An Actor Despairs

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An inside look at life in the television and film industry. Join your host Ryan Perez as he speaks with actors, directors, talent agents, casting directors, and more about how the industry works and how to not only survive but to thrive.

Ryan Perez


    • Dec 8, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 56m AVG DURATION
    • 213 EPISODES

    4.9 from 102 ratings Listeners of An Actor Despairs that love the show mention: ozark, perez, entertainment industry, ryan, actors, hustle, tom, artists, really interesting, bravo, allows, really great, enthusiasm, human, rather, hate, laughs, genuine, incredible, interviews.


    Ivy Insights

    The An Actor Despairs podcast provides a fascinating and insightful look into the Acting Industry. Despite its dark title, this show is filled with interesting information and interviews that are sure to captivate listeners. Even Antony Starr, known for his roles as Homelander from "The Boys" and Lucas Hood from "Banshee," recommends it, which speaks volumes about its quality. With each episode, the show only seems to get better, with host Ryan Perez skillfully coaxing his guests to open up about their unique experiences. His interviews with actors like Colman Domingo and Julian Kostov are excellent examples of the depth and authenticity of these conversations.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Ryan's ability to make his guests feel comfortable and at ease. His genuine passion for the art shines through in every episode, making it a joy to listen to. Whether you're an aspiring actor or simply a fan of TV shows and movies, there is something for everyone in this podcast. The behind-the-scenes stories shared by the actors provide valuable insights into the entertainment industry, and often lead to discovering new projects or gaining a deeper appreciation for familiar faces on screen.

    The worst aspect of this podcast is subjective since it largely depends on individual preferences. Some listeners might not be interested in the entertainment industry or may find the episodes too focused on acting-specific topics. However, even if you're not directly involved in "The Industry," there are still plenty of inspiring and interesting stories that can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates storytelling and personal journeys.

    In conclusion, The An Actor Despairs podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in the Acting Industry or those who simply enjoy hearing captivating stories from talented individuals. Ryan Perez's skill as an interviewer shines through as he effortlessly guides conversations with both established actors and rising stars. The diverse range of guests adds depth and variety to each episode, ensuring that no two conversations are alike. Whether you're an aspiring actor or someone who loves to learn about the behind-the-scenes aspects of the entertainment world, this podcast is sure to entertain and inspire.



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    Latest episodes from An Actor Despairs

    Brian Huskey

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 60:47


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Brian Huskey as they discuss how Brian got his start into acting later in life. moving to New York City, his work in the sketch comedy circuit, and building an incredible roster of film and television work! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dierdre Friel

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 49:30


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Dierdre Friel as they discuss her journey, various projects, teaching, her wonderful work in "PHYSICAL," and so much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ellen Rapoport

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2023 39:45


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Ellen Rapoport as they discuss her journey growing up, going to Ive League schools and discovering her interest in screenwriting, her journey selling various projects, the wild ride of creating and writing her show "Minx," and being able to survive an arduous transition of being one network only to be dropped and having to find another home all while finishing not only filming, but also production of the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sasha Lane

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 60:14


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Sasha Lane as they discuss her wild journey into landing her very first role in "American Honey," navigating the success of that film, having an amazing friend in Riley Keough who helped her understand the dynamics of the entertainment industry and encouraged her to continue pursuing an acting career, finding her voice, choosing film/tv projects that resonated with her, and her profound work in "The Crowded Room" with Tom Holland and Emmy Rossum out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Jon Voight

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2023 36:27


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and legendary guest Jon Voight as they discuss the beginnings of his journey, the various acting techniques and peers he connected with, and his new film "Mercy" with Jonathan Rhys Meyers via Paramount Content Distribution in Select Theaters May 12, On Digital May 19, and On Demand June 2, 2023. Also please check out an upcoming documentary film about his work in "Midnight Cowboy" DESPERATE SOULS, DARK CITY AND THE LEGEND OF MIDNIGHT COWBOY (Kino Lorber / Zeitgeist Films) – In Select Theaters June 23, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Chloe Van Landschoot

