Robert Livingston (R.L.) recalled living in his car in Los Angeles about 10 years ago, after the show he was performing had shut down. He went from traveling the world as a lead actor in five-star hotels, to struggling to survive in Hollywood.

Today, stronger than ever, R.L. still lives in Los Angeles and work’s as a server at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Malibu. He has worked as a lead actor in the feature film “Amado” and has landed roles on tv shows like “Shameless” and “Fuller House” on Netflix. One of his biggest challenges is when his guests contemplate the fact that he is an actor.

“Being an actor and a waiter has its struggles. One of which is when my guests don’t take my acting career seriously, simply because I’m serving them. I hate the question and assumption I often receive from my guests, ‘Oh, are you out here because you’re trying to be an actor.’ My answer is no. I’m not ‘trying’ to be an actor, I am an actor,” said R.L.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Childhood and the path up until sleeping in his car

R.L. was born in Columbus, Ohio and was raised in a suburb called Orient. He is the middle child and has two siblings: an older sister Elizabeth and a younger brother Thomas. He remembers his childhood with a big smile in his face and clearly expresses his deep admiration and love for his bond with both his brother and sister. He claims his parents worked hard to raise their three children and R.L. went to a private Catholic school where his ethical pedagogy came to place, along with learning the importance of prayer.

He was about 6 years old when he first realized he wanted to be an actor. He was watching the Disney Channel and was hoping to be one of the kids in the shows. As a youngster he constantly performed in front of his friends and family. His parents gifted him a video-camera when he was 10 years old and he created with his friends their own “Saturday Night Live” show. 

During four years of high school, R.L. was voted student council class president and executive board student council president for his senior year. He was competing as a dancer nationally for Irish Step Dancing and qualified for the World Championship title three times.

He decided to move to L.A. a few years later, after he was offered the lead role in a show called “Battle of the Dance” in Anaheim. He said he felt fortunate to have such opportunity so he took it and began his performing career far away from home.

The show shut down after eight months and R.L. was left without a job, nor an income. He lived in his car and at friends’ houses where he slept at their couches for about eight months. He refused to inform his family about his financial hardships and worked toward picking himself up.

 “I was too proud to truly admit where I was in life. I couldn’t let my family know I was living in my car. How do you go from traveling the world, staying in a different five-star hotel every night, being the lead dancer in a Las Vegas show to living in your car? Well the answer my friend is very quickly,” said R.L.

When he became a server, he was finally able to financially survive in Hollywood and gained the freedom he needed to pursue acting.

A day in R.L.’s life while serving tables and relationships born in the restaurant

He clocks in as a server and begins to prepare mentally for the night, since working in a fast pace environment may attract demanding guests. He begins by polishing glasses and silverware and by setting up tables with clean tablecloths. After the first table is seated time fly’s and R.L. is called to put on a show and ensure his guests are happy.

“Over the course of the next few hours there will be celebrations, libations and conversations. Menu descriptions and depictions, Suggestions and digestions. A whirlwind of emotions and before you know it, your fitness app alerts you that you have set a new record high of 28000 steps before midnight and it’s time to clock out,” said R.L.

• 

• 

One of the biggest perks that R.L. considers to receive from his job is the relationships he has gained working at a restaurant. Scott Gunderson, one of R.L.’s friends and coworkers, often works by his side and shares similar experiences during serving tables.

“He is a very talented young man,” said Gunderson. “I’m proud to call him my friend. We always have fun together even in the most trying situations. Like I said, I would take a bullet for him.”

R.L. also met his girlfriend Ashley Ryan Lane, manager and horseback trail guide for Malibu riders, at the restaurant. Lane was working at the time as a hostess and admits to an immediate attraction to R.L. She took him for horseback riding for their first date and they have been together since, which amounts for almost four years

“Robert has this amazing ability to make the most of things and always goes into something with a positive outlook and I think that’s part of what has made him so successful in the restaurant industry as well as in his acting career,” said Lane.

Besides his personal relationships, supervisors share a similar positive point of view about R.L. and describe him as a hardworking individual who strives for excellence.

“Robert is a very humbled and warm welcoming young man,” said executive chef of Mastro’s Steakhouse, Beverly Hills, Walter Mayen. “If someone can measure someone else by what they do to better help others, Robert would set the standard and goal we could and should all reach.”

Advice for aspiring actors

R.L. thinks that success doesn’t happen overnight. He considers hard work and focus as primary characteristics for whoever is pursuing acting. He also supports having realistic expectations in this demanding industry, but in the meantime encourages younger actors to dream big.

“Take on the adventure and don’t look back,” said R.L. “When you dream, believe. Believe you’ll achieve. When you’ve achieved your dream, dream bigger and believe.”