Breaking Into Show Business

What comes to mind when you think of Hollywood: fame, fortune, success or scandal? There is more to show business than just being famous. It requires work, dedication, a tough exterior and a Screen Actors Guild card.

Jimmer Dillman has worked in the entertainment industry for over 40 years and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

"I started in the entertainment industry when I was very young by doing stand up comedy," Dillman said. "I just always knew that the entertainment business was what I wanted to do."

In 1979, Dillman moved from Montgomery City, Mont. to California, and began working for television and radio stations.

"I worked in the Ventura/Oxnard market on KBBQ and 96.7 The Bus," Dillman said. "I was also a weatherman for 15 years with CBS affiliate stations."

Obtaining his SAG card took little to no time for Dillman. It takes awhile to get a SAG card usually, depending how long it takes to get a principal role in a movie or television show.

"I got my SAG card right away when I came to California," Dillman said. "I have been a member since 1980."

As a member of the SAG, Dillman attends meetings with celebrities, award shows and votes for nominated movies in the SAG Awards.

"I get to screen movies before they are released to the public, so that I can vote on them for the Screen Actors Guild Awards," Dillman said.

Dillman has been in 13 movies, such as "Erin Brockovich", "Run Don't Walk", "Not In Front of the Children", "Honky Tonk Freeway" and "Death Wish".

"Some celebrities that I have worked with are Jeff Bridges, Henry Thomas, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Jerry Lewis, Johnny Cash and Henry Winkler," Dillman said. "I also worked with Scott Baio, John Lithgow, Reba McEntire, Denzel Washington, Steven Spielberg and Tim McGraw. Some celebrities that I have met were Mel Gibson and Jessica Simpson."

Even though Dillman makes weekly trips to meetings in Hollywood with the stars, he has very few true friends.

"When it comes to friends it depends on what you really call 'friends'," Dillman said. "My closest friends are Allison Arngrim from 'Little House on the Prairie' and Johnny Lee who is a country singer and played in the movie 'Urban Cowboy.'"

Dillman has been a DJ for Kat Country 100.7 for over 18 years for El Dorado Broadcasters. He co-stars with Karilynn in the Jimmer & Karilynn Show.

Aside from being a DJ, Dillman participates in community events and emcee's events throughout Southern California. As a local celebrity, participating in community service is very important.

"Since I have been involved in the community, I have received numerous community service awards," Dillman said.

Breaking into show business can either be easy, with gigs lined up for the next year; or it can be tough due to rejection or not fitting the exact description of what the cast director has in mind for the role.

"The best advice that I can give is to be sincere, stick with it and make sure it something that you want," Dillman said. "Also, you must be able to develop a tough skin, because rejection is something that you will have to accept in this business."

The Screen Actors Guild is the largest labor union representing working actors. The Guild enhances actors' conditions, compensation and benefits.

The SAG has 20 branches worldwide and they represent nearly 120,000 actors who work in motion pictures, television, commercials, industrials, video games and other new media formats.

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