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 51:07


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Chloe Van Landschoot as they discuss her journey growing up, getting into dance, discovering acting later in life, become a nurse and then being thrust into the pandemic, falling in love with acting and landing auditions, Season 2 of her show "From" now on MGM+ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Darren Goldstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 58:22


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Darren Goldstein as they discuss Darren's journey into discovering acting later in life, going to NYU for his MFA, growing into roles, "The Affair," "Ozark," and upcoming project both Ryan and Darren worked on together! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Frida Gustavsson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 61:56


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Frida Gustavsson as they discuss her experience growing up in Sweden, being scouted at Ikea, taking off as a model in high fashion, leaving fashion behind and returning to her pursuit of acting, and finally landing the role of a lifetime as Freydis on Netflix's "Vikings: Valhalla." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Amar Chada-Patel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 55:11


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Amar Chada-Patel as they discuss his experience growing up, getting into fashion filmmaking and commercials, discovering acting later in life, and his new wonderful show "Willow" now streaming on Disney! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Kit Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 53:50


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Kit Young as they discuss growing up in the U.K., his journey into acting, working on the stage, and his new projects on Netflix "The School For Good And Evil" and "Shadow and Bone" Season 2! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mena Suvari

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 43:31


    Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Mena Suvari as they discuss Mena's journey into acting starting at a young age, what drew her to the script of American Beauty, how she loves as much info as possible when preparing for a role, and her newest film, The Accursed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lauren Lyle

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 58:58


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Lauren Lyle about how she got her start pursuing acting, getting agents and navigating auditions, landing three seasons of "Outlander," and her new show "Karen Pirie." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    Cameron Cowperthwaite

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2022 57:17


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Cameron Cowperthwaite as they discuss his journey growing up, discovering acting very late, making a sudden move to Los Angeles, and working with Ryan Murhphy on "AHS" and now on "Dahmer" streaming now on Netflix! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    netflix los angeles acast dahmer ahs ryan perez cowperthwaite
    Jay Chandrasekhar

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2022 88:40


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Jay Chanrasekhar as they discuss his experience growing up, getting into comedy, starting a sketch troupe in college, the origins of Broken Lizard, making "Supertroopers," navigating his career as an actor, writer, director, editor, comedian, and his new wonderful film "Easter Sunday." In addition, breaking down the utilization of his wonderful app Vouch Vault --please download it now from the app store!! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Pippa Bennett-Warner

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 54:59


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Pippa Bennett-Warner as they discuss how she got her start early in the U.K, navigating into acting as an adult, and her current projects "Chloe," "Gangs of London," and the upcoming film "See How They Run." Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

    James Scully

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 57:55


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest James Scully (Fire Island, You, 9-1-1, Quantico, Heathers) as they discuss James' process while filming his breakout roll in Fire Island, his acting beginnings in San Antonio, Texas, and James's opinion on playing a straight man. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Shea Whigham Part 2: 200 Episodes!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2022 52:53


    Join your host, Ryan Perez and guest Shea Whigham (Joker, Boardwalk Empire, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning) as they discuss Shea's process while filming during covid, his preparation methods for the role of “G. Gordon Liddy” on STARZ “Gaslit,” and working alongside Academy Award winning actress Julia Roberts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Laura Haddock

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2022 59:01


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Laura Haddock as they discuss her experience growing up, discovering her love for acting, going to drama school, starting to work and figuring out the nuances of being a working actor, and projects such as "Transformers." "White Lines," "Downtown Abbey: A New Era," and her desire to return to the stage! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Ana Nogueira

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 92:12


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Ana Nogueira as they discuss her journey as an actor and theatre major, moving to New York City and auditioning, becoming a writer while still acting, developing her first two plays and the workshopping, creating, and producing her new smash hit play "Which Way To The Stage," which we all need to help get to Broadway!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Fiona Glascott

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 64:38


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Fiona Glascott as they discuss her journey growing up Ireland, discovering her passion for theatre, moving to London to pursue her career further, and working in projects like "Fantastic Beasts," and "Julia" just to name a few!!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Kit Connor

