We recently connected with Oswald Hunter and have shared our conversation below.
Oswald, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
There are moments when I wish I had started my career as an actor sooner. This wish mainly comes from my absolute love for what I do and the thought that an earlier start might have advanced my career further. Perhaps it would have been easier to enter the industry at a younger age, with fewer risks and more time to navigate my way. I know that even though I sometimes wish I had started earlier, I wouldn’t have been emotionally ready.
Starting later is definitely not an option I would have considered. The same obstacles would have been there, and knowing what I know now, I would have missed out on the joy of the journey and the process of doing the work.
Every person has their unique journey, and I believe that what is meant to be will come when you truly understand who you are and what you want. For me, this realization came after moving to Sweden in 2015, where I found the peace and possibility to discover who I am and grow as both a person and a professional. I come from a very challenging upbringing. As a child, I was severely bullied and beaten by my peers. At home, it was only my mother who showed me love, even though she was in survival mode herself. My two older brothers were far from supportive; the oldest ran away when I was eight, and I didn’t see him again until I was twenty-two. The middle brother had his own challenges, which led to him regularly bullying and beating me while my mother was at work. My father did not want me and was, to say the least, emotionally neglectful and repeatedly told me I would never amount to anything.
Growing up in such an environment, I struggled with my sense of self-worth and had no clear goals other than to prove I was worthy of living. This led me to work in high-risk security at the age of 17, and after a severe motorcycle accident at 23 that required nearly two years of rehabilitation, I started working in healthcare. Specializing in autism, I worked with individuals on the autism spectrum who had behavioral challenges and could become very aggressive if their needs were not met. This job confronted me with my own issues, flaws, and traumas. While maintaining professionalism at work, I used my spare time to work on resolving my traumas and finding myself.
This entire journey has given me the backbone to become an actor. It taught me discipline, tenacity, and provided me with emotional range and a better understanding of how to connect with a character and bring truth to a scene. My background has also fueled my passion for the drama genre. Even though I sometimes wish I had started my acting career sooner, I recognize that I wasn’t ready then and would have faced a different set of challenges. Most likely, I wouldn’t have been able to handle the amount of rejection an actor experiences daily.
Looking back, I realize that my timing has been just right for me. Each experience, each challenge, has shaped me into the actor and person I am today. It’s a testament to the fact that the right timing is unique for every individual. Trusting your journey and embracing your path will lead you to where you need to be, exactly when you are ready for it.
Oswald, 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?
I am a 40-year-old man, born and raised in the Netherlands. I moved to Sweden in 2015, where I found the opportunity to explore and pursue my passion for acting. I have trained in various techniques, including Meisner, Stella Adler, Stanislavski, and other greats. This year, I returned to the Netherlands, married the most incredible and supportive woman, and now work full-time in the industry.
My acting career has taken me around the world, and I continue to travel for my work. What sets me apart is the relentless effort and consistency I put into my craft, along with my incredible stubbornness to become an established actor. My drive is not for fame or money, but for the sheer passion of acting. Dedication and consistency are my mantras.
I am constantly striving to learn and develop my craft, always seeking to improve and grow as an actor. When I am not working on acting, I do modeling and write books. My latest title, “Fate or Faith,” is based on my life.
Outside of work, I find peace in animals, riding my motorcycle, and composing music. I also enjoy motivating others and am always open for people to contact me.
As an actor, I am proud of the resilience and emotional depth I’ve developed through my journey. I want producers, my followers, and fans to know that my work is driven by a genuine love for the art of acting and a commitment to bringing authenticity and truth to every performance.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There are a couple of books that have profoundly influenced my approach to acting and the mindset needed for success. The first book that comes to mind is Steve Harvey’s Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success. Regardless of opinions on Steve Harvey, the book is undeniably valuable. It offers insights in an accessible way and poses critical questions to the reader. It also provides practical tools that, when applied, yield results. I read this book twice a year to update my answers to the questions and track my growth.
The second book is I Don’t Need an Acting Class by Milton Justice. While there are many excellent books on acting, this one stands out head and shoulders above the rest. Milton Justice writes as if he’s having a direct conversation with the reader, making the book captivating and easy to read. His approach brings the techniques to life and ignites passion in the reader.
Besides books, I also enjoy watching “Actors Roundtable” on YouTube. Listening to masters of the craft share their insights and experiences is incredibly inspiring. Their honesty about the industry’s various aspects, even the harsh realities, helps prepare aspiring actors for what lies ahead.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I believe that many people think working as an artist is very glamorous, whether it’s as a dancer, model, singer, actor, or any other form of entertainment artist. This perception is especially prevalent among the younger generation, largely due to social media. What people often see and hear about is the glitter and glamour of the industry—fancy cars, clothing, money, and so on. While a small part of the industry does come with a luxurious lifestyle, it’s only a select few who achieve that level of wealth and fame.
Speaking from an actor’s perspective, we’re just like any other professionals, and it takes a lot of hard work to master our craft. The effort we put into our roles is not visible on the screen. Weeks to months of preparation go into each performance before any scene is shot. This includes researching the character, understanding the script, and building relationships with co-stars. Acting is a job that requires dedication and excellence.
Moreover, the amount of work and the number of people involved in a production are often overlooked. Just because we are seen on the screen doesn’t mean we’re the ones making it all happen. I have enormous respect for the crew members behind the scenes who create the world you see and make our lines come to life.
Another aspect non-creatives might struggle to understand is the uncertainty that comes with being an actor. You never know when or what your next role will be, leading to financial instability. While Samuel L. Jackson might be swimming in cash, the majority of actors aren’t exactly rolling in dough. It’s a bit like playing the lottery, but with more drama and fewer winning tickets. Dealing with this uncertainty requires a thick skin, but if acting is the only thing you can see yourself doing, it is both the scariest and most rewarding profession.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oswaldhunter.com
- Instagram: iamoswaldhunter
- Facebook: iamoswaldhunter
- Youtube: OswaldHunter
Image Credits
Victor Nikamo – Frame & Focus
Manny Fontanilla
Anders Engstrand – Engstrand Vision