Best known across the region as a promoter and avid Newcastle United fan, Steve Wraith always had the dream of being an actor and 40 years on, things are finally moving in the right direction following a recent appearance in box office smash Rise of the Footsoldier 3'
Steve, now 46, had his first role at the tender age of six when he played King Canute in a school play; from that moment on he was determined to make it as an actor. At 11, he joined the Young Peoples Theatre in Heaton, following in the footsteps of Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) and honed his skills alongside Tom Goodman Hill (Mr Selfridge) under the guidance of Nick Whitfield.
“It was a great place and I have a lot of happy memories from there,” began Steve. “My favourite role was the Artful Dodger in Oliver; I was also lucky enough to go on tour with the group to America in 1985 for three weeks and then Russia three years later for a two week tour.”
The local actor left school and attended Newcastle College to study Performing Arts but left after that first year, walking away from acting to go into the family business.
I was lucky enough to take a walk along the famous cobbles a couple of years ago and I know I could give current street villain Pat Phelan' a run for his money!
Steve Wraith“I had a bad experience working on a touring pantomime and it put me off acting so I decided to go into the family business instead,” added Steve. “My dream was over and I never thought I would go back to it.”
Then, in 2004, a chance meeting with an old friend John Altman (Nick Cotton in Eastenders) relit the blue touch paper of his acting career.
“John was starring in a play up here with local actor Chris Connel and we had a night out. “They suggested I give acting another go or I might live to regret it so I joined up with an extras agency in Newcastle and never looked back.”
Some six years of working as an extra, appearing in the likes of Byker Grove, Tracy Beaker and Wire in the Blood, Steve decided it was time to go back to study as a mature student.
“I went back to college in Gateshead and took a GCSE in Drama, then, after a chat with the Head of Performing Arts, Stephen Melville, who I knew from my days at the Peoples Theatre, I took a three year degree there with Newcastle University.
“I graduated in 2010 and finally achieved my dream of turning professional when I was signed up by Darlington-based Claypole Management (headed by Sam Claypole) in 2010.”
Steve Wraith the actor has gone on to add a healthy array of credits to his growing CV. He has appeared on local crime drams Vera and 55 Degrees North, and in films such as Almost Married, Scintilla, The Guv’nors and In Our Name.
“I tend to get cast in certain roles,” Steve continued. “Gangsters, football hooligans, doormen, but I don’t mind that, although I did get cast as a lollipop man and a lifeguard once!”
The latest role sees Steve as another villain, Steamboat, in the hit gangster movie Rise of the Footsoldier 3′ where he appears alongside Craig Fairbrass, Shaun Ryder, Eddie Webber and Bill Murray.
“This really has been a big break for me and getting the chance to work alongside the likes of Craig and Billy has been an unforgettable experience. “I owe a big thanks to director Zack Adler for giving me the opportunity.”
But does the actor have a dream role? “I have just landed a part in another Gangster film entitled The Krays-Dead Man Walking, which starts filming next month and I am looking forward to that because of my connection with the Kray family, however, my dream role would be to play the villain in Coronation Street. “I was lucky enough to take a walk along the famous cobbles a couple of years ago and I know I could give current street villain Pat Phelan’ a run for his money!”
Rise of the Footsoldier 3 Is now available on DVD and BluRay.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveWraith