Name: Cory Hardrict Profession: Actor Age: 35 One Word That Describes You: Passionate Born in Chicago, Cory Hardrict began his career on television during the late 1990s, with appearances in weekly prime-time programs including Smart Guy, Felicity, Once and Again and ER. He made his film debut in 1999 romantic comedy Never Been Kissed, and in 2009 appeared in the romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You and the drama Dough Boy. Most recently the actor appeared alongside Bradley Cooper as Navy Seal Deryck "D" Dandridge in American Sniper, and in the film produced by Queen Latifah's company Flavor Unit Brotherly Love as a guy who sacrifices his basketball dreams. With a long career in film and television as both an actor and director, Hardrict remains passionate and ready to take his career to even newer heights. Inspired by his mother, Hardrict was not a natural when it came to acting. "I initially had a fear of acting that I had to overcome," Hardrict tells BE Modern Man. "My mother believed in me, and she's the reason I pursued it. Years later I was in my first Academy Award Nominated film American Sniper, and it still feels like a dream to be in this position!" It did not take Hardrict long to overcome his fear and go after it. Working in a space that is extremely cut throat, where you can be on top of the world one day and forgotten about the next, is challenging. Consistency has helped Hardrict to stay the course. "I stuck to my instinct," says Hardrict, "with everything moving at lightening speed around me, I center myself, ignore the noise, and stay the course of my destiny." Read more on page 2... Finding balance in an up and down profession and dealing with the loss of his mother and brother were the most challenging moments in his life and career. "At that time I was done acting, so it felt like my life ended for me because that was all I knew," Hardrict tells BE Modern Man. "But as the year's passed I found inner strength from my angel in heaven to go on make her proud, and that's what I'm still trying to do." Drawing strength from his angel above, Hardrict pursued his passion which led him to his soulmate Tia Mowry-Hardrict, and birth of their son, Cree. Things seem to be balancing themselves out and life is on the up and up for Hardrict, who recently wrapped filming of the sci-fi thriller Spectral , which will be in theaters in 2016. He also recently began shooting the murder mystery November Criminals. As a young man who stumbled into his acting career, Hardrict wants his story to be an inspiration to all of the young BE Modern Man hopefuls and comrades. "I see my impact just being the voice of the next generation and inspiring anybody I come in contact with," says Hardrict. " I want people to know that you are in charge of your life and no matter what you look like or where you come from we can all make a difference." A true survivor, Hardrict started his career in LA with $70 in his pocket. Through every struggle he believes that being a BE Modern Man is really about three principles: "Taking care of your family, being influential, and staying true to yourself." The BE Modern Man team salutes Cory Hardrict for finding strength in every challenge, and showing the world that if you stay true to yourself and work hard you can find success. We look forward to seeing Cory continue to prosper in his acting career and make an impact in his community. It's our normal to be extraordinary. Follow @blackenterprise and join the BE Modern Man conversation using #BEModernMan.