Life is full of surprises, and one unexpected moment changed the trajectory of David Tolley’s life. On December 19, 1985, he was a member of the studio audience for Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show when the unexpected occurred. Carson revealed that the intended guest, Horatio Gutierrez, a classical pianist, had damaged his hand and would be unable to perform. Carson wondered if anyone in the audience could play the piano without missing a beat.
Tolley’s phone started ringing off the hook the day following the event. He received phone calls from people offering him jobs on cruise ships, movie acting roles, and other opportunities. A accidental encounter on a late-night talk show had irrevocably altered his life. The story of Tolley’s unexpected success serves as a reminder that we never know what opportunities or challenges may come our way in life, and it’s critical to be ready to seize them when they do.