Photo by Dianna Bush
True enough, there is no definite guide that maneuvers people towards the summits of success. However, if there is anything that ties powerhouses together, it is the passion that they have poured into their craft, enabling them to cement themselves even more solidly in their chosen trades. As proven by Douglas Taurel, nothing is more powerful than one’s focused and dedicated spirit in translating their vision of success into reality.
While it is easy to assume that becoming passionate in one’s pursuit entails a zealous journey towards generating money or gaining fame, Douglas has some other things in mind. By staying committed to his craft, this multifaceted actor aims to become a voice that shares the story of the voiceless with the world. He strives to accomplish this through his acting, writing, and filmmaking career.
Douglas has been making waves in the industry by staying committed to his passion-driven goal. This accomplished actor has been honoring veterans across the country with his one-man show, The American Soldier. The play is a series of monologues based on actual letters written by veterans and their families from the time of the American revolution to the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He first performed the play in 2015 in lower Manhattan on a rainy Sunday night, what he thought would be his first and only performance. “There were eight people in the house, and I never in a million years thought the play would have the life it has had,” Douglas said.
Douglas Taurel has performed The American Soldier in over 34 cities, including the Kennedy Center in 2016 and 2019, The Library of Congress, and Off-Broadway. By year’s end, the play will tour six more cities. He earned a nomination for an Amnesty International award when he performed in Scotland. Since performing the play on that rainy night in 2015, Douglas continues to be asked to share The American Soldier and deliver his heartwarming appreciation towards our veterans and their families. Through this initiative, he aims to creatively spread awareness of what veterans and their families endure and sacrifice for the rest of the nation. “It’s our responsibility to know what they give up for the rest of us,” he said.
Recently, Douglas prepared and portrayed an incredibly important role in an unfortunate event – The Gabby Petito Story. The Lifetime Movie tackles the short life and tragic murder of Gabby Petito, including her story with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie. Douglas Taurel will portray Joe Petito, Gabby’s father. The movie, directed by Thora Burch, premiers on October 1, 2022, on the Lifetime Movie Network.
As the media extensively covered the story, Douglas Taurel felt a deep sense of responsibility in preparing for his role as Gabby’s father. As a father himself, the actor cannot imagine the pain of losing a child and his heart goes out to the entire Petito family. “Many in the media saw a stoic man, but when I watched Joe in the many press conferences he held, asking for help in finding his daughter, I saw a man falling apart on the inside, probably, in private. But he needed to present strength for himself, his daughter Gabby and his family. He was their shield,” Douglas said. “This role was challenging yet rewarding because he played an important part in helping the Lifetime network in their campaign to stop violence against women,” he added.
While Lifetime premiers the movie, Douglas continues to perform his play throughout the country, which speaks volumes of his passion for the craft. This fall, Douglas will perform in Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio. In addition, The American Soldier will step in for Stephen Lang’s Beyond Glory. “Stephen Lang’s play was a huge inspiration for me as an actor and one of the most memorable pieces I had seen in the theaters. It will be an absolute honor to follow him with my play,” explained Douglas.
Passion is definitely effective in fueling people towards the summits of success. As Douglas Taurel continues to capitalize on this powerful trait, this passionate actor will continue to be a source of motivation and inspiration for many people across the world.
