Steve Way, best known for his role in the Ramy Youssef series “Ramy,” is candid about the obstacles he faces as a disabled actor navigating Hollywood without professional representation. The 35-year-old performer, who uses a motorized wheelchair and ventilator due to muscular dystrophy diagnosed in childhood, has spent years struggling to secure roles despite his extensive stand-up comedy background. Way’s frustration with the industry’s barriers is palpable but delivered with the sharp wit honed from 15 years performing comedy.
A turning point came when Way appeared on a WGA panel about caregiving alongside writer-producer Elizabeth Meriwether, creator of “New Girl” and “The Dropout.” During the discussion, Way jokingly mentioned his unemployment and openness to opportunities. Meriwether took his comments seriously and wrote a role expressly for him in her new Hulu series “Furious,” a romantic thriller where Way plays Alden, a disabled man who falls in love with a seemingly kind health aide secretly harboring dark secrets.
Way praises Meriwether for crafting a disabled character with depth and humor, one whose identity extends beyond his disability. The role allows Way to showcase both the emotional weight of mortality and the comedic timing that defines his performance style. Without agency representation, Way remains determined to work, expressing his desire for a team willing to aggressively promote his talent and advance his career in the industry.
Originally reported by Variety →
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