Meet Gene Franklin Smith from New York, who moved to LA in 1990 to pursue a career as a writer.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
The weather, naturally! I was raised in Boston, attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut, then lived in Manhattan for 11 years, and when I visited friends in LA who had relocated from New York, I finally said enough is enough with the heat and humidity and freezing cold! I’m guessing that most Brits in LA members concur!
What do you miss most from home?
Autumn. There’s a reason why Barry Manilow wrote that corny but accurate song “Weekend in New England.” When I lived in Manhattan, I used to walk through Central Park en route to work, and there’s something so revitalizing about the brisk air and riot of autumnal color in the trees.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
I thought it was a bit of a cultural wasteland in 1990. Theater hadn’t been quite yet revived, and there were only about a dozen decent restaurants. But by 1997, theater had rebounded, and so many New Yorkers moved here that there were suddenly fabulous new places to dine and dance. L.A.’s an incredibly vital city, and I don’t think even Woody Allen would complain about it now (well, maybe).
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus New York?
There’s a lot more opportunities in L.A. As long as you have the drive, energy and passion, you can live your dreams here. It sounds so cheesy, but it’s true. I’ve been able to have careers as a chef, playwright, director, producer, actor and now professional magician. None of it would have happened had I stayed in New York.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
It’s actually not in L.A. but it’s not a far drive: Emerald Cove Beach – it’s between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, and it really is one of the most beautiful stretches of beaches we have.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Don’t let it scare you. I probably waited about five years before I decided to make the big change, and although I don’t want to think about what might’ve been, I still wish I had had the courage to move to L.A. sooner.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Ageism used to be pretty rampant in L.A., especially in the entertainment industry, but I feel there’s a lot less of it now. There will always be the pretty young things arriving in droves here, but there’s much more appreciation for experience and professionalism that only we older folks have. I literally changed my life when I was 58 by auditioning at the Magic Castle and being accepted in as a magician member. For the past four years, I’ve performed at many corporate events, private parties, in Las Vegas, and I’m a regular magician in the Magic Castle’s showrooms, which I hope to keep doing till my next career move, say, in 15 or so years!
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
My performance persona is Felix Jones, Mentalist, and you can watch videos of my performances on YouTube or on my website: felixjonesmentalist.com. You can follow me on Instagram@ felixjonesmentalist
I will be performing at the Magic Castle the week of December 10-16 in the Peller Theater in “Egregiously Mismatched”, a scripted magic and mindreading show I co-created with magic partner, HUBB. We also perform the show at private parties and holiday events.
Photo by: richardmorganphotography.com
