'Paul Mescal's first major role was in an Ireland breakfast sausage ad, which 'financed my rent for five months'.'
Before Hollywood producers were lining up to woo him to their projects, Mescal was hustling to make ends meet.
In a recent GQ profile, the 28-year-old actor recalled a commercial he did for the Irish sausage brand Denny at the beginning of his career. Mescal, who had just graduated drama school, was interested in serious dramatic projects. However, as he noted in an interview last year with BBC Radio 4's "Today," he was "poor" at the time.
""My agent suggested a sausage advert as a solution, but I was focused on paying my rent," Mescal replied."
The young actor was financially supported by the ad that showcased "All of Us Strangers" star as an Irish teen inspired to travel the world.
He assured GQ that the five months' worth of rent he paid for would prevent him from listening to any denigration of Denny's.
Last year, Mescal stated that he often recalls his sausage-selling experience as his career progresses.
He remarked that if he ever felt like he outgrew his boots, it was a reminder that he had been promoting sausages after leaving drama school.
The actor felt "lucky" to be Irish and benefit from the country's government funding for higher education, which allowed him to attend drama school for just $10,000. The affordable tuition gave him the freedom to be more selective about his post-Denny roles.
"What if someone offered to pay off your college debt in exchange for a terribly written piece of work?"
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