Jon Stojan
Image credit: Sarah Carson
The 21st century is defined by constant advancements, corporate races, and the everlasting chase for simple pleasures that seem so out of reach. It’s a place where business dynamics, financial responsibilities, and societal expectations cloud what truly matters, taming unbridled self-expression. This is a world of unfulfillment and shattered big dreams. But not for Sarah Carson, an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, and – an adventure she started in her sterling years – a passionate actress dedicated to filling on-screen representation gaps.
In just over a decade, Sarah entrenched her name in the film and TV industry, securing starring and supporting roles in award-winning and loved productions. From her first appearance in The Married Life(2014, dir. Christina Birdsall) to playing the lead in Hallucinations (2021, dir. Michael Wild) and The Deceased Won’t Desist! (2021, dir. Mark Pirro), this inspiring woman found joy in every persona she emulated.
Before taking that leap of faith in 2013, Sarah had been an executive, a business owner, and a private investigator, thoroughly enjoying a vibrant, thriving career. Born and raised on a small farm in Iowa, she has always recognized the importance of education. Her father with a PhD, and her mother one of the few women born in the 1910s with a BA, Sarah carved a path illuminated by her parents’ success. A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Bryn Mawr College and one of the first women to ever obtain an MBA from Harvard and Harvard Business School, Sarah has always defied the hems of possibility.
Without even knowing, she has been a role model for those around her, inspiring others to dream big and follow their hearts. Years after leaving Iowa, Sarah received a message from two sisters – accomplished women at the time – who lived across the street on an adjoined farm, thanking her for instilling in them the drive to reach higher. “They had both gone to college, one finding purpose as a teacher, the other achieving success as a programmer,” recalls Sarah. “They grew up in the same environment as me, so I understood exactly how much it meant to them. It meant even more to me, knowing that I was part of their journey.”
Maturing illuminated the queries permeating Sarah’s mind, helping her understand why, even without trying, her presence felt like a bright light inspiring others to be the best versions of themselves. The secret is her innate sense of belonging. Even when working in foreign Scandinavia, dealing with the inherent protests of a young woman managing experienced men, she felt at ease.
Her career also included work for the world’s most renowned bank institutions and capital investment experiences, with Sarah relentlessly upping the corporate ladder. When her father attempted to commit suicide, the world flipped upside down, and Sarah realized just how much she loathed the office life. At that moment, she shut the corporate door, never walking through it again.
One day in her in-between stage of figuring out her next steps, Sarah came across a newspaper ad for the Nick Harris Detective Academy. For this avid enthusiast of mystery and crime novels, it felt like a sign, a higher calling that exalted at the right time. “You would be the perfect undercover agent because no one would ever expect it” were the first words Sarah heard from the academy’s principal, dedicating her time, effort, and attention to obtaining a license for the state of California, and, a few years later, for New York.
Since 1998, Sarah’s inquisitive mind and fresh perspective have allowed her to excel at the job. These are also the qualities that propelled her into acting, with that endeavor officially starting in June 2013.
When this investigator-entrepreneur-actress realized she was approaching the age her mother passed away, reflecting led her to one question – What do I want to do for the rest of my life that I’m not doing now? – that was answered at a local alumnae event, where a woman who introduced herself as an actress encouraged Sarah to choose the same path.
“She said, ‘They like your look, and, in your age bracket, the competition is smaller,” recalls Sarah. “At the time, I found her remarks funny. But something about what she said stuck in my mind.” Without brooding over it for too long, Sarah enrolled in dramatic scene and comedy acting studies and audition and improv training, took some fabulous headshots, recorded demo reels, hired an agent and manager, and started writing and producing her own projects, quickly becoming SAG-eligible.
No matter how fulfilling, this acting affair hasn’t been without its own set of challenges, most of which stem from the persistent lack of on-screen representation. Research paints a clear picture, showcasing that, among TV characters, only 6.6% were people in their sunset years. Even among them, tropes and harmful stereotypes prevailed, often portraying the elderly as despondent, impaired, vulnerable, or grumpy.
Through all the ups and downs, this passionate actress remained positive, inspired by a childhood memory she cherishes to this day. When Sarah was a young girl, her mother signed her into a book club called Great Women in History. There, immersed in the empowering stories of influential, creative, kind, and innovative women, Sarah discovered a new level of confidence, knowing that, whatever adventure she embarked on, she would be unstoppable.
Today, she remains inspired by the young people she works with and is open-minded to cutting-edge advancements. A woman of maturity, she doesn’t fear but embraces technological developments, believing that AI will democratize the space and elevate people’s storytelling. “Happiness is all about evolving. Whether it’s my own life or the world around me, I know that change is good,” she shares.
The story of Sarah Carson is one of bravery, authenticity, and dreams coming true – not because of luck but because of taking action without knowing the outcome. For her, success isn’t measured by fame or money; it’s represented by the amount of joy and love one has in their heart, and this remarkable actress has heaps of both. As she promises to continue indulging in her glamorous life with two rescue dogs, four cats, and a bright mind by her side, Sarah shares invaluable advice for the confused, lost, and scared:
Everybody’s different, and what truly matters is doing what makes you feel alive. Only you know if your dream is to have a loving family, travel the world, live in a cottage by the sea, thrive amidst corporate skyscrapers, or have it all at the same time. Just the other day, a young woman approached me at a train station, asking about the secret behind my ‘youthful aura.’ The thing is, there is no secret; you just find something you love (preferably something that will inspire others), and you do it properly. Not for others – for yourself, giving it your whole heart at all times.