By Dr. AL Carlos Hernandez
Talent Manager Dolores Cantu is the real-life embodiment of the “CAN-DO SPIRIT”! Her Candu Management company brings that spirit to life each day, injecting the entertainment industry at large with fresh, top-quality talent.
In LA recently I was enamored with her infectious smile and laugh, and a great sense of humor. Cantu is a confidant, vivacious media pioneer and visionary.
At the age of 20, Cantu became a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, the bubbliest flight attendant in the skies. She was chosen as the ambassador and traveled doing interviews and personal appearances. Her next stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Miss USA-Miss Universe Pageant. At the pageant, she received the coveted Miss Hospitality Award to represent the airline. During the pageant, Dolores was spotted by the judges and was encouraged to pursue a career in acting. With that, Dolores’ bags were packed, and she was on her way to New York City to start her acting and modeling career.
Her acting career soon took flight, first came commercials for Sunny Delight, Dolly Parton/Revlon, GMC Cars, and McDonalds’ first Hispanic market commercial in the Spanish and English language market. She was cast in numerous television shows including Dallas, Diff’rent Strokes, and Fantasy Island. Her film roles included Annie Hall, Force 5 among others. She became the only Latina actress to ever beat up John Travolta on film in Saturday Night Fever.
But Cantu’ career and passion for acting would take her in a different direction.
“In 2001, a beautiful young actress from my acting class, who was regularly seeking my advice, asked me to manage her,” she recounts. “I was reluctant at first, but I thought back on all the experience and insight I had to offer, to the kindnesses that had been shown to me and to my innate desire to help others, and I said, ‘yes.’” Candu Management was born.
Cantu has had great success in the managing field, discovering new talents, nurturing them, advising them, and inspiring them to achieve their dreams. “It is thrilling to have placed a formidable faction of Hollywood’s fresh faces in television roles on every major network, and film roles in major theatrical releases.”
Expanding on her management style Cantu says, “I only work with clients I believe in. I cultivate talent, but I can’t learn, grow, and perform for them, they must have the drive and potential in them.” Further adding, “I will help them tap into it, unlock it, and then guide them along the way so each step they take gets them closer to their goal.”
What Cantu looks for in young talent is the willingness to start somewhere, anywhere, and sometimes that means spending thirteen hours on a set providing atmosphere, utilizing that time to learn, and get to know the crew and fellow actors. However, “Training is essential,” she added.
In her fifty years in the business, Cantu has seen change for Latino actors and believes there are more opportunities than ever today. As producers are now looking to address diversity, she sees many more roles and opportunities and she believes that as the entertainment industry is evolving it is important to adapt to the changes.
“Technology has changed the business, new opportunities are now created through self-tapes that talent can do from anywhere in the world,” she pointed out.
Most casting directors will email “sides” (select scenes of the script) to actors who then tape themselves performing the scene and then submit it back to the casting directors for consideration. This method was popularized because of Covid, but it seems it is here to stay.
Although there are still in-person castings being done, for productions all over the world, it has become more efficient and cost-effective for producers to cast this way. This casting process is used for television, film and even commercials. As Cantu described it, actors have now been forced to become their own producers, learning how to light and direct themselves to create the strongest audition video possible.
“I also advocate for my clients to create their own content,” Cantu stated. “Why wait for the perfect role when you can create it for yourself!” she explains. “Producing a web-series or short film is a great way to make your own content and can get you seen. I’ve known actors who have even won film festivals and Emmy Awards by going this route.”
To her point, Cantu relays a story that happened just a few years ago. She traveled to the Monaco Film Festival with her client Jearnest Corchado. She had been nominated for a Best Actress award for her role in a faith-based film Crave the Fast Life, both she and the film won. It was life-changing for this young Latina actress to be nominated for her first movie. Cantu decided that since they were there, they should go to the legendary Cannes Film Festival to network with filmmakers from around the world.
“People thought I was crazy, ‘you don’t have the clout to get in!’” Cantu recalled hearing. “But I had the courage and armed with my IMDB profile, business cards, gumption, and Jearnest’s Best Actress win, we were welcomed with open arms. Never, let anyone tell you it’s impossible.”
As a talent, and at 73 years young, Miss Dolores Cantu just booked a commercial for Southern California Edison to air soon.
“I suppose my “bucket list” today is filled with other people’s dreams and what I see possible for them,” she reflects. “I see myself traveling with my clients and partnering with them on projects we want to create together. I see myself walking the red carpet as they are recognized for an Emmy or an Oscar for their work. I know they are capable, and I am working with every ounce of my being to make those dreams manifest.”
Her “Candu” legacy lives on.