From the Big House to the Big Screen

Standing six feet tall and weighing 260 pounds, Robert Salzman is aptly nicknamed "Big Rob" by his friends. The 51-year-old bouncer has worked in bars around New York City for the past eight years after spending much of his life bouncing in and out of jail on robbery, assault and drug charges.

A chance encounter on the subway last year has led to a fresh start. Film director Rashaad Ernesto Green spotted "Big Rob" while riding the D Train and noticed his distinct stature and the tattoos on his face. The director asked Salzman to audition for his upcoming Bronx-based movie Gun Hill Road, an independent film about a man released from prison and the emotional challenges he faces returning home to his family. With zero acting experience, Salzman tried out and landed the supporting role of "Sugar," a former convict and a "not-so-nice person," he says.

"I had always been part of nothing, but now I'm part of something positive," Salzman says of Gun Hill Road, which was featured at this year's Sundance Film Festival. He has since auditioned for two more movie roles, and is working and saving money while staying with a friend in the Bronx.

Salzman found work after his release with help from the owners of Windfall, a New York City restaurant, who helped him obtain a security license to work as a bouncer. He recalls the day he appeared in court before a judge who asked him, "Why should we give you your license? Why should we believe you've changed?" Salzman, who brought along a dozen friends to vouch for him, simply said, "Look around me. I've got friends now."

"These were people who took a liking to me," says Salzman, who is the father of two and grandfather of five. "That's how I knew I changed -- because people like that would never even talk to me before. I'm getting a second chance at life. Fifty isn't the end. Fifty is my beginning."

In an interview with SecondAct, Salzman talks about his difficult past, his transformation since prison, and how he is seizing his second act to maintain his health and set goals for the future.

SA: What has changed the most about you since you were released from prison?

RS: I like who I am now. I can look in the mirror and say to myself, "You're a nice guy." I was brought up in foster homes and was abused and neglected. I had so much anger in me. I kept blaming my past, not knowing my mother or father -- I felt that I was born in the system. When I used to commit robberies, I would [use the money to] pay for a hotel, I would buy food. As long as I had a place to lay my head, food to eat, I was alright. And the cycle kept on continuing. I would get locked up three years here, four years, five years there. [I realized] I'm not a kid anymore; I can't keep blaming my parents. If I don't stop what I'm doing I'm going to die in the streets or spend the rest of my life in jail.

SA: What changes did you make after realizing this?

RS: I made a transformation that most people might think is kind of odd. The guy who lived negatively, the guy who robbed people, the guy who carried guns, who sold drugs -- he had no tattoos. So when I was in jail, I got tattoos on my arms, chest, back and face, and I started working out real hard and got big, and I won weightlifting plaques in prison. I just wanted something new about the way I looked that was a new beginning. The guy with tattoos -- he never robbed [anybody] or carried guns. The guy with tattoos -- people could trust him. It was a transformation into something good. And so far I think it's happening, because I've been out for 10 years, and I've been working and I have people who care about me.

SA: What do you do to stay healthy?

RS: I work out five or six days a week in the street. I'll shadowbox for five minutes to warm up, do pull-ups, push-ups, curls. Exercise is like medication to me. It makes me feel good. I feel relaxed. When I walk down the street, I feel strong. It also helps to know that working out slows down the aging process. I might be 51, but a lot of people tell me I look much younger. I also don't eat a lot of fried foods like I used to. I eat a lot of salad and fish, and I only eat red meat once a week. I don't drink sodas the way I used to. I drink juice and water instead.

SA: What about your acting career?

RS: [Continuing acting] is something I'd like to try, and I hope it does me well. But if [acting] doesn't work, I'll still be glad I was a part of it, because I have grandkids, and when I leave this world, I'll still be around. That's one thing about acting -- once you're on film, you're never dead. So [my grandkids] can say "My grandfather was in a movie."

SA: What do you hope for in the future?

RS: I really don't care about being rich or famous. The only thing I'm concerned about is having a place to lay my head and not having to go to a shelter and be homeless, having food to eat and a good woman who loves me. I just want enough money to pay my bills, and to be able to put a key in my own apartment.