Every actor knows it is a struggle, even a mission impossible, to make it in L.A. So imagine attempting to launch a career as a senior citizen. In a youth-obsessed culture where 40 is over the hill for most actresses, Max Kerstein has proved that ambition and the right look is all it takes to build an acting career. Kerstein managed to go from being the publisher of The Beverage Bulletin, a business trade newspaper, to acting in a scene with Tom Hanks in Spielberg's Catch Me if You Can in a matter of eight years. Oh, and he'll be 80 years young in May.
"Acting was never in my plan as a career," Kerstein began. "I worked in communications for 39 years, and in 1996, Acme Talent & Literary moved next door. One evening I met my new neighbors, Adam and Lisa Lieblein, and she mentioned to me that I might do well in commercials because I had an interesting character face. So I thought I'd give it a shot."
Two years, 50 auditions, and no callbacks later, Kerstein started to realize that acting is a business and if he wanted to get anywhere he would have to study the craft. He went to various schools and workshops, including Bang. Improv Studios, CBS Comedy on the Lot, Take One Studios, and the SAG Conservatory.
"I'm very energetic, and I tend to come out over the top. And in commercial work, it's the people who are low-key that get the job," Kerstein explained. "So I went to Megan Foley's commercial workshop, and she told me to just be myself. It's all about making it believable, especially in commercials. When I started doing that, things started happening."
Since then, Kerstein has landed 15 commercials, done several bit parts in films, including Master of Disguise and Bedazzled, appeared in TV shows such as Scrubs and Providence, and landed parts in a few plays, including Detective Story and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Strangely, Kerstein's brush with fame came by ignoring someone's advice. "I have been told that to break through on major films one needs major credits, and if you want to be a principal, don't do background jobs as there is little opportunity to move ahead. Don't you believe it!" he warned.
After seeing Sande Alessi's call for extras in Back Stage West's casting section in January 2002 looking for 1950s- '60s-period-looking males, Kerstein responded and was called in to audition as one of the Penner Brothers in a printing scene of Catch Me If You Can. Steven Spielberg had decided on two other actors for the roles but apparently liked what Kerstein did on the audition tape enough to invite him to be a background player in that scene.
"Everyone had advised me before I went on the set not to look at him, not to talk to him, because he gets upset if he sees people looking at him." Kerstein said, smiling. "It's a myth. The man is a charmer. He's a wonderful, warm human being."
When Kerstein got there, he was shocked to be greeted by Spielberg himself. Then the famous director upgraded his role with some lines, and personally escorted Kerstein to his mark.
"It was just so cool," Kerstein said. "But the thing that Spielberg said to me that really registered was when the scene was over. He came over to me, put his arm around me, and said, 'Now you're in the movies.'"
Kerstein has learned that anybody at any age can be successful, and he offers his experiences and sage advice to many of the young actors while he moderates at SAG and AFTRA meetings. "Miracles do happen. I'm just a little neophyte in this whole great business of film and entertainment, but for the most part, people are looking for a face that will help them sell a product or entertain people," Kerstein explained. "If you have any kind of talent or creativity, they'll find you. Don't be disappointed if it doesn't work for you right away. Just keep working at it. Anybody at any age can be successful in this business or any other business that they put their mind to if they really want to work at it."
Kerstein boasts that he has found the fountain of youth through acting and his volunteer work doing background checks for the LAPD. "Again, no matter what your age is, whether you're working for the police department or doing acting work, senior citizens can play an important role in this country today. It's what keeps you young--by being able to keep doing things that you love."