Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sam Aper. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Sam thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

I’ve had a few agents throughout my career, but I’ve never felt more supported than I do with my current team. I met my agent, Ella, through a former castmate. We sat down and talked about our goals, our love for film and television, and the types of stories that made us want to do this work in the first place, shows like Buffy and The Last of Us. I could tell right away that she, and the agency as a whole, approach everything with intention, care, and a real understanding of the industry.

I met my other agent, Joe, at an agency workshop. Afterwards, I sent him an email saying he reminded me of my uncles. I was looking for a way to connect, and it was true. He’s got this calm, steady energy that makes me feel grounded. He’s also incredibly kind and always shows up.

I feel lucky to have them in my corner, especially after taking a break from pursuing acting for a few years and deciding to come back fully focused. I think they signed with me because I’m passionate, I don’t give up easily, and I’m clear about where I want to go.

Sam, 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?

For me, there’s never really been anything else I wanted to do. Well, aside from rescuing every stray animal on Earth. I was putting on shows as a kid, dancing, performing in plays, reading constantly, and turning my favorite books into scripts. The story has always been what drives me. It’s how I understand the world, and it’s the only thing that’s ever felt right.

I know how hard this industry is. I’m not blind to it. I’ve taken breaks. I’ve come back. I’ve started over more than once. But I keep going. I’ve learned to stop obsessing over whether I should’ve made it by now. A lot of people build lasting careers later in life. Maybe that’s my path too.

I want to tell stories that hit people in the gut. I’m drawn to characters who are layered, a little messy, and grounded in truth. I care about the quiet moments that carry weight. And I bring my full self to every role because I care deeply about the story we’re telling and why it matters.

What I’m most proud of is that I never stopped. Even when it got hard or felt out of reach, I found my way back. And I’ll keep doing that because I can’t help it. I have to.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started, I felt a lot of shame around being an aspiring actor. There are so many of us, and I think we get a bad reputation. That hunger we have to break in is often mistaken for desperation. I used to be afraid that if I asked for help or reached out to someone for a connection, I’d come off the wrong way or even get blacklisted.

But the truth is, you don’t get anywhere by staying quiet. Asking for introductions, asking for help getting my SAG vouchers—those moments are what pushed me into the next phase of my career. I don’t come from money or have family in the industry. I didn’t grow up with connections, so I’ve had to build them myself.

If I could go back, I’d lean into social media earlier and not be so shy about showing the hustle. I still have to fight that fear of being seen trying. But I’ve learned that the most important thing is to put your pride and fear aside and just go for it. Closed mouths don’t get fed, and this industry rewards the ones who keep asking, even when it’s uncomfortable.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Affordable housing would make a huge difference. It’s hard to create when you’re in survival mode. Most artists I know have had to put their work on hold or walk away from it entirely just to afford rent or groceries. My creativity gets buried under stress and fear when I don’t feel secure. If we want a thriving creative ecosystem, we have to make it possible for people to live while they build. Stability fuels creativity.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @smkaap
• Other: TikTok: @skaper.makes
  IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5031303/

Image Credits

Headshot is by Dana Patrick Photography