Fewer acting opportunities have prompted Asia Kate Dillon, the nonbinary actor known for playing Taylor Mason in the Showtime drama Billions, to seek employment in the service industry. In an Instagram post published October 20, Dillon shared their résumé and explained that work has become increasingly scarce for transgender and nonbinary performers.
Dillon stated that they had worked in food service since age 15 before transitioning to full-time acting approximately a decade ago. Their latest appeal reflects a return to an industry where they previously gained extensive experience, ranging from dishwasher to floor manager and food runner.
A Return to the Service Industry After Eleven Years
Before achieving widespread recognition in television and film, Dillon spent years balancing food service jobs with acting gigs. Their first job in food service began at age 15 at the Ithaca Bakery, where duties included sorting bagels, stocking drink fridges, maintaining coffee stations, and cleaning dining areas.
In their social media statement, Dillon detailed their employment history: “When I was fifteen, I got my first job in food service… I continued working in food and general customer service, alongside any acting gigs I could rustle up, until the fall of 2015 when I was finally able to make the transition to a full time income stemming from just my acting work. I have worked exclusively in theater, film and TV for the last eleven years.”
Now, however, the landscape has shifted. Describing the employment difficulties facing performers in similar circumstances, Dillon wrote, “Now, like for many, many performer colleagues of mine – particularly those of us who are trans/nonbinary/gender nonconforming – acting work has all but diminished, and I’m in need of service work once more.”
Groundbreaking Career and Industry-Wide Challenges
Dillon’s career features numerous milestone achievements. They appeared in single episodes of series such as Younger and Master of None before landing a recurring role as Brandy Epps in Orange Is the New Black. In 2017, Dillon made history by securing the role of Taylor Mason on Showtime’s Billions, becoming the first nonbinary main character to appear on a North American television series. Their television and film credits also include John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, The Outside Story, and Gen:Lock.
Beyond their performances, Dillon has been an outspoken advocate for structural changes in Hollywood. In 2020, they called on the SAG Awards to abolish gender-specific acting categories, arguing that separating performers based on assigned or gender identity constitutes a form of discrimination.
Dillon’s recent announcement highlights a wider trend affecting trans and nonbinary artists. Entertainment industry observers have noted a contraction in casting opportunities for transgender talent following the period media outlets termed “The Transgender Tipping Point” in the mid-2010s. Several prominent actors from that era, including Laverne Cox and Trace Lysette, alongside newer talent, have publicly addressed the growing hurdles to maintaining consistent employment and health insurance eligibility within the profession.
Availability and Reentry into Customer Service
Despite the setback in acting work, Dillon expressed enthusiasm for returning to hospitality and customer-facing roles. They emphasized their passion for creating welcoming environments and working collaboratively with others.
- Available Positions: Part-time, night, and weekend shifts
- Past Experience: Dishwasher, food runner, floor manager, customer service
- Technical Readiness: Eager to learn modern point-of-sale (POS) systems quickly
“I love customer service. I love creating welcoming environments for people to relax in and connect with each other. I love food and drink,” Dillon wrote. “I am passionate and curious, and a great teammate. I imagine the hurdle to reentry will be learning the new POS systems, but I’m a quick study.”
