Disgraced attorney Gassaway trying to make it as an actor

Mike Gassaway is no stranger to an audience. But after years of pleading his cases to judges and juries across Oklahoma, Gassaway is starting over as an actor in Texas.

Gassaway, who lost his license to practice law last month, has been going to auditions for commercials and other roles around Austin, but he hasn't gotten many jobs, his agent told The Oklahoman.

Acclaim Talent has high hopes for Gassaway, who agent Lupe Valdez said has a "great commercial look.”

"We're pretty excited about him,” Valdez said.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court stripped Gassaway of his law license June 17 after finding he had violated the rules of professional conduct at least six times since 2002.

The normally talkative Gassaway did not return calls from The Oklahoman after the court's ruling.

He declined an interview request Wednesday through attorney Billy Bock, who said Gassaway has been keeping busy since he was disbarred.

"He's landing on is feet and pursuing all of his opportunities,” Bock said. "He's got several opportunities out there. Certainly acting is one of them.”

Gassaway has some experience in that arena already.

He appeared on the NBC football drama "Friday Night Lights” last fall in a nonspeaking part as a college football official.

His resume on Acclaim's Web site lists several movie roles, including a part in "W,” Oliver Stone's upcoming biopic about President Bush. Gassaway will play