Myles Matisse

Myles Matisse...aka Myles Leighton...aka Myles Leighton Gullette

Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Myles is one of five siblings: three sisters and a brother. By six years of age, his parents were divorced with custody going to his mother. Growing up, he moved around more than most, not only with his family but in private schools. Through it all, he met people from all walks of life and experienced more by his senior year in high school than most.

After graduating, Myles tried his luck at the University level and had quite the experience. Staying for a mere 1 1/2 years, he decided to take a break from pursuing Theater and Radio/TV (where he also DJ'ed at the local radio station and operated studio cameras at the TV station) and join the Army. As a 19 year old, he lacked the focus, maturity, common sense, confidence and looks to make things work to his advantage, both on-stage and off.

Years later, when Myles went back to finish his degree in Theater, with a minor focus in Film Production, at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, he was a different, more focused and mature man, performing at the top of his Department. Committed to excellence and doing the work, Myles felt extremely gratified going back, surpassing all his dreams. It came easy compared with his earlier attempts right out of high school and he proved that you CAN go back and finish where you left off.

Before attending SIUC, Myles spent four years in the U.S. Army as a Still Photographic Specialist. Being aware the Army offered Journalism, Audio-Visual, Motion picture & Still Photography, as well as Public Affairs and having a passion for Photography, he realized he'd much rather have a camera in his hands than a rifle or tank. There's not much use for artillery or tank skills in the civilian world and he wanted something he could use after the military. With persistence, he convinced his recruiter, getting a slot in Photography.

During the Army, Myles was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Denver, Colorado and Augsburg, Germany. He lived for a total of six years (during after the Army) in Augsburg Germany where he worked as a Photographer, the Photographic Lab Manager for the triad of Army Posts in Augsburg (Flak, Reese, & Sheridan), a DJ/VJ for Army Clubs & two German bar/restaurants and as a Medical Lab Assistant at Gemeinshaftspraxis Dr. Schottdorf, (a German Medical Company/Laboratory). Over time, Myles became integrated with the German system and society, professionally, personally and by becoming fluent in the language.

While in Germany, Myles found Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in books on Colleges and found the best FILM school/THEATER program at not only the best price but with the most reasonable AND (more importantly) achievable entry requirements. Getting accepted easily into both the University and Theatre and Film Departments without having to audition for Theater or present a package of prior work for Film was uplifting for Myles. All it took was his transcripts and application. No letters of recommendation needed. Myles proved once in the Departments of Theatre and Film that you could be among the best without the application distractions that other bigger name schools demanded.

In the end, after a break for a few years in Hollywood where he gained invaluable experience temping for many entertainment related companies as well as film and tv studios, Myles ended up back at SIUC where he finished his four year degree in Theater/Acting with a minor focus in Film.

Myles' time at SIUC turned out to be an unbelievable time of growth, learning and achievement. While finishing his degree, he found time to create, produce, edit, host, write, shoot and direct 13 one hour music video shows for the University TV station and host/DJ his own weekly radio show, both as his alter ego "Mack Daddy Myles", a tongue in cheek, self appointed ladies man.

Also between 1998 - 2000, he had lead roles in 'Three Days of Rain' (dual role of Pip/Theo), 'Machinal' (dual role of lover/priest), 'Ladies From Fall River' (many roles including Andrew Borden), 'The Serpent' (numerous roles), 'Leander Stillwell' (Lt. Perry Hatcher), 'The Actor's Nightmare' (Henry Irving), and 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' (Big Daddy). Stunned that he was able to return to school years later and become such a strong part of the Theater Department was both humbling and exhilarating and proved to him that it's never too late.

While finishing his BA at SIUC, Myles travelled across the state to Chicago where he auditioned for an MFA in Acting slot at UCLA. Getting turned down weeks later by Rejection letter was a huge blow for him as he had put all his eggs in one basket so to speak by auditioning for only ONE school. The reason for his decision was because UCLA was the only University he wanted to attend. Myles knew it was the best and in the perfect location...the entertainment capitol of the world and he knew he was worthy. He had taken a huge risk and it backfired, teaching him an invaluable lesson. Due to the complexities of applying for an MFA slot as well as his disillusionment with the entire process, Myles put his ultimate dream of a Masters in Acting to rest.

