Mallory Hoff on Transitioning From Hard News to Hollywood and Embracing the Power of the Process

As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Mallory Hoff.

Mallory Hoff is an actor who’s worked on such blockbuster films as Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell,” Warner Brother’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” and the highly acclaimed legal drama “Just Mercy.” Born and raised in Atlanta, GA., Mallory started taking acting classes in elementary school and by her senior year of high school was a recipient of a prestigious Best Actress in the Region award. Mallory next went on to study Broadcast Journalism and Political Science at Emerson College in Boston, MA. After graduating she entered the field of media as a news reporter. Over the next decade, she found herself reporting for news affiliates including WABC in Manhattan, KCRA in Sacramento, CA (where she was nominated for an Emmy), and WAAY in Huntsville, AL., as well as providing content for outlets like Good Morning America, BBC, CNN, and the Weather Channel. Mallory decided to marry her two endeavors and carved out a niche for herself in the entertainment industry playing news reporters in a variety of films and TV shows. While continuing her foray into the world of film and television, Mallory expanded her acting into voiceover work in commercials, landing a national spot for Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish as the voice of an animated newscaster.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

My parents raised me and my younger brother in Atlanta, GA. My grandparents on both sides of the family moved to the South from New York, so I like to say I’m southern raised with NY influence.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

I can’t think back to a time before I wanted to be an actor. I remember watching Barney as a little kid thinking, “I want to be on that show.” I asked my parents to let me take acting classes in elementary school, and growing up I talked my way onto a few local TV sets. I was fortunate that my high school had an amazing theatre program and an incredible Director of Theatre. In my senior year, I took home a Georgia High School Association award for Best Actress in the Region.

Then my career plan shifted. I attended Emerson College in Boston where I acted in a number of student films, but ultimately majored in Broadcast Journalism. I loved writing and telling stories about people. I excelled and decided to pursue a career in TV News. After graduating in just over three years, I accepted a Reporter job at the ABC affiliate in Huntsville, Alabama. I worked my way up the media markets, making a pit stop at the NBC affiliate in Sacramento where I was even nominated for an Emmy for an investigative news story. Ultimately, I found myself reporting for WABC in New York City, the most-watched local news station in the country.

I was at the top of my game, not even 30 years old, I should have been content. A lot of people told me to stay the course, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that if I didn’t give acting a shot, I would always regret it. I got up the guts to make my move. At a lunch with my now agent, we came up with a plan to transition my career: start auditioning for reporter roles in TV and Film. Five years and almost 20 TV and Film credits later, that lunch turned out to be the gift that keeps on giving.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

A lot of times we’ll do a rehearsal on set and directors will say something to the tune of, “Whoa, that sounds so real.” When I share that I am in fact a former reporter, they often ask me if I would suggest any adjustments to the blocking or the copy in hopes of making the scene more authentic.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

It was the day before a film shoot and I had yet to receive a call sheet or my lines. I remember calling my agent wondering if I had been cut because I hadn’t heard from anyone with production. I quickly learned there is nothing out of the ordinary about not getting the details until the last minute — that’s just the way the business works!

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

When I walked away from the news, many people in my life questioned my decision. The one person who didn’t was my husband. Having followed his childhood dream of becoming a pilot, he understood how important it was for me to give mine a shot. He was like, “If you’re unhappy, you need to make your move. Period.” I don’t think I can really explain what that kind of support means.

You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

In my case, I had to stop trying to quiet the voice in my head that was screaming that I had to follow my childhood dream or face living with the fact that I was too scared to go for it. So, I guess my take is that failure is better than knowing you skipped out on trying to make the dream a reality.

What drives you to get up every day and work in TV and Film? What change do you want to see in the industry going forward?

I think you have to enjoy the process, not just the product. Meaning auditioning is the job, booking work and being on set is a bonus. As an actor, you have the privilege of helping tell a story. As a journalist, I’ve interviewed people from all walks of life. I would like to see the industry embrace some of the harder stories in our society that deserve to be told.

You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?

I was fortunate to work on two major films during the pandemic and I am currently working on a limited series. Working with some of the best actors, writers and directors in the business continue to be a gift. Going forward, my hope is that I can continue to learn from my peers and take on projects that resonate with me.

We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?

Television should represent the whole of society, not just a fraction. TV/content has the power to connect us with our neighbors and people across the globe. By sharing diverse perspectives we can create a more honest narrative about the human experience. Inclusivity inspires inclusivity. If we fail to embrace diverse voices we are doing a great disservice to the next generation. I saw myself represented on TV growing up and believe every little kid should have the opportunity to feel that way. Everyone should feel that their story matters — because it does.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

Be bold. You have to kick the door down to get into the room, no one can do it for you. Once you’re in the room, just do some good and refuse to move.

Don’t take yourself or this business too seriously. We tell stories for a living. We make people laugh or maybe even cry. It’s important work — but remember that you’re allowed to have FUN in the process. From my experience, a positive and empowering vibe on set has a beautiful impact on the final product.

This is not just a career, it’s a lifestyle. Shoot dates will change, auditions will come up at crazy times, you will book and then get cut — it’s part of the journey.

Thank your significant other (and in my case, baby) every day for riding the career rollercoaster with you. It’s a crazy ride. And if you’re fortunate enough to have a supportive family, thank your lucky stars.

Keep things in perspective. If you’re able to do what you love, recognize that sacrifices are part of the bargain.

Can you share with our readers any selfcare routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.

At the end of my news career, I was going to bed at 4 pm, waking up at 10 pm, and taking a midnight train into Manhattan. I was in the newsroom by 2:30 am, all to be ready to go live on morning TV between 4:30 am and 9 am. On nights I was reporting in the evening news I would swing my schedule the other way to be ready for an 11 pm live shot. All of this to say, these days I value sleep and routine. After I put my son to bed, I try to wind down as well. Maybe it’s all the morning shows I’ve done, but my brain works best super early. That said, from a self-care standpoint, I go to bed early, around 9:30 pm, so that I can get up around 5 am and have a few hours to myself…with my coffee.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

It’s basic, but I needed to hear it. I was reminded by a mentor early in my reporting days that a career is not a sprint but rather a marathon. Learning to pace myself, and doing the work that I truly want to be doing, has been key for me in recent years.

You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

Working in news, I interviewed a lot of families over the years who could barely afford to put food on the table. That has stayed with me. Fighting food insecurity in this country is often talked about over the holiday season, but it should be top of mind all year long.

Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

Shonda Rhimes is the first name that comes to mind. Simply put, she’s the woman behind the TV I grew up on.

Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?

You can find me on Instagram @malhoff.

This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!