Danny Woodburn on Good Day DC talking about disability rights
Credit: Image: Good Day DC

Actor and activist on Capitol Hill for disability awareness.

Danny Woodburn is well known for recurring on Seinfeld as Kramer’s friend Mickey, as well as The Bold and the Beautiful as Ken the IT guy who has done Bill Spencer’s (Don Diamont) illegal bidding from time to time. He also played a demon elf on Passions from 2007 – 2008 and has appeared in numerous other TV series. But the actor is also an activist who appeared on Good Day DC with host Holly Morris on September 26 to discuss disability rights. Soaps.com is happy to share Woodburn’s video of his interview along with his empowering message.

The activist’s appearance occurred before an awards dinner with the National Organization of Disability. As Woodburn explained, the organization will award 59 companies that have displayed exceptional hiring and employment practices in regards to people with disabilities. “Events like this are very important,” he said, “because when we talk about diversity and inclusion, oftentimes we leave out disability in that discussion.”

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Woodburn recalled being a self-advocate early in his career as he tried to avoid parts he felt were derogatory or dehumanizing. Woodburn described an absurd belief system that little people have “some sort of sexual deviance” that has led to him being asked at least three times in a scene or audition to bite someone on the butt. “That’s never happened in my career, I can safely say,” Woodburn declared. “Now I’ve actually put it in my contract – there will be no biting on the butt.”

When asked if seeing more little people on TV, reality TV specifically, has helped or hindered them, Woodburn replied that it’s great to see more inclusion for people with disabilities. However, the reality is the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is around 67%. In the entertainment industry, it hovers above 95%. Woodburn gave a nod to the Ruderman Family Foundation, with whom he works, as leading the cause in Hollywood to “change the landscape for people with disabilities on screen.” Their market research has shown that the majority of viewers want to see characters with disabilities portrayed by actors with disabilities.

At the end of the interview, Woodburn gave Morris a list of companies to read that were being recognized for their hiring practices of people with disabilities. They included Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Northrup Corporation, Lockheed Martin and Capital One.

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