Samantha Dunn may only be 6 years old, but she has already gotten the opportunity to appear on television shows like Ugly Betty and in films like Salt.
Samantha’s mother Sandra Almeida said that her daughter expressed interest in acting fairly young. She signed her up for ballet class and an acting course called Stage Coach, but Samantha didn’t receive any callbacks until last December.
Since then, Samantha has starred in commercials, television shows, and stage productions.
She has appeared on Law & Order SVU, Life on Mars, Cupid, Nurse Jackie, Gossip Girl, Z Rock, Boardwalk Empire, and most recently All My Children.
“[I like acting] because it’s cool,” said Samantha, who explained that acting lets her go to different places and meet new people.
Her daughter’s recent popularity caused Almeida to enroll her into the Screen Actors Guild, the actors’ union.
Twenty percent of everything Samantha earns is put into a bank account that only she can touch when she turns 18. The rest of the funds go back into acting classes and other associated fees.
Part of the reason Samantha enjoys acting is because normally, still gets to act like a kid, she said.
“It’s a struggle now.” – Sandra Almeida
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Being a kid
Samantha attends school in Fort Lee, but does most of her acting classes and filming in New York City. She is also in North Bergen’s recreational Packers Cheerleading team. Sometimes it’s hard to find a balance in the hectic schedule.
Samantha said that she likes being able to go to school and act, even though it stresses her out “a little.”
Ameida is a single mother and works as a wig dyer so that she can have the time to both work and take Samantha to sets. It’s difficult to keep up with the financial impact of acting, but she hopes that as a SAG actor, Samantha will get fewer, but better roles.
On location
While shooting Ugly Betty, Samantha said that she had to run around Coney Island with another actress who played her sister, while following America Ferrera, who plays Betty. Samantha found acting alongside Ferrara fun.
In Salt, she was filmed in a flashback ’60s wedding scene, so she didn’t meet any of the main stars. Almeida said that often actors “hibernate” and don’t spend much time with children on set even if they do act in the same scenes.
“I like Chris Jericho,” said Samantha about filming Z Rock. “He was nice.”
Ready for more
Samantha often has been cast as an extra, but now that she is getting older, she feels ready for a leading role. She will co-star in an upcoming NYU film soon.
Samantha said she’s a good reader.
“It’s a struggle now,” said Almeida. “I know she’s at the point where [she is thinking], ‘Now I want a real speaking role.’ ”