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 63:34


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Kit Connor as they talk about Kit's experience into getting into a Saturday theatre school that changed his life, doing commercials, booking film/tv/theatre roles, and projects like "Rocketman," "His Dark Materials," and his new incredible show "Heartstopper" now streaming on Netflix!!!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Fola Evans-Akingbola

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2022 38:39


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Fola Evans-Akingbola as they discuss her journey into acting, working on projects like "Siren" and "Game of Thrones," and her brand new show "Ten Percent" now streaming! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Ophelia Lovibond

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2022 48:13


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Ophelia Lovibond as they discuss her journey into discovering acting, getting started working young, maintaining education while working, moving to Los Angeles and working, her experience on "Elementary," and her new hit show "Minx" and so much more!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Saffron Hocking

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 60:32


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Saffron Hocking as they talk about her experience growing up in London, getting interested in the arts, going to drama school, and her work in "Top Boy." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Ani and Alessandra Mesa

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 51:50


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guests Ani and Alessandra Mesa as they talk about their journey growing up as twins, getting into pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, creating their own content, and their film "Superior." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Marissa Jo Cerar

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 52:27


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Marissa Jo Cerar as they discuss her experience growing up, discovering her passion for writing, getting breaks and landing in various writers rooms for shows like "The Handmaid's Tale," "13 Reasons Why, "The Fosters," and her new show about Mamie Till-Mobley called "Women of The Movement" now streaming on HULU! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Luke Thompson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 70:07


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Luke Thompson as they discuss Luke's experience growing up in France, attending university before drama school, ultimately going to drama school, working in Theatre in the U.K, landing "Bridgerton" and the amazing journey that has ensued! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Morgan Spector Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 38:33


    Join your host Ryan Perez and returning guest Morgan Spector as they talk everything that's happened since he was last on the show pre-pandemic. Moreover, discussing "The Plot Against America," "The Gilded Age," and the fact that this podcast would not exist without him and we are truly grateful for his work and time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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    Katya Martín

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 50:45


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Kata Martín as they discuss her experience growing up in Spain, moving to California, attending NYU, pursuing acting, and her new wonderful show "Promised Land" now on HULU!!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Haley Bennett

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 42:28


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Haley Bennett as they discuss her acting journey and her work on the new film "Cyrano" now in cinemas! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Cillian O'Sullivan

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2022 60:11


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Cillian O'Sullivan as they talk about his journey growing up in Ireland, finding focus, moving to the United States, and his new show "In From The Cold" now streaming on Netflix! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    David Fierro - Rally To Help

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 62:33


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest David Fierro as they discuss his health and ways in which you can help him recover from his medical emergency. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    rally fierro ryan perez
    Kevin L. Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 60:06


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Kevin L. Johnson as they discuss growing up, getting into acting late, booking "Ozark" as a co star and it becoming a reoccurring, and much more! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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    Bree Elrod

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 45:14


    Join your host, Ryan Perez, as he interviews guest Bree Elrod about her experiences as an actor over the last few decades. They discuss her creative journey that has taken her all over the country, her work with Alan Rickman, and her amazing performance in “Red Rocket” directed by Sean Baker, which is currently making huge waves both critically and at the box office. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Philip Barantini

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 65:48


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Phillip Barantini as they talk about his journey from acting into filmmaking, transitioning into directing and working survival jobs, and his new outstanding film "Boiling Point." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    boiling point ryan perez
    Will Catlett

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 55:41


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Will Catlett as they discuss his incredible journey and working with Kevin Hart in "True Story" as well as many of Will's other projects! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    true stories kevin hart catlett ryan perez will catlett
    Joanna Vanderham

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2021 68:42


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Joanna Vanderham as they talk about her journey growing up, going to drama school, getting pulled away on an acting job, returning to drama school, and all her amazing film, television, and theatre work! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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    Noomi Rapace

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2021 59:34


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Noomi Rapace as they talk about her journey growing up in a multi-cultural environment, manifesting work, taking on projects that were not the obvious choice, learning English in only a few months, and her brilliant performance in "Lamb." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 54:53


