Edwin Habacon may strike you as someone who’s tough and intimidating. Well, those qualities are essential for him when it comes to landing acting roles, but in reality, Edwin is just like any other nice guy. But the gruff exterior did win him the biggest gig in his career -- a supporting role in Fox’s new family sitcom, Sons of Tucson. The Asian MDWK Magazine brings you Edwin’s journey and gives you a sneak peek into the tough but exciting world of acting -- one that Edwin is ready to face head on
Everything about the 39-year-old Fil-Am actor’s appearance has tough guy written all over it. Though not a very big man, the large tattoos that cover almost every part of his upper body, his shaved head and long black beard are more than intimidating.
It’s easy to typecast Habacon as a gangster or roadhouse biker (he does have the stereotypical look) but outside that gruff exterior lies a gentle personality.
"Don’t judge a book by its cover," he said. "I’m really a nice guy. I’m approachable. I love to laugh and hang out. I know I’m not the typical-looking Filipino."
It’s easy to judge Habacon when he has that kind of appearance but it has helped especially when it comes to getting acting roles.
The seasoned actor has played a cholo in an episode of Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia, a pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean 3, and a biker in the short movie My Father the Actor. But don’t limit him to just playing "bad guys." He’s also played a transvestite in an independent film and loves to do Shakespeare with his acting troupe.
This month the versatile Habacon may have landed the biggest role in his career. Habacon is in a supporting role in Fox’s new family sitcom Sons of Tucson. The show is about a homeless man Ron Snuffkin (Tyler Labine) who acts as a pseudo-parent to three young boys.
The Sons of Tucson pilot (the first episode) aired last week and so far the reviews for the show, have been good, meaning Habacon will have a chance for a recurring role as well.
Habacon plays Joker, a friend of Snuffkin’s, who can "get whatever Tyler needs."
"I can’t give away any plot points," said Habacon of his character’s role in the show. "But Joker is a friend of Tyler’s. He’s a hustler, a friend. Joker is just a regular guy just trying to get by. He just does it in a different way."
Habacon, who has filmed four appearances on the show to be aired in the subsequent weeks, said it was easy to prepare for his character, since he and Joker are alike in many ways.
"Joker and I are the same in a way that like him, I’m trying to hustle for jobs," he said. "Our passion and dedication to doing whatever it takes to make it is the same."
Habacon has been hustling for acting jobs since he entered the business nine years ago. The former owner of Tribal Pinoy clothing wear, he decided to give that up when "it wasn’t fun anymore," so at the age of 30 he went into acting.
Born in Sampaloc in Manila, Philippines, Habacon had always wanted to study acting early in his life but parental pressures and what he calls "the Filipino mentality of pressuring their kids to become doctors, lawyers or nurses" didn’t allow him to do so.
It wasn’t until he was 30 years old that he ventured into the life of a struggling actor.
"I just wanted to take a chance," he said about foraying into acting.
It’s been a tough road, he admits.
"It’s hard to explain unless you’re in it," he said about the acting business. "I’ve been fortunate that I’m getting work. I’ve had classmates who can’t even get an agent."
"It’s a hard life," he added. "People think they can come in here and get a job right away but they eventually fall off and quit. They come in here wanting to be movie stars and not actors. You have to respect acting, keep going and study the craft."
After years of doing extra work, commercials, background roles, and one-liners, he hopes his appearance on Sons of Tucson can propel him to something bigger and better.
"I’d love to be a recurring member of that show," he said. "A steady gig. I just want people to see that I could do the work and be a pro. Right now, I feel like I’m just building my wheels and foundation. I just want to prove that I can do the work."
( Published March 17, 2010 in MDWK Magazine p. 2 )
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