LUCKY STARS

Published 24 Jan 2012 09:30

Young actor Declan meets a host of celebs stateside

A PROMISING Kilmacolm actor is making an impression under the bright lights of Hollywood - and meeting a cast of big name stars.

Declan Laird gave up a promising career as a footballer with Morton last year to pursue an ambition to act.

The 18-year-old jetted off to the States in the summer to take up a scholarship at the world-renowned Stella Adler acting school.

And the acting starlet is already making an impression since swapping home in Kilmacolm for the pursuit of stardom in the States.

He has been rubbing shoulders with the likes of Justin Timberlake and Entourage stars Kevin Connoly and Jerry Ferraro, as well as Port Glasgow actor Ross McCall, who starred in Band of Brothers.

The talented young actor said: "I have settled in well, got nice accommodation and everyone at the school seems very happy with me.

"I met Ross McCall recently when I was looking to watch the Celtic and Rangers game.

"We got chatting by chance and he got me along somewhere to see the match.

"I met the actor Kevin Connoly from the show Entourage as well, and he took my details which is great."

But Declan says the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles is not always what it seems.

He told the Gazette: "I'm training four days a week and some days I am in at 8.30am and don't leave until 10.30pm at night - I feel like passing out by the time I get home, but it is worth it.

"In my spare time, I'm volunteering or helping out at various events through the school.

"But in the past four months I've improved a lot because the course is so demanding.

"If you don't turn up prepared you are told to leave instantly but thankfully that hasn't happened to me."

Declan said he was stunned when he recently represented the school at an awards ceremony - and ended up sitting next to A-list singer and actor Justin Timberlake.

He said: "We got there really early and I got to my table and the place name said D Laird and it was next to J Timberlake but I thought 'surely not'.

"No one turned up for ages and these seats next to me were lying empty so I thought 'he has obviously not bothered turning up' but then he walked in and sat down right next to me.

"I have also been up at TV presenter Ross King's house a number of times, so I've made a few good contacts."

Declan and his family would like to thank local actor Jim Sweeney for all his help.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 18 Jan 12

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