Interview with Ryan M. Perez

Hello Ryan! Tell us a little about yourself, please: where were you born, how old are you, when did you decide to become an actor? Where did you study? How did your journey into the world of acting begin?

— I grew up in Richmond, Virginia and February 28 was my 33rd birthday — feeling very geriatric. As a young kid, my father did an amazing job of curating and introducing me to so many amazing, classic films and television shows. I know it seems rather cliche, but there was a divine moment when I was around 8 years old watching “Back To The Future” that I knew acting was my calling. Having Virginia as my location for growing up and still being pre-internet, I knew it was a wild dream, but that for some reason I was put on this Earth for this creative endeavor. For a while, I thought I’d both act and direct and I pretty much started making films when camcorders were almost as big as tires and continued all the way through the collapse of music videos. I just felt so proud of trying, failing, learning, and repeating that cycle. Ultimately, this very process of trying and failing set me up for a lifelong journey of trying to master things that don’t come easy or natural to me.

Going back to the beginning acting wise, I started at a local theatre in RVA and I didn’t enjoy it much as it was quite musical theatre focused. My dad being a total rockstar found some acting camps in Los Angeles and in High School I would move to LA every summer and attend those. Never in a million years did I think a summer camp would change my life, but it did. Between being in Los Angeles and having some great teachers, for the first time I started to not only feel better at the craft, but also the dream started to feel possible. Moreover, I met some of my best friends at those camps and many people I’m still close with today. Shoutout Denzel Whitaker!

After getting confidence in my abilities I was doing every play at my high school and decided to apply to colleges to study theatre. I focused on USC, UCLA, and NYU acting and applied to each one. Because of spending so much time in Los Angeles, I thought I’d go to an LA school without question. When the colleges let me know their decisions, I managed to get into all 3 schools. I was confident that I was going to go to UCLA because they offered me some scholarship, but the night before I had to let each school know where I was going, I decided to do something that I never do and go somewhere I didn’t feel comfortable — NYC. Most of my life I always did the safe choice and having had a chance to see some amazing Broadway plays when I came to NYC to audition for NYU (listen to the Rufus Sewell “An Actor Despairs” interview for more on this), I chose NYU at the very final possible second. And I’m still here 15 years later

While I was at NYU, my best friend died so after 2 years of school I decided to drop out. I had some friends in various rock bands that were kind enough to invite me to come on tour. So for almost exactly the next 2.5 years I toured with rock bands as a merch guy. I think being on the road for so long and talking to so many people helped my find my voice and my confidence in ways I never would of expected. At the end, the last band I was touring with broke up and I was kind of at a loss of what to do because I wasn’t trying to spend my life on the road.

I knew it was time I had to focus back on my dream and not be a part someone else’s. I actually had to reapply to NYU acting and I got back in and decided to finish. However, after graduating, I managed to get caught in the vicious cycle of addiction and even though I was sort of attempting to do things for my acting career, my focus was sadly always on having a good time. As addiction started taking me to darker and darker corners of the world, at the very end of 2016 I finally threw in the towel and quit. If I didn’t quit, I wasn’t going to be alive much longer. I was dying and everyone around me saw it, but it took me finally accepting it. I knew what strong dreams I had and how they had become so weighted down by both addiction and life that they only shot I had at ever achieving them was without the booze/drugs. It wasn’t easy and still isn’t, but it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. At last, the acting journey, with a clear sober mind and immense focus, started in 2017. Obviously, it’s not easy and I had so many close calls to things I wanted. Right as I was at what I thought was my apex of auditioning and about to book, the pandemic happened. I was so devastated and wasn’t sure what to do, so I started doing a lot of episodes of “An Actor Despairs.” Around 2022 as things started to “normal out,” I got back into a good rhythm of auditioning and finally started to become a working actor. And here I am today still fighting the fight for the next audition/role.

Which projects from your filmography do you remember the most?

— I remember every project well because when you’re starting out most actors don’t get to some divine network or union job — those didn’t come for years. Starting out, You are paying your dues and often working for free. Even when it wasn’t a paying job that was going to get me representation, I just tried to learn from everyone behind and in front of the camera to become the best actor possible and most importantly a good guy that made everyone’s job easy on a set.

When I finally started doing network and steaming shows, I had so much gratitude and always walked around on set everyday knowing how lucky I was/am. Especially considering the darkness I escaped to get here. Moreover, you never know when the next audition will come in, so I do my best to savor every major set experience.

