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South Side Actor Has Big Dreams, For Himself And Others

By Justin Breen | November 13, 2015 5:39am
 Vonzell Scott is a South Side native and actor.
Vonzell Scott
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CHICAGO — Vonzell Scott said he sees dreams taken away every day living on the South Side.

The 25-year-old Roseland resident wants to inspire others as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional actor. The Brother Rice graduate this year appeared in a minor speaking role on "Chicago Fire" and is a lead actor in an upcoming play called "The Road Ahead" that will show at Illinois State University and Chicago State University. He plays the role of Emmanuel, a famous television actor on his way to becoming a movie star — essentially Scott's goal in real life.

"I want to show people there are other ways to live than just being part of the violence in Chicago," Scott said. "You just have to work hard for it."

Whenever Scott auditions or performs, he channels the spirit of his late mother, Debbie Taylor, who died on May 27, 2007, from lung cancer. Scott, an only child, was 16 at the time and a Brother Rice junior. Wednesday would have been Taylor's 51st birthday.

"News of his mother was devastating and took the wind out of his sails, but somehow he pushed on," said Scott's aunt, Patricia Edwards, a radio station entertainment director who legally adopted Scott following his mother's death.

Scott said his energy and drive comes from his mom, a captain of the majorette team at Percy Julian High School who became an EMT and 911 operator.

"She was really enthusiastic and joyful, and I try to manifest that into my acting," Scott said.

After graduating from Brother Rice, Scott went to Northern Illinois for two years but dropped out to pursue acting. He's worked an assortment of jobs since, including a parking valet at a casino and his current role as a FedEx driver.

One of his agents, Patti Gill of North Lawndale-based Gill Hayes Talent Agency, said Scott is "always honing his craft."

"What separates Vonzell is that he doesn't take his opportunities for granted, he is always preparing ... and he has great energy, too," Gill said.

Scott said he's grown thick skin after receiving more rejections than parts during auditions. He hopes his path takes him to stardom, but, more importantly, provides a gameplan for South Side youngsters seeking their own dreams.

"if this is something you want to do, give it your all, don’t let somebody take that away from you," he said.

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