Over a decade ago, Cory Hardrict got on an airplane to Los Angeles with $75 and a dream.
The Chicago native moved to the West Coast, an unfamiliar place, knowing that he wanted to act. "Life is about risks," said Hardrict. The actor continued, "You can take a great risk and get a great reward, or you can take a great risk and get a great fail. You never know until you try."
Suggested Reading
The 36-year-old's mother introduced him to acting as a teenager, and Hardrict is forever grateful to her. Before she passed away from leukemia, Hardrict promised her that he would pursue acting.
As a budding actor in L.A., Hardrict was no stranger to odd jobs: He worked in security, at Kmart, night shifts, the works. But his single decision—to get on that plane—and the tremendous risk involved led to great success. "We are our choices," Hardrict told The Root.
Now Hardrict's résumé runneth over. Most recently he landed the leading role of Sheed in Destined and Haitian Jack in upcoming Tupac biopic All Eyez on Me.
The Root sat down with Hardrict to discuss mastering one's destiny and his upcoming films and to hear some food for thought.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.