Meet Gwendolynn Murphy | Actor, Dancer, Court Reporter, & Red Carpet Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gwendolynn Murphy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gwendolynn, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It seems that an artistic path kind of found me in a way. With the encouragement of my favorite elementary school teacher named Joy, I found myself singing and dancing a solo in my very first play. Somehow, being on stage seemed perfectly natural and even proved to be a much-needed outlet for an overly active and curious little girl. It enabled me to express myself in a new and profound way, helped unleash my imagination and, ultimately, provided a beautiful gift to my soul. I was transformed by this experience. The added bonus being that my performance was well-received, more plays followed, and things were set in motion for me creatively. So I gravitated toward the theater, music, and dance departments in school, knowing that my future would be in the arts.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artistic career is unique in that I’ve been juggling multiple careers. Having won academic scholarships, I elected to earn an AAS Degree in Court Reporting. Nothing to do with the arts, but I was determined to have a solid career. So I’ve worked as a freelance court reporter, an actor, and a professional dancer simultaneously, including three seasons as an NBA Dallas Mavericks Dancer. It was pretty challenging at first, but I managed to keep a good balance and this set a precedent for juggling careers.

Then two of my favorite beautiful people named Chris & Candy Smith with C&C Productions held an audition that led to my working in theatrical shows like “Moulin Rouge,” “Chicago,” and a solo performance in a multi-year US touring production called “The Body Art Ball” as my self-created character “Marilynn” (half Marilyn Monroe/half Marilyn Manson). This dual character has really resonated with others in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Letting my imagination run wild, I merged the two Marilyns in a way that I thought would be entertaining to watch and fun to perform. To my surprise, it was a hit all over the country! Planet Productions then featured “Marilynn” in the House of DIFFA “Alter Ego” runway show with eight tuxedoed backup dancers, and it was all for a good cause. This experience was truly magical and my heart was full.

For me, the process of bringing a character to life, the exhilaration of sharing it with others and, at times, the gift of knowing it has touched someone’s soul is what I love most. Being able to make others laugh, cry, cheer, escape reality or think outside the box has been some of the most gratifying moments. Like working with M. Legend Brown on his feature film “Hiding in Plain Sight,” where my character, Kathy Barnes, is homeless and living in a car with her college-educated husband and child. This experience was raw and visceral, as I found myself interviewing vulnerable homeless women, then filming nearby and sharing their truths, and later screening the film for audience members who expressed how they were now inspired to help others. THIS!!

Adding to the “special skills” section of my resume, I began hosting red carpet interviews with ReelNewz for the USA Film Festival, the Texas Hall of Fame, SXSW, the Asian Film Festival, and the Dallas International Film Festival. It’s been an amazing experience interviewing filmmakers and actors, and getting to see so many wonderful films from all over the world in a wide array of genres. I love exploring genres and, more recently, have been dabbling in Sci-Fi as the captain of a starship in a TV series, and as an astrophysicist in a feature film. These unique projects are being filmed with a green screen, which requires a little more imagination when interacting with people, places, and things that aren’t actually there. It’s one of those unusual but fun processes that makes me so grateful for my ongoing acting training, as being ready for anything is the name of the game in this fast-moving business!!

At the present time, you can catch some of my work on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi, and other streaming platforms in “Blind Blood,” “No Ordinary Love,” “Hiding in Plain Sight,” and “Murder Made Me Famous.” I am a SAG-AFTRA member represented by Rafael Villegas with the Kim Dawson Agency.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is so much to do in the DFW area and I tend to be drawn toward the more cultural & artistic-type places. One of my favorite things to do is catch a play at Shakespeare in the Park on a nice evening, then follow it up with some live jazz at The Balcony Club. Another fun day is going to the Bishop Arts District for brunch at one of the yummy hot spots, followed by a nice stroll exploring the trendy little shops that were once houses. For a little nightlife, there are several rooftop bars around Dallas to enjoy a craft cocktail, listen to live music, and take in a lovely city view. Taking some self-time at The Bar Method, yoga and dance classes, as well as scenic walks around White Rock Lake are definitely on the weekly itinerary. Adding a new adventure into the mix is always a must and could be something like catching an arthouse, independent or classic film at The Texas Theatre or even hopping on the Trinity Express and going to explore the Fort Worth area for the day! So many amazing options!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My beautiful family and friends have been such a key source of strength for me on this wildly creative path and I’m so grateful for each and every one of them. Through all of the ups and downs, they’ve always been there with open arms and supportive hugs; cheering me on, attending games, live theater performances and film screenings, as well as helping boost views on streaming platforms. Having such a loving family and knowing them to be my biggest “fans” has truly meant the world to me and kept me going strong.

In addition, I’ve been truly blessed with amazing teachers like Joy Davidson O’Neill, whose encouragement changed my life in the early years. The same can be said for my current mentor and coach, Glenn Morshower with the Extra Mile Working Actors Workshop, who has awarded me Extra Miler of the Year and Chameleon of the Year for my work in class. I couldn’t be more grateful for Glenn and the loving community he has built out of the goodness of his heart. He often refers to the workshop as a wellness course disguised as an acting class, and it’s so true!! In addition to growing as an actor, his leadership and guidance have helped me grow tremendously as a person, learn to find a good work-life balance, and enjoy the journey along the way. Teachers Rock!!

Website: https://www.imdb.me/gwendolynnmurphy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwendolynn21/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwendolynnmurphy.actress/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Gwendolynn_21

Other: Represented by the Kim Dawson Agency: https://www.kimdawsonagency.com/on-camera/women/1876683/gwendolynn-murphy

Image Credits
Danny Bollinger Craig Hughes Ed Duppstadt Thomas Garza Crissy Brookshire John “Doc” Strange Patrick Martin Stephen Duffy Hoss McBain Daniel Durrett John Gray James Cable