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis as they celebrate Ryan's five years of sobriety, talk about their friendship and history, and discuss Gabriel-Kane's life experiences growing up as well as becoming a model and actor. His new movie “Terror on the Prairie” comes out in 2022, and was a transformative experience for G-K. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    terror prairie gk day lewis ryan perez
    Alex Hassell

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 64:35


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Alex Hassell as they talk about his youth, getting into acting, founding The Factory Theatre Company, and his work in films like "Two Down," Netflix's brand new "Cowboy Bebop," and the highly anticipated "The Tragedy of Macbeth." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Jim Tierney and Brittany Feldman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 62:03


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guests Jim Tierney and Brittany Feldman as they talk about a dramatic series of events that has unfolded in the last few months as Ryan searched for his missing dog, Guy. Jim and Brittany were instrumental in the search for Guy and today's episode focuses not only on their experiences together, but also the amazing work they do for the animal community every day. Brittany is the President and Founder of Shelter Chic, a nonprofit animal rescue group. Jim uses a mixture of military training, clairvoyance, and dedication to help locate and track missing pets with his business, the Intuitive Walker. Listen in to hear more from them. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Rudi Dharmalingam

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2021 78:50


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Rudi Dharmalingam as they discuss Rudi's childhood and getting into table tennis, discovering acting later in life and not going to drama school, the persistence of showing up for auditions even when it meant a 14 hour commute, staying positive, and his new show "Wakefield" now available on Showtime! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Bill Heck

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 52:47


    Join you host Ryan Perez and guest Bill Heck as they discuss Bill's journey into acting, going to grad school at NYU, landing his first jobs, and his new wonderful show "I Know What You Did Last Summer" now streaming!!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Eden Epstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 63:45


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Eden Epstein as she shares her journey from attending NYU, finding an acting class that was a match, booking "Sweetbitter," and now Season 2 of Apple's "See." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Kaelen Ohm

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 52:26


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Kaelen Ohm as they discuss her artistic journey as a filmmaker, actor, and musician and talk Netfilx's "Hit and Run." Make sure to check out her music under the name AMAARA! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    John Pollono Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 44:58


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest John Pollono for Part 2 as they discuss "Small Engine Repair" the film now out in theaters and on VOD 10/1!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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    John Pollono Part 1 (from 2019)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 64:37


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest John Pollono as they discuss playwriting, Ryan's role in "Small Engine Repair," and it being turned into a film! This is a re-release with the brand new Part 2 coming Thursday discussing the "Small Engine Repair" film now out in theaters and on VOD 10/1!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    vod ryan perez
    Alison Luff

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 61:43


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Alison Luff as they talk about her childhood growing up in Texas, getting into community theatre, moving to New York City, working on amazing Broadway productions such as "Waitress" and "Les Miserables" and her film/tv work with her new wonderful show on STARZ "Heels." She's also one half of the indie musical duo Big Sur Bound make sure to check out their music! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Peyton Meyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 51:51


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Peyton Meyer as they discuss his childhood experience growing up in Las Vegas, discovering his passion for performing arts, going to Los Angeles to get representation, working on "Girl Meets Word," surmounting extreme tragedy and loss, and his new film "He's All That" now streaming! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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    Mark O'Brien

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 55:52


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Mark O'Brien as they talk about Mark's experience growing up in Canada, developing a passion for filmmaking and acting, the realities of pursuing it in Canada, immigrating to the United States, and his new projects "Blue Bayou" and "The Righteous" (which he wrote and directed) and so much more!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

    Tim Robbins "We Live On"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 55:36


    Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Tim Robbins as they discuss Tim's experience growing up in NYC, getting into theatre, going to college, moving to Los Angeles, founding The Actors' Gang, and The Actors' Gang new production "We Live On" now available on their website in parts 1, 2, 3 for pay what you can! The Actors' Gang strives to make its content accessible to all patrons. Admission is Pay What You Can but we are extending free tickets to patrons who can't afford to make a donation. For additional information or if you have questions, need assistance, or access to free tickets, please email at BoxOffice@TheActorsGang.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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