Struggling Actor On A Role

Role On 'Guiding Light' And Acting Classes At Prestigious Studio

(CBS) 

When Izzo isn't heading into New York to work as an extra, the former town alderman is making headlines at home by starring in many of the independent films he's helped bring to his community, playing everything from a priest to a gangster.

Until his proverbial big break comes along, Izzo is content with the small part he plays each week for the children visiting the historic home.

"This job is great," he says. "I wish I could do it full time. It's a perfect match, but it's tough to make a living at it."

Like many actors, Izzo sees himself directing one day. He even brought a camcorder along to document his trip to New York.

"I actually borrowed that from our local library," he tells The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm. "I've been helping kids shoot some local films there. They let me borrow the camera to take it down. I was taking some videos of the day's events."

His plan is to share the experience with friends and family, as his sister Jenni does. Well, he won't need to send her a copy of the tape Jenni is the reason he was invited to the show.

"What are you doing here" a surprised Izzo asks his sister. He had no idea that she, one of his biggest fans, wrote to the Week of Wishes.

The following is a portion of her letter: "My brother Mark has been trying to get into acting for several years now with working as an extra in many TV shows and movies.

Unfortunately, he still has not been able to get that big break. While trying to pursue his passion he has worked several part-time jobs so that he has the flexibility to go into New York at a moments notice.

My wish for Mark would be for him to have the opportunity to land a speaking role on a TV show in hopes that people will see the talent he really has.

He is just an awesome person that really deserves to have a break in life."

Since Izzo once took a soap opera acting class, Emmy award-winning actress Crystal Chappell from "Guiding Light" had something for Izzo.

Chappell says, "I've been hearing from your sister how lovely you are and how you give of yourself to other people. And she obviously loves you. I love you now, too. What we want to give you today is a speaking role on 'Guiding Light' if you'd do the honor of coming over and playing with us."

"The honor? Of course!" Izzo exclaimed as his eyes got bigger and bigger. Of course, he may want to brush up on his skills a bit before taking on his first professional speaking-role.

So the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City offered him a choice of summer workshops. He'll be following in the footsteps of Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, and Benicio Del Toro by attending this prestigious acting studio.

"I don't know what to say," Izzo says.