Hollywood talent warns of vanishing jobs as productions exit California
Actors Jeff Garlin and Bryan Callen say acting work has dried up in Los Angeles, while state officials tout new tax credits to revive the industry.
During a recent podcast, Jeff Garlin admitted that he has not worked in acting for almost three years, blaming the exodus of productions from California and even the country. He suggested that the industry could now be thriving in places like Sweden, highlighting the broader trend of studios moving abroad. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded by unveiling a new post-production tax credit, expanding existing film and television incentives, and introducing safeguards against AI-generated performances.
The California Film Commission awarded incentives to 35 films, including 28 independents, projecting more than $1 billion in direct spending and jobs for over 5,400 cast and crew members. Nonetheless, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes a decline of 49,000 jobs since 2022, and actors such as Bryan Callen stress that high costs and competition from locations like Ireland make it difficult to sustain a living in Los Angeles. While some fear the decline of Hollywood’s traditional “monoculture,” both Garlin and Callen maintain that the city’s talent pool and infrastructure remain unmatched.