Over the years and up to the present, Myles has continually worked as a DJ/VJ in such diverse places as Kentucky, Germany, Illinois, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Westwood, Dallas. Prime gigs were as the opening act/DJ for Erasure at the American Legion Hall in Hollywood, DJing the Christmas party on set for cast / crew of TV show "Chicago Hope" and doing lights and video imagery for a monthly club night at the Viper Room. Myles' biggest dream of promoting his own night "Pleasuredome" (New Wave with a Twist!) along with his good friend Marc Loren, became a reality in September 2004. The biggest suprise of all came in the form of his most EXCITING and original collaboration and that is with the most beuatiful and classy Selene Luna. The night they created a weekly event called "Boudoir Du BurLez" ( www.burlez.com ) in West Hollywood @ The Palms.

The entertainment industry known as Hollywood has been an on-off again part of Myles' life since 1995. His first job was an internship for Amadea Film Productions' "Walker Texas Ranger" as well as "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman". Following the internship, Myles landed jobs (mostly temp or seasonal) with many studios, companies, agencies as well as various casting directors including Victoria Burrows, Jean Scoccimaro, Marci Liroff, Scot Boland, Steve Brooksbank and Mary Jo Slater.

Companies he's worked for in Hollywood include: Writers Guild of America (WGA), CBS-TV, Warner Brothers Studios, Addis-Wechsler, APA (Agency of Performing Arts), Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS), Maverick Records, Chrysalis Records, Polygram, Walt Disney Studios, and others. He performed a wide range of duties: clerical, administrative, runner, production & personal assistant, receptionist.

Myles has also studied acting with numerous teachers including Jeff Goldblum and Robert Carnegie (Meisner Technique) at PlayHouse West, Darryl Hickman (wonderful character actor since childhood), Robert Forster, for one unforgettable class, (he's an actor whose career was revitalized by Quentin Tarentino's 'Jackie Brown' and TV's 'Karen Sisco') Rick Johnson (actor turned director who was also a fellow alum from alma mater SIUC), Anita Jesse and most recently with Steppenwolf Classes West, where in 2006 he aced an audition and place after not having acted since 2000. Myles has had several "extra", "bit" and "walk on" roles in several films ranging from independent to studio, all of which, outside of experience, have (As of August 2004) amounted to only two SAG vouchers (three are needed for Screen Actors Guild eligibility). Myles also had the INCredible opportunity to attend the 68th Annual Oscars since he was an employee at the time.

Being a filmmaker and videographer, Myles was the official lens man for the monthly LA club "Makeup!" and has shot many Hollywood gigs of and for Nick Heyward, India Dupre, Mayflower, E.G. Daily, CandyAss, Jackie Beat, Marble, Astropanties, Popism, Abby Travis, Ann Magnuson, Jane Wiedlin, Rebekah Del Rio and more. Myles took a break from Hollywood between 2001-03 for personal matters as well as a DJ residency in a premiere Music Video Bar in Dallas, Texas.

Since May 2003, Myles is back in Hollywood and has no plans to leave. As for the future, he's open to pursue all things artistic: music DJ, acting, production, film, performance, theater, TV, writing, videography. For him, it's AbOUT being creative and passionate in whatever comes along in this rollercoaster called life.

In Hollywood, people always ask, "So, what do you do?" To Myles, that's always been a difficult question to answer. There's so many things he's done, does and wants to do, that to narrow it down to ONE thing is kind of like narrowing down him and his potential. What does Myles do? Well, he acts, DJs, writes, is a live performance/concert filmmaker/documentarian, works in film/TV and audio-visual production and much more.

Whatever happens in Tinseltown and beyond, Myles isn't about to give up climbing. Bottom line...he's a man completely open to whatever life, love, the entertainment industry, Hollywood and the world throws his way.