As a child growing up in the U.K., Mitchell always knew he wanted to be an actor. But because his family couldn't afford to send him to drama school, he instead worked "part-time at a restaurant and in customer service at a local soccer club" and attended vocational school to study design and technology. His second try proved more successful and the experience in the drama group helped him score a part in 2015's short film "Fire". Without formal drama school training, Mitchell looks at every project he gets as an "opportunity" to improve his process. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

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Persons: he's, Ewan Mitchell didn't, he'd, Mitchell, didn't Organizations: New York Times, The Television, Times, CNBC Locations: Nottingham, London