If you could play any existing character, which one would you like to choose and why?

— There so many answers to this question and it’s tough for me cause so many of the roles I love, I love because of how amazing the actor who was cast did. I know there’s a film out now, but I’ve always wanted to play Edgar Allan Poe and explore his life. My version would be much more of a biopic.

Are there any future projects you're already involved in? Could you tell us something about them?

— I have an episode of “FBI” airing very soon. It was so much fun to shoot and I’m so grateful to Jonathan Strauss and Dick Wolf for inviting me into their world again — they are the best.

Up next, I’ve got a few scenes on a episode of a show on HBO that I can’t name, but I’m very excited about that.

I’ve also got a horror/thriller movie coming out sometime later this year with the wonderful Gina Gershon.

You have your own podcast An Actor Despairs. When did you get the idea of it? Could you tell us about the concept of your project?

— I always had the idea for it and unfortunately I was too scared and lazy to act on it sooner. Finally one day in 2019 I was in Los Angeles with my best friend Denzel Whitaker and I asked him to be my first guest. We did it in his garage and had an amazing time. On the flight back home to NYC, I listened back to it multiple times to try and be objective if this podcast idea was really worth pursuing and I decided it was.

When I got back I started reaching out to friends of mine who are working actors and many were kind enough to say of course. I suppose the core idea was to celebrate actors/artists who work that don’t always get the praise that, in my opinion, they should. The goal of the podcast was to hear how people who are making a living in this business while doing amazing work got their start and talk about some of the special projects they did from their filmography along the way. And, most importantly, to pass on some wisdom to those in the trenches still trying to break though like myself.

Before I knew it, I started having actors’ reps I didn’t know contact me and pitch me actors. I also started emailing people I didn’t personally know, but thought would be a great fit for the show. There was a lot of no’s and just like in my acting career I did my best to not let the nos get me down and kept plugging along. As I started getting bigger and bigger guests, the show grew and I started to have agency in deciding who I wanted to interview.

How often are new podcast episodes released?

— It now varies based upon my schedule and when I can do an episode. But I try to release at least one a month. I used to do much more as I mentioned during the pandemic, but I’m not at all trying to be a career host and it was hurting my acting career doing so many cause I was so far too busy researching and prepping for interviews it took the focus away from auditions at times. Now auditions keep me busy when they come in and I make sure I can always give them my full attention. And when I have free time, I try to find an a talent that I enjoy and think my audience might as well for the podcast.

Which guests on your podcast made the biggest furore among listeners?

— There’s been so many, but I’d say Rufus Sewell, Jason Isaacs, Daisy Edgar Jones, Paul Mescal, Antony Starr, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Luke Thompson, Shea Whigham, and Kit Connor are some among of the most popular or some I’m told.

Could you tell us who will be your new guest? Or is that a secret for the audience?

— I always like to keep it a secret unless I can let my audience know ahead of time to see if there’s any questions they want answered.

What do you like doing in your free time? Do you have any hobbies?

— Most of my free time is spent at the gym. Fitness is a huge part of my life after I quit drinking. I wish I could spend all day at the gym. Being there is always the highlight of my day.

Do you have some certain rules in your life that you always try to follow?

— Be of service to others and ALWAYS pay it forward.

Your favorite movie?

— Too many to name, but I will say the first time I saw “A Clockwork Orange,” my conception of what cinema was/is and can be changed forever.

Favorite TV series?

— “The Wire” changed my life and also my concept of scale and depth in an episodic narrative.

Favorite book?

— Also too many to name, but since we’re talking about the business I’ll choose “Rebel without a Crew.” It taught me very early I’d need to be self-reliant to make it in this business.

Your favorite quote?

— “The true testament of individual is how they treat those who can do absolutely nothing for them.”

“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery—isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.” — Charles Bukowski.

Your favorite coffee?

— “Cold Brew” with 4 stevia, sometimes a red eye when I’m feeling the need for speed.

Your favorite singer/band?

— Too many to name, but lately I’m obsessed with Idles and all of their creative output. They put on one of the best live shows I’ve been to in years. I’m also loving my friends projects Creature of Doom and Hornsbee.

Your favorite song?

— I have a 100 of these, but currently according to my Spotify it’s “Mr. Motivator” by Idles.

Favorite season?

— Summer. I do not handle winter or the cold well at all. I wish I could live in permanent summer.

What's your Hogwarts House?

— Slytherin.