GQ Australia - May 2014

By David Smiedt

Simon Baker’s Guide to Making It In America

 For Real People Too, Not Just Actors

To shamelessly borrow from Oscar Wilde, somewhere in a Launceston attic must be a portrait of actor Simon Baker. The Tasmanian’s face is lined with the tracks of 44 summers, blond hair is straying to grey and his neck is flirting with jowls. (No idea what we’re on about? Shame on you. To summarise, in Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, the lead sells his soul so that a painting of himself would age, while he himself stays forever young and beautiful. There: English lit lesson done.)

The point is, when we meet Baker in person, he could pass for 25 in full sunlight. His skin is burnished, hair tousled and the only concession to age is a pair of tortoiseshell glasses.

Looks aren’t his only success though. Baker parlayed a bit part in 1997’s ‘LA Confidential’ into a film career including ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ and ‘I Give It A Year’ as well as television series such as ‘The Guardian’ and ‘Smith’. But he’s best known as Patrick Jane in crime thriller ‘The Mentalist’, which since it began in 2009 has been a consistent ratings winner both in the US and around the world. The last time Baker’s contract was up for renewal, it was reported he inked a deal for $500,000. Per episode. Add a negotiated producer credit and slice of the syndication profits, and two things become clear. 1. The figure tops out at around £30m. 2. Baker is a dab hand at managing a business - namely the business of being Simon Baker - in a nation fed on bankrupt dreams and where he bases himself with wife Rebecca and their three children, Stella, Claude and Harry. And that’s without mentioning his endorsement deals with Longines, ANZ and Givenchy, as the face of the new Gentlemen Only fragrance. Here’s what he told us about becoming a stateside success.

Be Your “Aussie” Self

“What stands Australians in great stead when they work here is they bring with them a sense of authenticity. So many people feel they have to change themselves and how they operate because they’re now in America. That’s just not the case. Australian  culture respects people who do their own thing their way - Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe prime examples - and maintaining that unique stance will get you noticed in whatever area you work. That's what resonates in America. Saying that, there's a line between authenticity and being a contrary bastard."

Keep Your Ego In Check

"You may have incredible skills or an idea that's going to revolutionise your world, but the minute you start to believe your own hype or take yourself too seriously, you undermine your chances of success. It took me a few years to learn that. Now I'm a bit longer in the tooth, I'm better at it. Part of the freshness that Australians bring to American business is that we like to succeed and are competitive, but not to the point where we sacrifice enjoying ourselves. Having a rounded life outside or work - doing the things that stimulate you and boost your happiness levels - improves your performance when you're back on set or in the office."

Find The Time

"America in general, and Los Angeles in particular, is such a business-driven place - always hunting the next deal - that people neglect the part of their lives that nurture creativity of ideas, or relaxation. This is where so much of the best stuff comes from. Go to a bar on a weeknight here and it's dead by 10pm because people are exhausted from networking 12 hours a day. If you're constantly working an angle or a pitch you're doing yourself a disservice. Good things emerge from stepping back and switching off."

Retrospection Is For The Elderly

"Of course you need to value your achievements but success can sometimes breed a fear of failure - you ask yourself if the first time was a fluke - and it prevents you from taking the risks required to establish yourself in a new country or market. What worked for me was focusing, exclusively, on the future, coupled with a 'what do I have to lose' attitude. My view was, 'I can make an arse of myself but at least I won't regret not giving it a shot.'"

Routine Is Not Your Friend

"As soon as you settle into doing things in the same way, creativity becomes dulled. To consistently keep producing what your market responds to, you need to seek out novel experiences, both in your personal and work life. Like moving to a new country and starting from scratch with a baby in tow. There have been times in my career when I've felt things have been stagnating, so we moved back to Australia for a while and then came back to the States. Don't be scared of pulling up stumps and going where the challenges are."

Find Your True Motivation

"People come here with ideas of making billions and becoming famous. It's all on offer, but the dream can fizzle pretty quickly if that's what's driving you. When we arrived, I had a child and responsibilities. As a result, I viewed the concept of success as being able to provide for my family. To achieve this, I had to deliver consistent performances, be professional on and off set and be someone others would want to collaborate with and invest in. The same philosophy would pay off in Silicon Valley or Wall Street just as much as it did in Hollywood. My circumstances have never allowed me to be selfish and that's attributed to the success we've had in America. There was no time where I was just working for my own ends and this made a huge difference."

Think Long-Term

"When you work with people, it's only natural that they view you in the context of the specific job you are doing. But when there's more to you, you need to make them aware of it. Series like 'The Mentalist' and 'The Guardian' functioned a bit like film school for me. I've always wanted to direct movies and was aware that being on these sets was a great opportunity to learn the things I'd need to know to eventually get to the next goal. Once I'd been doing the job I'd been hired for to a dependable standard, I began expressing an interest in directing, and when an opportunity arose, I took it."

Return To Your Roots

"The egalitarianism of Australia is a huge tonic, whether you're doing well or struggling in America. We measure worth slightly differently and it keeps you grounded. When I'm having a drink with my mates in the pub in Bangalow [NSW}, they'd be quick to tell me if I'd come back any different to the bloke I was when we first met."

Know Your Values

"When choosing to get involved with a brand like Givenchy, I looked at the fact it was well established with deep aristocratic roots while at the same time forward thinking and understanding of contemporary culture. I was slightly concerned whether I fitted these traits and was worried I'd look like the old guy in the corner of this stylish shoot. But then someone explained that the fragrance embodied values of chivalry and a gentleman. That was key because those values are important to me. Manners, courtesy and decency, generosity of spirit are all enmeshed in this ideal, but instead of just talking about them, they're encapsulated by simple daily actions like opening a door for someone or saying 'after you'."

Focus On What Makes You Proud

"If you aren't fulfilled by what you're doing now, find something else to do. I've never been one of those guys who sees a bunch of leaves on the ground and won't rake them up because more leaves will be there in 10 minutes. I want to leave it spotless. It doesn't matter who notices it, as long as I know it's been done properly. It's a philosophy that's helped tremendously in my work life."

Scans: http://thebakerboy.ucoz.com/forum/2-191-15074-16-1401098202

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