We recently connected with Joel Alvarado and have shared our conversation below.
Joel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Who else in the entire world can say “Orange Chicken changed my life!”??
Well for me that is exactly the case. I have managed to change something labeled the “Worst” into being the best thing for me.
Being on Warner Bros hit show, “Worst Cooks In America: Spoiled Rotten” Season 27 has done soo much for my career. I made friendships on the show that will last a lifetime! It is truly rare to make any besties on a competition series. Recently, I returned from filming a Christmas Movie in West Virginia with Leona McTaggart Chapman who was also on the show with me. Leona and I presented our journeys in the Entertainment Industry with fellow cast members- Dean Cain, Julie McCullough, Richard Grieco, Josh Novey, Cydney Chase, and Eddie McClintock. We encouraged the cast and crew of our new feature film. We spoke about both the highs we have experienced and lows that we have overcome.
Joel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Growing up in the Midwest I always dreamed of working in entertainment. My first path was music. Landing a role on PBS in a televised Opera opened my mind to all of life’s possibilities. I toured with Dennis Deyoung, of the music group Styx. He encouraged me to always believe in myself and never deny myself the opportunity to dream and build as a brand. Although I have been featured on television and in movies for the past 20 years, my true moment of breakthrough was in The Andy Griffith Movie Mayberry Man, which is now with Sony Entertainment’s Pureflix. Being the Coproducer and actor that plays America’s lovable “Goober” has been a highlight. It has led to feature films as well as being cast on Worst Cooks In America which is on Food Network, Discovery +, and MAX! The magic of streaming is how eternal it is. In fifteen years, people can for the first time stumble on Worst Cooks and binge watch my show and discover me and my orange chicken as if it just happened and that is amazing. You never know who is watching or what opportunity anything that you film will steer you towards.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The absolute most rewarding thing for me is when I get to meet with people and hear about the laughter and entertainment I have brought to their lives. I have an annual holiday event called The Christmas Gift and Hobby Show. It’s a time when I can take 5 days to meet and speak with guests and do a little Q & A. I always love listening to their opinions and sometimes I learn from things that they noticed that I didn’t. Many of the guests share deep insight to traumas in their lives and how I have made them smile through the pain. If I spread joy .. then I did my job! It’s not only the Mayberry way… it’s the Joel Way! I also have always wanted to be a big brother that showed strength and determination. I always told my sister I would be “Famieouss”. I never accepted “no” as my answer. I always found a way to level up regardless. I knew that my future depends on me and not what someone can or can’t do for me. My sister Victoria is a huge supporter of anything I do and it was a true pleasure seeing her reach her dream by graduating Nursing School! We build eachother and that is exactly how it should be.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Although I look supple and tight haha I am from a time when you pounded the pavement of Burbank and Hollywood banging on doors trying to have someone notice you have the talent.
I remember a time when I was going to give up. In fact, I was just speaking to my mother -Sandy Oliva. We were remembering the many times that I told her I will give up and throw in the towel. She always encouraged me to continue. Lucky for me .. I did. I am working on shows with Actors and Actresses that I have always looked upto. It’s brings a perspective that none of us .. not you who is reading this article .. or myself know just exactly what is around the corner… that is both frightening and exhilarating. I can not wait to see what is next because soo far I have gained such a momentum and the plans that I have for myself will take up the next few years. I am writing a cookbook that will be published in 2025! It is my first and only book. I am giving it my all and soo far I am loving it. I also have reality shows and films that will not only be released, but also some that await to be filmed. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed but I am thankful for the feeling of having an overflowing plate of possibilities. I started out hungry in Hollywood and so it is the best feeling to be full! I recently received the Warner Bros. FYC Award for Outstanding Reality Tv Moment. I could not wait to get my hands on that Waskally Wabbit! Although greatness has been happening…. I believe that the best is yet to come. Stay Tuned!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://imdb.me/joelgooberalvarado
- Instagram: theofficialgoober
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realitystarroyalty
