Influential Woman · Acting

Denise E Keizer

ACTOR / SAG ELIGIBLE, -Chateau Noir Productions

Nyc, NY

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree BU (Boston University) Degree Graduated 1992 Degree Acting training with various schools and teachers in New York since 1998 Cert SAG Eligible Member SAG (Screen Actors Guild) - Eligible status

Her Story

About Denise

I've been an actor for over 20 years, and it's truly my passion. I graduated from BU in 1992 and moved to New York, where I've lived for over 30 years now. Since 1998, I've studied acting with various schools and teachers throughout the city. My breakthrough came when I booked my first serious television gig for NBC, which was incredibly exciting - the show premiered on NBC and then they sold the seasons to Netflix, so it's still available there. I'm currently SAG eligible and own my own film company. Beyond acting, I have 15 plus years in hospitality, including work at the iconic Hotel Chelsea on West 23rd Street, where legends like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones stayed. I also have 3 to 4 years in customer service. Right now, I'm studying drama and working to get into grad school to further develop my craft. I come from a family of college professors who all attended Ivy League schools, so education and continuous learning have always been important values in my life.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Denise

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my resilience. It's what has kept me going through all the ups and downs of this industry.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've received, probably from most of my mentors, is to be yourself. Listen to yourself, listen to others, and listen before you answer a question. Remain approachable, positive, not toxic. These principles have guided me throughout my career and helped me navigate the industry with integrity.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

You have to love what you do. I understand you get your college degree and you're like, I gotta get a 9-to-5 job. You do, but at the same time, you can still try to find your passion. There are ways to get into something that might not be giving you as much money as you need, but if you're happy and happier, you can make that work. I think a lot of people give up quickly because they're worried about where their next meal is going to come from, which I did that for years, but at a certain point, life is too short. You have to just go for it, because in the end, none of us are gonna be here. So go for it. And if you have hiccups, that's just part of life.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenges are essentially diversity in the field, and that's getting better. The opportunities are that they do take a chance on newcomers, and they do look at the talent, and you will get your rewards. But it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. So you gotta be patient.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

The values most important to me are loyalty, honesty, frankness - really, to be candid or transparent. These principles guide both my professional work and my personal relationships.

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