Most of us spend our younger years reading, hitting the mall and riding bicycles. However, Adam C. Ciesielski had more dangerous plans. He was, and still is, an adrenaline junkie, who would rather be doing tricks on four wheelers than playing a board game. He wasn’t born to be a small-town boy. Adam was born to be an entertainer.
Over the last 10 years he’s built an impressive list of colleagues, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Collin Ferrell and the late Paul Walker. All of whom, Adam believes are some of the best people he’s ever worked with.
Getting out of Franklinville, New Jersey into films like Furious 7, The Hunger Games: MockingJay, Flight and Teen Wolf wasn’t easy. Adam had to fight for his existence. Like many actors, he didn’t have family support. People laughed at his dreams and even tried to block his path.
In his late teens, Adam was homeless. He was forced to learn the basic survival tactics of street life; like waiting for the diner to close, so he could get the scraps at the end of the day. Then, for shelter, he would buy coffee and stay at Denny’s because they couldn’t kick out a paying customer. One of the more difficult things about being homeless is staying presentable. He overcame this roadblock by getting showered at the gym. Adam was determined to prove all of the naysayers, including his family, wrong. With fearless hope and self discipline, he knew he would eventually be a star.
Many stars get into position by ruining people along the way. Some take joy in knocking people down like dominoes, never considering that they are ruining a human life. Somehow, Adam found that the best path to success was not destruction but invention.
He learned the ropes from a not-so-close associate, John Bara. This man took him off the streets, helped him make a commitment to his dream, and showed him how to fly. Adam started to pound the pavement, make connections, sneak into events and shake the hands of many people who others would have ignored. His first acting gigs were low pay, $50 per day, and he had to drive 3 hours to get there. Eventually, a guy named Scott Dale spotted him on set and he went from being a $50 extra to a $2000 per day stuntman!
Being a stuntman isn’t easy, but Adam has no complaints. He incorporates martial arts, Cross Functional Training, Close Quarter Combat Training, weight lifting and Kali into his fitness regimen to stay in optimal health for his projects.
There’s not many people in this world who think that jumping off of buildings and popping wheelies on motorcycles is exciting. Actors like Adam are rare and in high demand. Part of his marketability is his humbleness, welcoming nature and smart advice.
1. Be prepared to hear 10,000 “No’s” before you get one “Yes”.
2. Be yourself when auditioning.
3. Network as much as possible.
After being recently nominated for a SAG Award, and being in Dwayne Johnson’s HBO show Ballers, Adam has expanded his dream list. Working with Robert Downy, Jr., and doing a Star Wars film, are at the top of it.
His new business agreement with The Diamond Agency, the largest talent agency in Florida, will help him get there. I’m certain he made it this far by Gods grace and I pray by faith that he achieves his future dreams.
