WORKING -- DEBBIE GRATTAN

SHE IS

The girl with the moneymaking larynx

ACTING BUG

Grattan has been an actress-performer for as long as she can remember.

As an adult, Grattan could not see herself doing anything else, so she

earned a bachelor’s degree in drama from the UC Irvine. For the last 15

years, the Fountain Valley resident has performed regularly in theaters

around Orange County, including two shows at the South Coast Repertory

Theatre.

NEW DIRECTION

Seven years ago, her career direction changed unexpectedly when her

agent booked her for a voice-over job. The transition was so natural she

continued doing voice-overs intermittently for the next couple of years.

For the last five years, she has spent about 80% of her working time

doing voice-overs, although she also continues to work in front of the

camera.

Grattan, who is in her 30s, said she has found that most voice-over

jobs go to men. Although it has changed a lot in recent years, it is

still male-oriented, she said.

“There is more of an option for employers to hire women because

advertisers and clients are realizing a huge percentage of their customer

base are women,” Grattan said.

IN STRIDE

Grattan, who is the voice behind many radio and television

commercials, as well as the voice announcing some of the parades at

Disneyland, said her job never gets boring. She has adopted “a take it as

it comes” philosophy, which seems to work for her.

“I love the fact that it’s constantly changing,” Grattan said. “I

don’t have regular hours and that keeps things fresh.”

Grattan said her occupation can be day to day, yet she doesn’t suffer

from a huge degree of job insecurity.

“Sometimes I’m fully booked for long periods, and other times I could

have only had one job during the week,” Grattan said. “But I have built

up enough of a client base over the years to feel comfortable.”

THE UPKEEP

Grattan said there is a side of her job that she doesn’t relish. The

long hours definitely rank low on the fun scale as far as she is

concerned.

“The most challenging thing is trying to maintain the business side of

things,” Grattan said. “I’m a one-woman show. I’m the talent, I’m the

bookkeeper, I’m public relations, I’m the accountant, and sometimes I’m

even the collections department.”

BOTTOM LINE

Grattan has been in the entertainment field long enough to know what

her job well, and she approaches it in a humble manner. “A lot of what

this work is about,” she said, “is how easy you can make everybody else’s

job.”SI-- Story by Torus Tammer; photo by XXXXX