People ask me that all the time. Of course you’re on StoneyRichards.com but the first thing you see is I’m Charles David Richards. Whaaa!!

Well yes, and it’s all true.

Stoney Richards is my radio created character that I’ve played for about 40 some years on the air from Cleveland to Washington DC to Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. Funny thing though, as I’ve been working as an actor at the same time, especially in Los Angeles and since at one TV series audition, I used my airname of Stoney Richards. The gang behind the table knew of me from radio and one of the producers said, “Wow, we don’t have any parts for DJs!”

That was all I needed to hear, so, since then all my work as an actor has been under the name of Charles David Richards, my real name and as Shakespeare said, “Thereby hangs the tail.”

I’m happy to say I’ve been cast in the TV series Banshee which will start shooting soon. Can’t reveal much except what I’ve seen from the script reading and it looks good.

Best news is – I’m in. I’ll keep you up to date when we start shooting.

I can say I’m playing a certain Judge and after playing many priests, ministers and doctors I think this qualifies for the triple play hat trick to add a Judge to the repertoire.

Check back for updates-next case.

If you check in daily you will find almost daily posts on this page from me. Yesterday after 19 years on the air at one radio station WDSY(CBS) I decided to move in the direction my heart has been telling me to go for some time, and instead of sharing my time between radio and my work as an actor I made acting my #1 profession.

I did that yesterday and with that received much love from my daily radio audience and all my friends and colleagues in country music. It was a wonderful day and a happy decision.

So often it’s been said that being an actor is all about looking for work. I think I can abridge that somewhat by saying, being an actor is all about DOING the work you know you’re meant to do.  Looking for work means you may become proficient at simply “looking” for work. DOING the work can mean that you are involved in doing the work that is your craft.

Yes you need to cultivate all the tools, the contacts, auditions, scene work, monologues, pictures, resumes and such but that is the work we do. Not just hoping someone says “yes”. Those “yesses” come. Enjoy the work you’re doing in the meantime.

We all look for scripts that are page turners so why not in the episodes of our lives. I am moving on to the next chapter, the next scene so to speak. I’m  leaving my daily radio show on Y108(CBS Pittsburgh in case you didn’t know)to work full time as an actor. That’s pictures, resumes, auditions, meetings, scene work, the business of being an actor. All that work often ends up on the screen or the stage but it’s the work that gets you there.Although on the radio I’ve always been known as Stoney Richards I now concentrate on Charles David Richards, my real name.  Why the difference in names? When I was working both in radio as a dj and as an actor in Los Angeles I went  to an audition and the director said he recognized my face. “Why was that he asked.” I told him I was on the air at KLAC in Los Angeles and he said, “Yes, of course” but then his demeanor changed. “Hey, I’m Sorry”, he said, “but we’re not looking for any dee jays.”Right then and there I always went to auditions as Charles David Richards. Oddly enough though, I was working on the set of Out of the Furnace recently and talking with director Scott Cooper who said, “I hear you’re on the air on the radio?””Yes’, I said, “but ..”He cut me off. “That’s cool, “he said.Aw what the hec, eh? Media is media, right!

The death of Robin Williams has shown a visible light on what the world calls Hollywood.  On KDKA AM the other day I discussed how the movie capital of the world has done such a great job with its “Set” that few see behind the scenes. That’s success in in this town But with Robin Williams death and his battle with depression and now as revealed Parkinson’s we see that Hollywoodland is a town, totally created by people who know how to make lasting and emotional images. Yet when they go home, they are people. Parents and family members and folks like anyone else who deal with medical, money and any other myriad of problems. Robert Wagner told me recently that Hollywood has changed and maybe not for the best but I disagree. In the old days press agents could hide all the nasty truths. Today, no more. its all out there. But it gives the world a chance to understand that those who make the images in this town are all too  human and fallible. And that makes some of our entertainment greats even larger than life in my eyes.

In the morning we shoot a scene with Russell Crowe, Jane Fonda and Kasey Daley. Looking forward to it of course for the role and the chance to work with two wonderful  stars on a great script withy a story well told. I was just in LA and happy to talk about all the production that’s shooting in Pittsburgh. Still there is no town like Los Angeles when it comes to film. It is a company town with wonderful people. There is no reason we actors can’t continually move around the country for jobs as the original traveling bands of actors during and before Shakespeare.

Happy to say after a long audition process that I’ve joined the cast of Fathers and Daughters. It is currently filming in Pittsburgh starring Russell Crowe and Aaron Paul. All cast members especially Aaron are making quite an impact with fans as they are making themselves very open to pictures and friendly hellos.

Nice to be working with a wonderful cast, director and crew

Something needs to be said about actors unions, and by that I don’t mean Hollywood marriages. SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity incorporate the three actors unions that matter and make a difference. SAG and AFTRA, that’s the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists recently merged into one bigger and stronger union SAG-AFTRA which covers all Film, TV, Commercial, Industrial, Voiceover and Broadcast work. Actors Equity covers all stage and theatre work. Being a member has many advantages for the simple reason that most large and successful productions whether on stage or screen use union actors. Most of the major studios, networks and companies have agreements with SAG-AFTRA and or Equity which ensures that they will always get professional artists for their productions. Agents understand the minimums set by these unions as do the studios and production houses and as an actor you can always be sure of your rate simply by making yourself aware of the minimum scale. Your agent can always take you higher but your union will always give you a sound foundation to start.

Well, we’re making positive changes day by day. We’ve made the sight a little easier to navigate with some new labels available for you to click at the top of the page. We’ve added some color (whoop-de-do)and soon we’ll be posting the new headshot, videos and voiceover tapes. Thanks for checking in.

The new website is on the way so please check in daily as things will be changing at that pace as well. Check out ABOUT US which is an up to date resume. Go to LOCATION to get in contact. You can also reply to these POSTS with comments  If you see something you like or things that you’d like done differently don’t hesitate to suggest something. Thanks for being here.