Actor going for the big time
Bing Putney was officially bitten by the acting bug at 7 as a Munchkin in a production of "Wizard of Oz."
"I didn't know too much then, just that I liked acting," Putney said.
Sixteen years, several roles and one "Best Supporting Actor" accolade later, Putney has decided to pack up and move to New York in hopes of expanding his acting career.
Putney's first professional role as a young Charlie Chaplin in "The Final Toast" won him the Best Supporting Actor "Angie" award at the International Mystery Writers Festival, which ended July 22 in Owensboro, Ky.
The award is named for actress Angela Lansbury.
"The Final Toast" was Putney's first major role as a member of the actors' labor union Actors' Equity Association.
Putney has also been featured in several television commercials and locally in the Livestock Players' "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," where he was cast as Erronius.
Putney played Will Parker in "Oklahoma" while at Page High School and also played several roles in Weaver Academy productions, where he took courses during his high school career.
Putney studied acting at Emerson College in Boston and graduated magna cum laude in 2007.
"A few of my friends from Emerson and I decided to make the move to New York to actually try to make a career for ourselves in theater. It's exciting and scary, because it's up to me to get out here and make it happen. It's not like an apprenticeship where you have that guidance," he said.
But Putney does have a solid support system in his family, which is proud of Putney's accomplishments.
"I play the role of a proud parent," said Putney's mother, Phoenix.
"Bing has worked so hard and he continues to make me proud," she said.
Contact Adria Hairston at 883-4422, Ext. 244, or adria.hairston@news-record.com