Inclusion In Hollywood

Case Study, Russell T. Russell

Russell is a very talented actor, born and raised in the Los Angeles area.
To hear Russell tell it, his challenge is that he is a good looking white male, and he has heard repeatedly that  “white is out”.  Not to mention the fact that his naturally blond hair puts him in a category he has been told by his agents cannot be sold. On auditions, Russell sees fewer and fewer of the ‘usual suspects’ he once competed against. Instead he sees a new crop of “ethnically ambiguous” actors, and he has begun to feel hopeless. 

What should Russell do? Dye his hair? Change his name to something ethnically flavored? Should he move to a
role behind the camera until his type comes back into vogue, or should he militantly stand and protest the changes he hears are taking place?