About The Show

A weekly working-actor-lifestyle podcast.

Hollywood Close-Up, hosted by actors Natalie Lipka and Wayne Frazier is an audio podcast that focuses on creating your own career in the entertainment industry. On the show, Natalie and Wayne discuss the latest in the entertainment world and trending topics in social media, and provide insight to those pursuing a career in “the biz.” Each episode includes a close-up interview with one of Hollywood’s finest working actors, directors, producers, writers and other industry professionals.

Past interviews include: Steve Tom and Rachel Melvin (Dumb and Dumber To), Golden Globe winner Sally Kirkland (Anna), Gary Anthony Williams (“Whose Line Is It Anyway”), Michaela Watkins (“Benched”), Robert B. Martin, Jr. (Digital Dogs Casting), Risa Bramon Garcia (“Masters of Sex”), Oscar nominee Bob Nelson (Nebraska), Bill Daly (“Mike & Molly”), Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon), Judy Kerr (Acting is Everything), Bonnie Gillespie (Self-Management For Actors), Bill Ratner (“G.I. Joe”), Deborah Mellman (Mindful Media Group) and even“Weird Al” Yankovic, just to name a few.

“This is the perfect show for any person who aspires to move to Los Angeles and work in the entertainment industry…And it’s also a great listen for people who are already ‘living the dream.’ Wayne and Natalie are terrific!” –Katierose Donohue (“The Comeback,” “2 Broke Girls”)

“I love your show ‘Hollywood Close-Up’ and you guys always have the most interesting guests! From Gregg Daniel from ‘True Blood’ to comedian Richard Tanner, they all keep me tuned in to listen.” –Claudia A. Greene (senior publicist Mayhem Entertainment Public Relations)

“Natalie and Wayne are wonderful hosts. They ask great questions and truly understand the ins and outs of this business.” –Steve Tyler (Me Myself and Irene, “Desperate Housewives” )

“I just want 2 thank @NatalieandWayne 4 all of their love & support throughout the years! U guys are truly THE BEST!” –Aida Abramyan (via Twitter – Entertainment Publicist at Rogers & Cowan)

“Your podcast makes me happy…You guys are sweet, you guys are funny. I love the fact that you guys have a great sense of humor. You make this show so awesome. I really genuinely enjoyed this interview!” –Max Amini (“Mind of Mencia,” “Heroes”)

Natalie Lipka

Visit her IMDb page.

“You have style, and you can quote me on that.”

~Golden Globe and Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern

Natalie Lipka is an actor, writer, producer and host living in Los Angeles, CA. Her credits include CBS’ “Criminal Minds” and Comedy Central’s “Kroll Show.” Natalie’s starred in numerous indie films including the award-winning short, Disconnected and Ithaca: No Control. Natalie has an improvisational and sketch comedy background and has trained at The Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade. Over the years she has performed sketch comedy in many Los Angeles venues, including the Hollywood Improv, The Viper Room and The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club. She expanded her craft when she co-wrote, co-produced and starred in the comedic short film Team Apparition with her partner in crime, Wayne Frazier. Currently, the two host Hollywood Close-Up, a podcast that focuses on creating your own career in the entertainment industry.

Before heading west to Los Angeles (via Savannah, GA), Natalie received her degree from Rider University, where she majored in theater and elementary education and minored in dance. Natalie experienced for the first time what it felt like to truly have an impact on an audience when she was given the opportunity to play Romaine Patterson and Aaron Kreifels in “The Laramie Project.” To this day she holds this play very close to her heart.

Originally from New Jersey, Natalie started performing at the young age of 3 when her mother took her to Polish dance class. Her Grandmom, who was a singer and a dancer, has been a huge inspiration in her journey and in pursuing this career. She always told her, “There is no better gift you can give than to share your talents with others.”

Wayne Frazier

Visit his IMDb page.

“Wayne is one guy who deserves a real shot at success.”

~Steve Tom (Dumb and Dumber To, “The Spoils of Babylon”)

Wayne Frazier is an actor, host, writer, and producer living in Los Angeles, CA. Most recently he performed two voices on the video game FALLOUT 4. He’s appeared in Amazon’s “Transparent,” Comedy Central’s “Kroll Show” and Ithaca’s music video Ithaca: No Control. He studies at Keep it Real Acting and has trained in improvisation at The Groundlings and the Upright Citizens Brigade. After a couple of years in LA, Wayne met New Jersey-born actress Natalie Lipka and they clicked from the get-go. Together they wrote, produced and starred in the short comedy film, Team Apparition, about a group of dysfunctional ghost hunters. Since then, they have worked on several projects together and created Hollywood Close-Up, a weekly podcast in which they interview one of Hollywood’s finest working actors, directors, producers, writers and other industry professionals.

Before making the move to LA, Wayne graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Mass Communications. After graduation, he started doing stand-up at Zanies Comedy Club and acted in several music videos for Toby Keith, Garth Brooks and Pam Tillis. Wayne starred in Sawyer Brown’s music video “This Time,” which finished in CMT’s top ten country videos of the year! He has quite an impressive list of commercials for restaurants such as Tumbleweeds, Western Sizzlin, Red Lobster and Popeyes. Wayne also had the pleasure of working with icons Tom Skerritt, Faye Dunaway and Lauren Holly in the film Changing Hearts.

Wayne grew up in the outskirts of Boston, MA. He performed in his first talent show at the age of six doing comedy impersonations and had the faculty and students at the John F. Kennedy grade school in stitches (that’s how he recalls it, anyway). It wasn’t all acting at an early age as Wayne played soccer and baseball. It was virtually impossible for him to grow up in Boston without becoming a huge fan of New England sports. To this day, Wayne uses the disciplines athletes acquire through hard work and dedication as a guideline to how he approaches the entertainment business.