Ivan Sergei

Taking the Dare to Share

From the moment of its inception in 2002, actor Ivan Sergei jumped on board to help the charity Dare to Share succeed. It was his mother, Francine Boudewijn, who founded Dare to Share in tiny Braselton, Georgia, as a nonprofit designed to support other charities - especially ones dedicated to helping children. It may seem surprising that a town as mall and tucked away as Braselton, with a population of just 6.000 or so and located 50 mile north- east of Atlanta could be the launching pad for a national charity-but it was.

As the maxim states, "Where there's a will there's a way.” Boudewijn had the will, and many friends and family members, Sergei in particular, have helped her find the way.

In fact, Dare To Share has been able to donate $ l million to children's charities, according to Sergei. Smile Train, a charity dedicated to fixing cleft palate for children in developing countries, is a favorite.

"It's really an amazing thing to raise 1 million," Sergei says, obviously proud of what his mother has accomplished. "All the hard work is done by her," he adds.

Sergei, although modest about his role, is a board member and has been instrumental in Dare to Share's fund-raising efforts. Every year, he has gathered up Hollywood celebrities and auction items for a pilgrimage to Braselton to bring pizzazz to its annual fundraiser gala. We try to make these big events," he says. Sergei's efforts have translated into numerous donations, helping create a growing and vital charity.

Earlier this year, Dare To Share expanded its operations by moving its headquarters, along with Boudewijn, to Los Angeles. The move will help deepen its ties with the stars who have been supportive of Dare To Share, as well as allow it to broaden its outreach efforts even further.

It's a change that Sergei is particularly excited about. "I'll be able to do a lot more now that we're expanding operations to California." he says. "There's so much more access to people with money here and people who can recognize the need for [a charity like this].

"When people recognize someone from film or TV, it brings something special to the whole event." Sergei notes. He makes those all-important connections with celebrities while pursuing his other main passion in life: acting.

He has appeared in many hit shows and films, including Crossing Jordan, Charmed, The Break-Up and The Opposite of Sex. Most recently, he has taken on the complex role of playing a suicide survivor in Gravity, a half-hour dramatic comedy that premiered this past April on the Starz network. Gravity follows the "sometimes comic, sometimes tragic exploits of a group from an eccentric outpatient program of suicide survivors." Sergei explains. He stars opposite Krysten Ritter, who plays his love interest.

"It's really a touching and funny show. It's about starting your life over and realizing what's great about your life."

Even without such a lesson, Sergei's zest for living is deeply ingrained. Born in New Jersey in 1971, Sergei began his acting career in 1993. Since then, he has enjoyed a steady trajectory for his work and success. He attributes his start to watching Max Dugan Returns as a kid and realizing that actors get to have a lot of fun.

"I always felt like I was going to be able to do this in some way," he reflects. Fast forward to today and Sergei can look back and say that he's living his dream. '"I get to do all that fun stuff. That creativity is just exciting to me,” he shares. "It's a great way to make a living."

But Sergei doesn't limit his creative pursuits to acting. He has also worked behind the camera, having written, directed and edited several short films and reels. His broad range of interest also includes painting, photography and animals. He loves dogs especially, and looks forward to spending time with his own two, a golden retriever and a Lab/border collie mix.

At 38, Sergei has orchestrated a rich, full life for himself-one that's deeply invested in artistic and philanthropic pursuits.

"There's so many different things to spread your time and attention to - I do what I can." he says, confessing that he doesn't usually think too far into the future.

"I’m pretty happy with where I'm at. And, of course, [I plan to] continue with the charity -make it an empire."

- Sandra J. Payne
Photography – ANDREW STILES
FACES of PHILANTROPHY
CELEB LIFE / FALL 2010