NOT ALL Brits in LA Members are British. A case in point is this week’s subject Kimberley Kates, who moved to Los Angeles from Montana in the late 1980s to pursue modelling opportunities….and ended up with a role in one of the most popular movies of all time!
Was there a particular reason you chose Los Angeles?
I had relatives here, I would visit from time to time, and it always seemed so vibrant. I was an athlete and gymnast and when I got a sports agent in L.A. who said he could get me commercials and print work I happily moved here. But the first thing he got me was an acting opportunity in the film Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. I passed the audition to play one of the princesses and next thing I knew I was on set with Keanu Reeves and the rest of the cast. That was a magical experience and knowing I’d made a mark on the big screen gave me the confidence to do more acting and get better. I got many more roles after that and then transitioned to producing and now run a production and distribution company here in LA, Big Screen Entertainment Group.
What do you miss most from home?
The greenery, the beauty, the clean air, and the tranquility. Montana is like a little piece of heaven and sometimes I worry that if I went back, I would stay because it’s so gorgeous. But I know I’d miss the business and excitement of L.A.
What was your first impression of LA, has it changed since and if so, why?
I was very overwhelmed, particularly by San Vicente Boulevard. I didn’t understand how it ran. That road is like a maze and each time I took it I would end up in the weirdest places. Conquering San Vicente took nine years, and it doesn’t scare me anymore. As Bill and Ted say, “Most triumphant!”
What do you find is the biggest difference between living here and where you grew up?
I like that you can be anonymous here, you can’t where I came from. In a small town, everyone knew everyone’s business and I couldn’t wear something strange, even a new scarf, without being looked at funny. In LA there is a lot less judgement, more freedom and anything goes. There’s a special energy here, L.A. is a really creative place and I love meeting like-minded people here who are as weird, or even weirder than me.
Do you have a hidden gem that you want to share with our readers?
Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga is the most magical place. Walking into that restaurant is like entering a fairytale. The look, the service and the food are all brilliant. It’s such a romantic place and I’ve seen many marriage proposals there. It has a great vibe and history, such a unique setting.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking of making the move to LA?
Have a clear purpose for why you are coming here. So many kinds of work can be done online now that you need to make sure to use Los Angeles for what it’s here for – such as meeting the right people. Talking of people, make five good friends and they will help you out. It can get expensive here so have enough money for at least six months’ rent as you don’t want the extra anxiety of not having savings when arriving in L.A.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Just keep going. Don’t get discouraged. Keep playing the game. My acting teacher Milton Katselas told me that and such good advice still gets me out of bed when I’m having a bad day. Martin Scorsese told me the same thing when he said that persistence is 90 percent of success in this business.
How can we find out more about you and are you working on anything special at the moment?
You can follow me on Instagram @kimberleykates8 (don’t follow the other 7!). And yes, I’ve used all my experience of the entertainment industry to start creating shows for my company. Original shows for us to screen on our streaming channel, Big Stream, and others to sell to networks and other streamers. The others include an environment saving series called Earth Angels, a female pilots drama called Avenger Field, which will also be a book, and I’ve optioned a bestselling book series called Dead End Dating about a vampire who starts a dating agency and I’m developing that with some fabulous TV people.
