How a Chicago-Area Bartender Turned HR Pro Found Her Role in Acting
Bobbie Mangini didn’t take a straight road to the spotlight. Her journey has zigzagged through HR offices, behind bar counters, and across charity food pantries. But today, she’s walking into auditions in Los Angeles, armed with experience, grit, and faith.
“I’ve had over 50 auditions in a row where I didn’t book a single thing,” she says. “Then suddenly, things started to land. I didn’t give up.”
That persistence defines Mangini’s work ethic—and her late-career rise in the world of acting and modeling.
Early Life in Illinois: Sports, Moves, and a Head Start
Born Roberta Lynn Mangini on December 18, 1970, Bobbie was raised in Medinah, Illinois. She was one of six siblings and the only one to excel in sports.
“I was the fifth child. My dad named me after himself—Robert. But no one ever called me Roberta. I was Bobbie from day one.”
She played travel softball, did gymnastics, and was a cheerleader. That drive helped her graduate early from Barrington High School in 1988. In January 1989 I started college at Harper and later transferred to DePaul University. By 1994, she had earned two bachelor’s degrees—one in Sociology and the other in Anthropology, with minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
Career Detour: HR, Bartending, and Raising Kids
Bobbie didn’t head straight into acting after college. Life took a different turn when she got pregnant and put law school on hold.
To support her growing family, she took practical jobs—first in Human Resources, then as a bartender and waitress.
“It was good money and fewer hours,” she says of bartending. “It gave me more time with my kids.”
She juggled work and parenting as a single mom. Acting would have to wait. “I had to take a step back to raise my two children. But the passion never left.”
The Return to Acting: Training and Real Rejection
By 1998, Bobbie was ready. She started training at Act One Studio in Chicago, then continued at Acting Studio Chicago for another two years. She slowly built her skills and reel, working on small projects before life demanded another pause.
Years later, with her children grown, she began splitting time between Illinois and Los Angeles. She took a leap many hesitate to try in their 50s.
“People say you’re too old, too tall, not the right look. You hear a lot of ‘no,’” she explains. “I learned not to take anything personally.”
Bobbie currently trains with Sean Kanan, a veteran actor known for The Bold and the Beautiful and Karate Kid III. “He doesn’t go easy on me, which is good. He gives great constructive criticism and pushes me to go bigger with my characters.”
Why Rejection Didn’t Win: Lessons from 50 Failed Auditions
Bobbie measures success differently than most. “Success to me isn’t about money or where you live. It’s about serving others.”
That belief shows up in her attitude toward rejection. After countless auditions with no callbacks, she pushed harder.
“I booked roles after those 50 failures. You just have to keep showing up.”
Her story is a reminder that momentum often comes after a long stretch of stillness. The key is persistence.
Volunteer Roots: From Operation Santa to Food Pantries
Bobbie’s leadership doesn’t just show up on set. It’s front and center in her community service.
In 2017, she volunteered with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign. From 2018 to 2022, she volunteered with FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville, Illinois. She joined their board of trustees and even launched Operation Santa, a toy drive that brings gifts to hundreds of kids every Christmas.
“This December will be our seventh year,” she says proudly. “We partner with businesses to display tags. People pick a tag, buy a gift, and bring it back unwrapped. It’s for kids ages 0 to 16.”
She’s also flown to San Francisco every year since 2022 to support her daughter’s event, redHOT for Change, which raises money for La Casa de las Madres, a shelter for battered women.
Faith, Balance, and What Keeps Her Going
Bobbie credits her faith for her strength and motivation. “My love for God and my faith in Jesus Christ push me forward. Scripture says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ That’s how I live.”
Her approach to life is simple but powerful: balance. She believes success only works when both purpose and passion are in place.
“As long as I’m doing both my passions—volunteering and acting—then I’m happy.”
Takeaways from Bobbie Mangini’s Story
Bobbie Mangini’s path shows that leadership doesn’t always come from corner offices or big-name roles. Sometimes, it comes from staying in the game, starting over, and serving others while chasing dreams.
She may not call herself a leader, but her actions speak loud.
“I just want to be a blessing to as many people as I can. We’re only here for a short time.”
And with every audition, food drive, and trip to LA, Bobbie is proving that it’s never too late to chase what matters.
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