Sony Pictures Classic feature “12 Mighty Orphans.”  

The great poet Rumi said “Jump!”  Simple yes, but I think it might be the key to the city. And the key in show business. We started in childhood: Whether it was jumping off the high dive at the local pool, or being the first to ask a girl to dance at your 6th grade winter formal, it was scary as hell. Terrifying. But remember afterwards, that feeling. 

As you broke the surface of the water, took a deep gasp of air, and heard the crowd at the pool cheering; when you finished that first dance with “Melissa” and walked back to the boys side of the floor, a newly minted legend amongst your fellow 11-year-olds; that feeling of euphoria. Pure satisfaction, when bravery trumped fear. You said to yourself, “I’m so glad I went for it.”        

I came to Hollywood almost 20 years ago, and I don’t pretend to know the secrets to success. But I do know some of the consistencies to success. Work the craft, be the strongest actor you can be, be savvy about the business, be a professional, and be a good human being (which are a couple of easy things in a relatively tough town). We hustle our asses off because hustle is a superpower in this business. I can’t emphasize enough the power and currency of fearless performing. Genius, talent, success, they’re all relative, but there is a common thread I’ve found to be consistent: We are stronger when we get out of our own way, and we go for it. Every time. 

We have to check that ego once we walk onto set or into that audition. Everyone there is hoping we give a great performance. It serves every single person on set if we are good at our job that day. And to be good, we can’t come from a place of fear. Clear the mechanism, commit, and let ‘er rip.  

I think of the times on set where I let my fear of failing or looking ridiculous dictate my choices on a given take. And while maybe my performance still told the story, and the director still called “cut, that’s good, moving on,” I knew I had played it a little safe; left a little on the field. Don’t leave it on the field. Odds are, if you really go for it, it’s gonna be special and elevate the production. And OK, maybe a strong choice is the wrong choice, but then we will all collaborate, and together, we will get it right.    

Taking risks is about trusting one another. Showing up for each other. That’s what it means to be a team. It got me thinking about our whole Hollywood ecosystem, how necessary we are to each other. This is one big team, a pretty special fraternity of artists, talents, business minds, extraordinary collaborators; the best of the best. We support each other. We’re all teachers and students.There are nuggets of wisdom everywhere around us. If we just stay curious, we’re constantly learning and growing. It becomes second nature. If the pandemic has taught us anything—or rather, “reminded” us of anything—it is how essential we are to one another.   

Being bold enough to take the leap is fucking hard. But then I remind myself of all the great creators and innovators and dreamers who took that leap, too. They were mortal, just like us. We all possess the gifts, and they are unique to each one of us.That is why it is so important we share them.So, sure, you can be scared, it’s human and it’s a great motivator. But when we question if we should play it safe and stay comfortable—instead, try throwing caution to the wind and let ‘er rip! Remember, don’t be afraid to win. Everyone is rooting for you to win. So hell, just jump!