Here's a great story that's related in Bonnie Gillespie's great book called Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business. I'm paraphrasing the story but hopefully you'll still get the idea.

Actor Michael Chiklis was known for playing slightly-gruff but loveable guys in the series The Commish and the very short-lived sitcom Daddio. After the latter, work prospects dried up for this overweight and nearly bald actor.

As time went on, Michael became depressed about his prospects because the industry had become convinced that he could only play "that type." He kept trying and trying to break out of this stereotype unsuccessfully. He finally sat down with his wife and talked with her about his options and about no longer accepting the goofball kinds of roles.

Michael's wife fully supported him and said that she would be with him, for better or for worse, while he reinvented himself. Shortly thereafter, they put a plan into motion which included a weight-loss program, working out every day, reading different kinds of scripts and shaving his head.

Then, in a chance meeting while picking up their child from a Gymboree, Michael and his wife met the creator of FX's edgy show The Shield. The rest is history.

Michael credits his deep frustration and depression with giving him enough determination to dig down and make a big change. Had he not had the courage to do that, it's doubtful he would have been accepting an Emmy a year later for his role as "Detective Vic Mackey" on The Shield.

Cool! Glad you liked the story. (A great one, isn't it?) And thanks for the link! A Google alert I have set up sent me over here.

Keep up the good work!