An actor who is often cast in the role of ‘the rich white guy’ has revealed that the role he plays couldn’t be further from reality.
Doug Sharp, 59, spoke candidly with NBC this week about his struggle to make ends meet while living in Los Angeles.
He explained how, after reaching his 40s and earning a business degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, he couldn’t find a job. So for the past decade, his main source of income has been driving for Uber and Lyft.
But Sharp, who receives food stamps and relies on Medicaid for health insurance, also has a surprising side job as a paid extra in Hollywood.
“The older you get, the fewer roles there are,” he told NBC. “But the pool of older men is smaller — and shockingly, I always play the rich white guy, because that’s what I seem to be.”
He added: “But I didn’t know I looked like a rich white man until I started playing one.”
Doug Sharp, 59, regularly plays characters who have immense fortunes but struggle to make ends meet in real life
Although Sharp’s daily wage has increased from $200 to $1,200, the work is inconsistent
Sharp revealed that he recently landed a small role in a production starring two Hollywood A-listers.
But while his daily wage increased from $200 to $1,200, the work is variable.
“What I can tell you is that I hardly work,” the actor said.
He continued: ‘In May I worked two days, in April I worked four days, in March I worked two days, in February I worked two days, in January I worked one day.’
Sharp’s irregular schedule means he does not qualify for full benefits from the Screen Actors Guild. He has insurance through Medicaid.
To make ends meet, Sharp previously worked as an Uber and Lyft driver, but falling rates made it no longer worthwhile to drive for them.
“But the group of older men is smaller — and shockingly enough, I always play the rich white guy, because that’s who I look,” Sharp said of the casting possibilities.
In recent years, his limited income has been supplemented by a generous unemployment benefit payment due to the pandemic.
These days, Sharp largely relies on his erratic acting career to pay the bills.
“There is good money for a background position and there is always the possibility of promotion to director,” he said NBC.
‘That happened to me too, I haven’t found a replacement for it.’
Sharp lives alone in a living situation he describes as unstable.
The actor said he occasionally rents from a friend and that he also has an illicit agreement, which he doesn’t want to talk about.
In addition to his housing issues, Sharp also struggles to afford basic necessities.
To purchase some basic necessities, Sharp recently traded items he found at Home Depot and Walmart for cash or store credit.
In an effort to ease his financial situation, Sharp has started fulfilling delivery orders through UberEats, though he said the reward is hardly worth it
Sharp still owns a car, a Fiat 500, which he is trying to trade in for a newer one so he can get back to work as an Uber and Lyft driver, despite the reduced rates.
But he has serious doubts about whether his credit score is high enough to buy a new car.
The actor lamented his wealthy appearance and said it evoked contempt from others when they heard that he was poor.
“The only thing people hate is highly educated white men who look rich but are poor,” he said NBC.
He continued: ‘They think, “Oh, he’s probably lazy or on drugs. What’s his problem?”‘
The actor said this negative impression has alienated him from other people.
“I’ve seen my group of friends move,” Sharp said.
He added: ‘I’m ashamed of where I’m at in my life in terms of my finances and not knowing how to fix it.’
For Sharp, finding full-time employment proved more difficult than he expected.
“I’m willing to work hard, but why can’t I get a living wage?” he asked.
In a TikTok video earlier this year, Sharp spoke at length about his struggle to find work.
The actor told his followers: “It’s hard to find a job in Los Angeles if you don’t speak Spanish.”
Sharp’s statement sparked outrage among some users who left critical comments on his TikTok.
In a separate video this month, he shared some of these answers with his followers.
“Get out of LA,” one user said in Sharp’s comment. “You’re living in a cesspool,” another noted.
The actor then said that someone replied, “If you’re so smart, why don’t you just learn Spanish?”
“Another lady – one of my favorites – said I should move to Oklahoma and become the manager of the Flying J Truck Stop,” Sharp continued.
The actor lamented his wealthy appearance and said it evokes contempt from others when they hear that he is poor
“Everyone collectively thought I needed God,” he said, before adding with a grin, “Thank you.”
Sharp told NBC that even jobs in the fast food industry are hard to find.
This can perhaps be attributed in part to California’s new $20 minimum wage, which has made these positions more lucrative.
“It’s embarrassing because it feels like I’m not telling you a piece of the puzzle,” he said.
“I do everything I can.”