Up and coming Brooklynite about to take on an “Unforgettable” role

An “Unforgettable” up-and-coming Brooklyn actor is making his mark with his biggest gig yet on the hit A&E television show (formerly on CBS), now in its fourth season.

Joe Tuttle, who graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in acting, made his move to Brooklyn 12 years ago and pursued a dream he’s had since he was a child.

“In the sixth grade, I did a school production of ‘Annie. I got cast as Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks,” said Tuttle, who was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “I thought it was really cool and I was proud of myself. But I didn’t think of it as a career.”

In high school, Tuttle had an influential teacher that encouraged him to act despite some insecurity. “My teacher was incredible,” he recalled. “He asked if I thought about doing this as career. I told him that I didn’t think I was good enough. He looked at me straight in eye and said, ‘That’s why you get into school and learn.’ I applied to Northwestern because of that.”

The first big gig for Tuttle came six months out of school on a professional stage in “Curious George” when Tuttle played the lead role. “It was great to play an iconic animated monkey as my first professional gig,” he said of the show that toured across the country.

He honed his craft by learning from acting coach, Bob Krakower, who worked with Rooney Mara. “He gave me rhe skill set to get those jobs,” he said.

Tuttle then  filmed a bunch of commercials. However, his next role was the one he considers his best, a role on A&E’s “Unforgettable.” The show is about a former New York detective that has the ability to visually remember everything, which helps her,” he said, adding, “This has been my biggest booking.

“To take on a guest star appearance with big-time actors has been the biggest highlight of my career so far,” he said. “It was awesome. I had a fantastic time on the set. I was the new guy and never had been on this set before, yet everyone was so welcoming and inviting.”

Tuttle also had a great time with the show’s lead. “Poppy Montgomery was sweet,” he said. “You never know how things like this are going to go. But I had a lot of fun. I also didn’t realize how funny everybody on show is. We had lots of laughs.”

As for his role, Tuttle was tight-lipped but did give some insight as to what audiences can expect. “I can’t give too much information but I will say I work for the sheriff’s department in a small town and I’m not too good at my job.”

Although “Unforgettable” is his latest break, Tuttle has had other exciting moments, landing gigs on hit shows “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Blacklist.”

“What I found amazing (with “Boardwalk”) was that the production values are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It was equivalent to being in a big budget movie studio,” he said. “And working with David Strahan on ‘Blacklist’ was incredible. He has worked with Meryl Streep and George Clooney. To observe him and how he works, that was something.”

Currently living in Park Slope with his wife, who is a teacher, Tuttle is enjoying the borough. “I always loved Brooklyn the most out of the  boroughs,” he said. “To me, it’s felt more like a small town and neighborhood. It’s not as busy as parts of Manhattan. This is the place I’ve lived the longest.”

Despite the typical hardships any aspiring actor has to overcome, Tuttle remains committed and passionate about the craft.

“I don’t know if it ever stops being tough. You ask how you start to get it going, especially early on,” he said. “You take whatever you get and keep working on your craft and meeting people. Honestly, staying positive can be a job in itself because there can be lots of rejection. But I love it and it’s been going great.”

“Unforgettable” makes its season premiere and debut on A&E on Friday, November 27. For more information, visit www.aetv.com.

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