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"Each Day Do One Kind Thing for Another Human Being" - Interview with Karen-Eileen Gordon
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By Bessy ADUT
Karen-Eileen Gordon is an accomplished film, television, voiceover, and stage actor. Best known for her role in the HBO comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm opposite Larry David, she also gained notice for her two seasons on the Starz Original Drama, Magic City. She was voted Best Actress by the Beyond the Curve International Film Festival in Paris for her role as the sorceress, Margo, in Lost in Avalon, and her leading role in the independent comedy feature A Free Bird won her rave reviews. A playwright with a passion for solo work, her one-woman piece, 7 From the Light, was chosen as an Official Selection by United Solo New York, one of the largest one-person theatre festivals in the world. A well-established audiobook narrator in both the US and UK, Karen-Eileen is also a busy animation voiceover artist, working not only in English, but also in French and Spanish.
Where are you located?
I am on both the East and the West Coasts... Los Angeles will always feel like a hug.
What are your current projects?
I’m fortunate to have this very high-class problem: a “Do Not Discuss” cone of silence, that often exists until post-streaming/post-release, so some of the juiciness will wait for our next chat, lol! There is a heavily-improvisation-infused comedy that’s doing well on the festival circuit, with producers in talks to turn it into a series. I’m also attached to two horror films (my first two, ever!), now in pre-production. I keep angling for the writers to put my character on the city hall tower, with the gremlin's head in my victorious fist!
Please share how you got started and got to where you are today...
High school debate got me started… There's an event called “humorous interpretation,” everybody who’s involved in this world will know exactly what I’m talking about! You memorize a 10-minute section of a published work, stand in front of a group of audience members-plus-judges, and perform the piece—changing your voice and physicality to become every single character in the scenes. I think the highest character count I ever had was 18. I competed locally and all the way to Nationals—it was glorious.
I really do believe everything is part of the journey…what got me to where I am today is...all of it. The successes, the heartbreaks, the big breaks, the rejections, the supporters, the critics…list goes on and on. It took me a while to learn as an artist that tending to the garden of my mind was one of the most, most important things I would ever do on this journey…strengthening the muscle of forgiving and letting go, and focusing on the gratitude.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have often wished I had a superpower for smoothing out the wild ups-and-downs in this wacky/wonderful business—I would use it! My own experience, and the experience of my friends and peers, is that if anybody ever tells you that their road has been smooth…there are things they are definitely choosing to leave out! The road can be bumpy and amazing.
Tell us more about your life and career...
I love being on the planet and in a body. Yoga, spiritual work, meditation, energy work…those have been daily practice for many years. I also adore cats… I have one at the moment—he looks like a mini tiger. He was a community feral rescue; it took him almost a full year to calm down and realize he was safe/loved. I have such a crush on this creature! Along with creativity, Wellness is a passion. I love people/places/things that make our lives healthier, calmer, safer, more abundant, and more fun.
What do you think goodness is?
What an amazing question. There are so many definitions of goodness…one of them? The ability to look upon oneself or another person with deep compassion.
Who are you outside of your professional life?
I’ve been described as a “sparkly unicorn who runs a think tank.” Meaning…I love both the invisible and visible worlds, and know there is magic in both. Outside of my professional life, I love to be in environments that are highly connected to that invisible world…things we can’t see, and are very powerful…(ranging from the feeling of love…to connection to the Divine…to a gorgeous breeze blowing across a garden).
Are you interested in environmental issues?
Yes. I am especially interested in the intersection of environmental thriving, and human wellness. I have a huge love for organic food and organic farming… I spend a lot of time researching everything in my world before it comes into my nest, or before I recommend it to loved ones… From toiletries to cookware to furniture to clothing to makeup to bedding… There are so many companies exploring ways to produce the things that we use to live our lives in a way that is BOTH gentler to the planet and gentler to our bodies…and of course, all of that has a huge impact on the environment. The environment is not a separate entity…we are part of the environment. So anything that nourishes us, needs to include nourishing our environment. It’s a huge goal, and I know there are so many working towards it. In addition, always, I love storytelling that puts a highlight on the environment…what it means to be a guardian of this planet, and what it means to take good care of our globe. Everything from documentaries on healing to epic "save the world" sci-fi films... Storytelling can beam such a bright spotlight.
Do you think the world is not a good place right now?
I think there is a mini-tsunami right now of very challenging thoughts and beliefs and energies, all swirling around, colliding, and creating extremes…and those of us who are intent on spreading Light (and having our actions aligned with Light) are going to be very busy. One of my most impactful teachers used to say that contrast was our best friend and best teacher, because seeing very strongly what we do not want—that gives birth in us to a mighty desire for what we do want. I think we're stepping into an era of very clear contrast.
How do you make the world a better place?
This is also a great question. There are so many ways—and my way is by being immersed, by choice, in a lifelong process of regularly “clearing” mind and emotions…seeing if there is a place where I need to release something, or forgive something (or myself). Seeing if there is something to be grateful for, that I was not aware of. Because the more I can let go of things I may not even initially know I'm holding onto, the more room I have in my heart and mind and spirit for love-light-compassion. I want to be as filled up with all of that as possible, when I step out into the world, or step into interaction with another human.
How can we all make the world better?
One kind thing. I think if we all did one kind thing each day for another human being, that would be an extraordinary start.
How can science and spirituality coexist?
I think they already do... The thing that I first thought of in response to this question here was the experiment called "The Hidden Messages from Water"… Mr. Masuru Emoto took samples of water and placed them in bottles separately, and then wrote words on those bottles and let them sit. He took samples of that water and put it under a microscope and he took pictures. The word love or joy or happiness written on that bottle would change that molecule into something gorgeous under the microscope. The word hate or racism would change that gorgeous molecule into something jagged and spiked-looking. You can find his images on the web and they’re so thought-provoking…The human body is 60% water, so in theory what we say to ourselves in our heads and what we speak out loud has a direct impact on everything in our bodies…blood, lymph, fluids…and that nourishes everything else in our system. To me, that feels like a link between spirituality and science. More and more, very respected traditional medical doctors are incorporating prayer into the healing plan for their patients because they’ve seen profound results when it’s employed…that’s another great example. There’s so much room for growth… just asking the question as you did and having the conversation with people moves all of that forward.
If you could go anywhere, where would you go (and why)?
I’ve been very fortunate to travel a lot in my life. So hilariously… If I could go anywhere it would be two places: First Disney in either Japan or Paris; the other would be the sets where they filmed the Harry Potter movies. And the why? I’m all about going to places that feel like they have magic...storytelling magic, creative magic, the magic of wonder.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I am aiming to grow my authentic creative community on TikTok for as long as it's around, LOL! The link is below. Readers are welcome to join me there. ♥️
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