COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new movie about how LeBron James went from Akron to the NBA is out now, but some of the Ohio actors featured in the movie are being impacted by the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes.
Actor Bryant Bentley said he was born for the stage. He’s been entertaining crowds as a part of a rap and dance group since the early '90s. He said he's still got it and his love for the stage turned into a decades-long career as an actor.
“I ended up winning overall showcase, and I got picked up by an agent,” Bentley said.
He quit his long-time job as a Dayton bailiff and started performing in mostly stage plays. Most recently, Bentley was picked up for one of his biggest roles yet.
“I gotta get to the house and take off. Got home, got my bags, drove, went to my trailer, and next thing you know I’m on set. It happened so fast,” Bentley said.
He plays a father in "Shooting Stars," a coming-of-age movie about how LeBron James make it from Akron to the NBA.
“It’s amazing. I've done this for a long time too, but I’m always happy, especially because he’s an Ohio native," Bentley said. "I’m a LeBron fan always been a LeBron fan."
A father of nine in real life, Bentley now calls Columbus home and flies across the country for acting jobs, but that's all slowed down. The Hollywood strikes have his acting career on hold.
“As a union actor, you know, we can’t work,” Bentley said.
He said he’s still looking for his next acting job and despite the struggle it’s all worth it.
“It’s definitely worth it. The strike is for our benefit," he said. "You just hope and pray things work out and you can get back to work."
