Mike Estes interview: Dangerous Entertainment’s Jack of All Trades

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WESTWOOD VILLAGE, CA – APRIL 03: Actors Mike Estes (L) and Cerina Vincent attend the Los Angeles premiere of Disneynature’s BORN IN CHINA at the Billy Wilder Theater at The Hammer Museum in Westwood, CA on Monday, APRIL 3, 2017. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) /

A Groovy Association

1428 Elm: You have been working with Bruce Campbell for years now. When did the two of you first meet?

Mike Estes: While I was managing Mental Records, Bruce rented space from Landmine Productions and used the facility as sort of an HQ for My Name Is Bruce.

So, I auditioned for his movie. Prior to that, I had met him once or twice before but we didn’t really know each other. I ended up getting the part of Fan #2.

Bruce and I became very good friends. He’s family and a huge mentor of mine as well. That was my entry into the film business.

I started working for him after the film as his personal assistant. As you know, the music industry sort of took a nosedive and independent music was the first to take the hit. I needed to continue in this world so I hit Bruce up and we started talking.

One thing led to another and he was going to Miami for Burn Notice so I got to learn the bigger picture with television. Through their assistant stunt coordinator, I got involved in a couple of episodes so one thing led to another. Work begets work, you know?

1428 Elm: What was your first impression of him? Some individuals find him to be an intimidating character.

Mike Estes: He’s the most genuine person that I have ever met. In real life, he’s a stand-up guy. I have nothing but respect for Bruce, always have and always will. He’s a great guy and a dear friend and mentor.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 10: Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi attend STARZ’ Ash vs Evil Dead At New York Comic Con at Jacob Javits Center on October 10, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for STARZ) /

Dangerous Beginnings

1428 Elm: You are the owner of Dangerous Entertainment which represents talent for conventions. In addition to Bruce Campbell, your client list also includes Ted Raimi, Cerina Vincent, Rose McGowan, Jim Belushi, Sam Raimi, Lee Majors and Virginia Madsen. That is an impressive roster. Tell us how you became involved in this type of venture.

Mike Estes: I learned the convention world through my association with Bruce from the inside. I got to know all the promoters as his right-hand man. Doing that for ten years, it made sense for me to do it at another level because I had all these contacts.

So, Ted and I were talking one day and we decided that I should just start representing him. He was my first client. One client leads to another…you lose clients and you gain clients.

At one point, I had 40 clients. There is only one of me and I could honestly, not dedicate that much time to a roster of that size while doing my stunt work and other activities. Now, I just have core people.

It’s a no brainer that Cerina is there. Then Virginia is a mutual friend, Jim lives in Medford. Sam was a slam dunk with Bruce and Ted…the Evil Dead world, the Shemps.

1428 Elm: Sam Raimi was quite the coup considering he is extremely elusive. Did you have to convince him to come onboard?

Mike Estes: He’s on set more than most. I have known Sam for a while because of my friendship with Bruce but I sent him a rundown of what conventions entail in terms of obligations and what shows are out there and how many of them.

He was interested. The first show we did was Texas Frightmare which is great, by the way. Sam went and loved it. He got to see a different side of his life’s work and how many people he’s touched. I think that touched him.