Actor Asia Kate Dillon Seeks Customer Service Work After Acting Opportunities Drop

Actor Asia Kate Dillon shared on social media that they are looking for customer service jobs because their acting work has all but dried up after eleven years in the industry. Dillon stated this downturn affects many performer colleagues, especially those who are trans, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming. Dillon got their first food service job at age fifteen at Ithaca Bakery, where tasks ranged from sorting bagels and stocking drink fridges to mopping spills and cleaning restrooms. They held various service roles including dishwasher, food runner, and floor manager until transitioning to a full-time acting income in the fall of 2015. Their notable television credits include playing Brandy Epps in 19 episodes of "Orange Is the New Black" and Taylor Mason across six seasons and 71 episodes of "Billions." Dillon also appeared in films like "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum" and "Outerlands" in 2025. In late 2026, Dillon publicly came out as non-binary and made history as the first gender nonbinary performer to play a non-binary character on a major TV show. They also advocated for the SAG Awards, now known as the Actor Awards, to remove gender-specific categories, arguing that separating people by gender identity is a form of discrimination. Now available for part-time, night, and weekend work, Dillon noted that their main reentry hurdle will be learning new POS systems.

Context

Actors and performers often rely on hospitality and service jobs to sustain themselves between acting gigs, as entertainment industry work can be unpredictable and fluctuate over time. Many working artists face employment gaps, particularly during periods where casting opportunities become scarce for specific groups.