Next Act with Jeff Ornstein

Aaron Marcus - Full-time actor, model, mentor, author, lecturer and webinar host

What does it really take to build a successful acting career? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Aaron Marcus, a full-time actor, author, mentor, and commercial model who has booked nearly 1,300 acting and modeling jobs over a 40+ year career. Aaron shares his unconventional path into acting, the mindset that helped him overcome rejection, and the lessons he learned from auditioning 15 times before landing a recurring role on House of Cards. He also explains why actors must treat their careers like a business, how casting decisions are really made, and why focusing on the process is often more important than focusing on the outcome. Whether you're an actor, entrepreneur, or anyone pursuing a competitive career, this conversation offers practical lessons on resilience, persistence, and long-term success. The best may be yet to come.

Tom McElroy - Actor, Chicago Freelance

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor Tom McElroy to talk about a life shaped by faith, storytelling, theater, film, and unexpected turns. Tom shares how he moved from ministry into acting, what drew him to the stage, and why performance became more than a career path. He reflects on working in Chicago theater, appearing in productions like Prison Break, Chicago Fire, and The Dark Knight, and the lessons he has learned from decades in a difficult but deeply meaningful business. This conversation is about faith, resilience, creative calling, and the strange, funny, and powerful moments that come from chasing the work you feel called to do.

Luis Berrio – Actor, SAG-AFTRA

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor Luis Berrio to talk about his unexpected transition from a 24-year career as an NYC detective to building a second act in film and television. Luis shares how a small role in a music video sparked a new passion, why he started acting at 50, and how he learned to handle auditions, rejection, imposter syndrome, and the uncertainty of the industry. From Law & Order to FBI: Most Wanted, Luis opens up about finding confidence on set, embracing his type, developing his own acting style, and why community and support matter so much in the indie film world.

Michelle Falanga – Emmy-Winning Voice Actor, Writer & Storyteller

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Emmy-winning voice actor, actor, and writer Michelle Falanga for an honest conversation about creativity, reinvention, and building a career from unexpected opportunities.  Michelle shares how a chance improv performance at an insurance company launched a decades-long journey into acting and voiceover work, eventually leading to national campaigns, live stadium performances, and an Emmy-winning commercial. Along the way, she opens up about the emotional power of storytelling, the reality of building a freelance creative business, and the growing impact of AI on the voice acting industry.  The conversation also explores Michelle’s children’s book The Amazing Monster, her passion for helping people feel seen through storytelling, and why authentic human connection still matters more than ever in creative work.  If you’ve ever wondered how creative careers really happen, or how to turn unexpected moments into your next act, this episode is for you.

Jessica O'Donnell – Screenwriter, Actor & Comedian

What does it really take to walk away from a stable career and step into a creative life? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Jessica O’Donnell - screenwriter, actor, comedian, and story analyst - who made the leap from finance and higher education into the world of entertainment. Jessica shares how the pandemic became a turning point, giving her the space to finally write the screenplay she had always envisioned - Falls Candy - a grounded, character-driven story inspired by her hometown of Niagara Falls. From there, her creative career began to snowball. They dive into the realities of building a career in film and TV, including: *  How to evaluate what makes a story “commercial” vs. just compelling  *  Why real-life experience can be an advantage in acting  *  The discipline behind writing (even just a few minutes a day)  *  The difference between performing on stage and analyzing scripts  *  And what it looks like to build momentum across multiple creative paths  Jessica’s journey is a powerful reminder that your “next act” doesn’t have to be one thing - it can be a combination of passions that finally align. If you’ve ever thought about reinventing yourself, this conversation will make you rethink what’s possible.