Bruce Hawkins is a professional, agency represented model, mature African American actor, singer/dancer and vested member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA.
Over a thirty year period, he has appeared in national commercials, telelvision, film, theater and print advertising.
Bruce has worked freelance regularly through several top East Coast agencies, including PARTS Models, Funnyface Today, Gilla Roos, R and L, Lauren Green, Ken Park Management, CESD, Lifestyles, UGLY NY, Rick Miller, Model Service, Reinhard PA, Johnston Agency CT, Greer Lange and Central Casting DC
Bruce has years of advertising and editorial print experience working in commercials, industrials, television and print. This page on Model Mayhem is actually a retrospective of some of the unusual work he has done over the years.
For the young men and women out there that are now working in the industry, know that despite the many obstacles put in your way, there is always room for a fresh, innovative face and that if you take care of yourself and study your craft well, you can continue to work for many years.
The rules have changed. Don't ever allow other people to determine your level of success. There are a lot of haters out there. We all have something special and unique ro bring to the table, even if others can't immediately see it. Stay positive and upbeat and refuse to allow others to keep you from finding your own place in the industry. Do your homework. Find your own inner beauty and learn to project it through the lens of the camera.
Bruce also works frequently as an editorial and commercial print hand model and editorial makeup artist. He is still working as an actor and commercial print model in a senior category. He has always been very animated and has a great sense of humor and movement in front of a still camera, thanks to many years of acting and dance training.
"I NEVER had the perfect body or face, just a real desire and ambition to work. I studied my craft and continued to strive for improvement. I NEVER listened to the haters. I knew there was a place for me in the industry and I found it."
"I usually get cast as upscale doctors, lawyers and businessmen with a comedic twist. I am an animated personality and I have a natural ability to be inventive and creative in front of a camera."
Oddly enough, Bruce is working more regularly now than ever before, so he can attest that it pays to stay healthy, to keep active and to stay in the game.
Although during the course of his career, which started in the late 70's, Bruce has worked with hundreds of photographers, my favorite photographers are Dorothy Shi, Michael Keel, Keith Major, Garth Aikens, Josh Sailor and Dallas J Logan.
Bruce has worked on both sides of the camera both as a model and as a stylist and makeup artist. Through many years of experience Bruce studied and learned his craft and business really well. He has hundreds of images that are not posted here.
Bruce is not here often but he does get e-mail alerts when he gets messages, so feel free to drop him a line. He promises to answer in a timely fashion.
You may also want to request a copy of his new makeup and model card that gives a total overview of his recent work.
Editorial credits include Bon Appetit, Money Magazine, Black Enterprise, VIBE, Essence, Emerge, Bride's, Forbes, Wired, Jet, Ebony, Ebony Male, Men's Vogue
I am not, nor have I ever been a fashion model, although I have done some fashion and catalogue work.
I am more the "Everyman" type and I have been featured using products and making fun of the emotional condition of our lives.
My face never lies and I love to make faces and create unique characters to illustrate the campaigns of or the slogan of a company.
Print and commercial campaigns (TV and print) include Avon, Coors Beer, New York Telephone, IBM, Kodak, Xerox, Canon, Casio, UPS, Mastercard, McDonald's, Corian, Burger King, Bacardi, Citibank, Seagram's, Bacardi, Bacardi Light, Mobil Oil, Kirin Beer (Japan),Gas X, Pringle's, NY Daily News, Sears, Suntory (Japan), Holiday Inn, Skoal, Merck, Isle of Capri Casinos, New York Times Style Magazine, Merck
TV credits include Chappelle's Show, Guiding Light, One Life to Live, VH1 Hip Hop and Fashion Awards, All My Children, Cosby, The Equalizer, Kojak amd many others. I am a multi-talented, inter-disciplinary artist that has also worked as a professional choreographer, theater director, fashion stylist and as an advertising and public relations specialist.
As a model my work was unconventional and comedic. My first real New York commercial print agency, FunnyFace, taught me to capitalize on my zany sense of humor and my unconventional yet conservative looks.
As a person, I am shy and sometimes quite reserved. But when working in front of the camera, I get paid to make people laugh or smile at my image.
I am one of those familiar, yet forgettable everyday faces that you often see on the side of a bus, in a magazine or over the internet.
I have worked and trained with a number of New York's finest commercial and theatrical photographers including Dorothy Shi, Bill Stanton, George Ligon, Keith Major, Michael Keel, Greg Neumaier, Marty Uhmans, Dennis Kitchen, Jack Mitchell, Abe Seltzer, Dennis Chalkin, Bill Price, Luigi, Bruce Gilette, Phillip Jarrell, Franco Marsi, Roy Blakey, Mark Raboy, Jacques, Mark Kozlowski, Nancy Brown, Kenn Duncan, Joe Peoples, Steven Cuffie, Mary Kennedy, Garth Aikens, Nick Koudis, Robert Moore, Bruce Whyte, George Nieberding, Ashton Worthington, Ryuzo Masunaga, Howard Menken, Howard Berman, Jose Pelayez, Jules Allen, Goraj Studios, Tom Schierlitz, Steve DiCario, Mark Hall, Veronique Kreiger, Kana Okada, Dallas J Logan, Raquel Scerenci, Linda Strobert, Kelly Campbell, Josh Sailor, Stephan Glathe and Mel Wright
I also have twenty five years of international professional dance company touring and teaching experience and I am a former faculty member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center.
I am still working and available for professional work and East coast model workshops in New York, Boston, throughout Connecticut, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC and surrounding areas.
I currently work freelance as an editorial makeup artist and stylist for several area photographers.
Sorry, no TFP. No time.
My Model Mayhem makeup profle is listed here as Upon Special Request, profile # 1069603
I also have a men's grooming site under the name Masculine Perspective, profile #1088790
Also available to do image consultations paid personal show business and professional model career development consultations upon request and by appointment only.
Keep focused and work towards achieving your industry dreams. Understand that even though we all face rejection on a daily basis, there are those that will see, understand and appreciate your gifts. Find them and create your own unique reality.
