Joe Manganiello told Mt. Lebanon High School students Tuesday that his future as an actor came down to three minutes in his life — three minutes to make an impression with scores of producers, casting directors and agents from New York and Los Angeles.
And to do it, he chose to perform a monologue he learned as a senior at Mt. Lebanon High School.
Manganiello, a 1995 Mt. Lebanon graduate and 2000 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, told the theater students that the monologue from "Moonstruck," performed as part of Carnegie Mellon's graduate "showcase" in New York and Los Angeles, landed him an agent and a role in the hit movie "Spider-Man."
"That monologue, that's why I got everything," he said.
Manganiello was in town this week to visit with family and friends and to attend a local premiere of "Spider-Man," organized by his mother.
That's where Mt. Lebanon High School theater teacher Cindy Schreiner asked Manganiello to talk to the students.
In "Spider-Man," Manganiello plays Peter Parker's high school nemesis, Eugene "Flash" Thompson. In its opening weekend, the movie took in $114.8 million, the largest three-day opening in movie history.
Manganiello said that while he auditioned for the lead role of Peter Parker, he knew he wasn't right for the part.
"I'm 6 foot 5, so who are they going to get to play the bully, a Dallas Cowboy linebacker⢠I knew I was right for the part of 'Flash'."
After the class, a number of students stuck around to ask Manganiello his thoughts on getting into the business or simply to get their picture with him and an autograph.
Schreiner said Manganiello's story is one of a number of success stories that have come from the Mt. Lebanon High School theater program.
"It's fun to keep in touch with the kids and former students," she said.
