From finance to footlights, Alex Farlow has had an unconventional journey to becoming an actor -- but not a surprising one.
Growing up along the mighty Mississippi River, his parents gave him a love for the performing arts. In fact, his father, a pilot, played the Cowardly Lion in a production of "The Wizard of Oz," and Alex co-starred as a member of the Lollipop Guild (his first role).
Not content to be a starving artist, acting endeavors were placed on hold as Alex focused on something most artists don't: a degree in economics.
Almost two decades later, he found himself working for a successful hedge fund by day and performing improv on elite house teams at the PIT, Magnet, and UCB in New York by night. The performing gave him more joy than his day-to-day work duties, and somewhere inside, that little, uncredited Lollipop Guild member said, "Alex, quit your damn job! You know you want to be an actor. Do it!" Not one to argue with imaginary voices, he did just that.
Now, you can find him performing in plays, musicals, comedy shows, and films around the country and internationally.
Photo by Keith Huang.