Actor Nathaniel Fuller Takes Life One Role at a Time

You know you’re a success as an actor if you’ve been in so many plays you can’t recall the exact number.

“I think I’ve been in 60 or 70 shows all together at the Guthrie,” Nathaniel Fuller said. “I’m not sure how many, but it’s a lot.”

Fuller has played just about every type of character imaginable in his 24 years at the Guthrie Theater. He began his tenure there under Artistic Director Garland Wright, who formed the original “core” of actors we have come to associate with the Guthrie, including Fuller, Sally Wingert, Isabelle Monk and others. While the core company concept no longer exists officially, many of its original members are still regulars on the Guthrie stage.

Fuller began acting in high school. He declared himself pre-med in college and took science prerequisites and studied English as well. But he found himself spending his free time on stage and directing. After college, Fuller had a three-year stint in the Navy, where he had the opportunity to do some acting while stationed in San Diego, California and the Island of Adak between Anchorage, Alaska and Siberia. In 1972 he moved on to the University of Southern California for a graduate degree in play directing. That lead to opportunities at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, work at theaters in Chicago and ultimately a move to the Twin Cities in 1976, where he worked first at the Cricket Theater. He landed his first job at the Guthrie in 1987.

“You know, I was actually pretty miserable during my time in the Navy. I really didn’t care for it,” Fuller said. “So afterward I thought whether I succeeded or failed at acting, I’d just give it a shot. I didn’t know if I had any talent and I had no connections. So if I failed, I’d just do something else. Well, I’ve never looked back and I’ve never regretted that decision.” Fuller said.

Some of Fuller’s most memorable roles at the Guthrie include four turns as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” a play he has performed in for 22 years and in nearly every role except Fezziwig and the Ghost of Christmas Present, the role of Nat Miller in “Ah, Wilderness,” and a role in “Magic Fire.” He also said one of his favorite roles of all time was the role of Shipkov, the Bulgarian subway driver he recently played in “Agnes Under the Big Top” at Mixed Blood Theater. He also estimates that he has gone on stage as an understudy more than any other Guthrie actor, and has taken on more understudy responsibilities there than anyone at over 50 shows.

To make a living as a full time actor these days is a pretty big feat. So how does Fuller pull it off?

“For one thing, I’m really lucky. I was in the right place at the right time,” Fuller said. “It wasn’t always easy. I got in at the Guthrie and it’s one of the best paying theaters in the country. I first got hired there because a director knew me and had to replace an actor in a show. So I ended up staying on in the role, which was a tour of ‘Candida’,” Fuller said. “After that came roles in Richard III, Pericles and several other shows.  

Fuller said employment as a professional actor is always year to year, and show to show. You never really know if you’ll still have a job or an offer. He said while there’s no real job security, over the years he’s been fortunate to work in a town where he can stay employed and still have time for his family. He noted that many New York actors have to work out of town much of the time to make a living.

Jim Miller is President of Lipservice Talent Guild, a member-run agency that represents Fuller for commercial work in radio and television. He praised Fuller’s authenticity as a performer.

“Nat is an actor's actor. He has a wealth of experience, and his characters are always imaginative and well-conceived but most importantly truthful,” Miller said. “He pays attention to the details in his preparation and it shows in the final product.”

Veteran Twin Cities stage actor and voice talent Shirley Venard also praised Fuller for his dedication to the craft.

“I worked with Nat for three seasons under Garland Wright. He is a perfectionist, not without a great sense of balance and priority,” Venard said. “One of the dearest characteristics is his steady, relaxed demeanor. He is there for his compadres with quiet support and ready humor.”

Fuller is currently performing in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” which runs through June 5th on the Guthrie’s Wurtele Thrust Stage.

“It’s very funny. It’s nothing but fun,” Fuller said. “It’s about a couple of sweet elderly ladies who give lonely old beggars who come to their house elderberry wine laced with arsenic to send them to their final rest. I play Reverend Harper at the very beginning of the show, and Mr. Witherspoon at the very end. Audiences are just loving it. It’s just a very well-done production,” Fuller said.

Nathaniel Fuller lives in the Windom neighborhood with his wife Cathy Fuller, who is also a professional actor. Their daughter Amanda caught the performing bug too. She’s currently in New York pursuing her acting dream.

For more information on “Arsenic and Old Lace” and to see video clips of the show, visit here.