We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Violi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

When I started out, as a teenager, I had no training. I was living at home and one day picked up the local newspaper, not the big one that comes to your door, it was that tiny one that you get for free at like the grocery store. I saw an ad for auditions for a local play. So, I just hopped in my old, beat-up Chevy Nova and went to the audition. I had zero idea what I was doing. But, as fate would have it, I got one of the leads. Who knew? I think it was called “My Three Angles” about three convicts. I just went off instinct and, hey, I wasn’t half bad. But, I was hooked. I loved it, loved being onstage, the comradery of the cast and crew, etc. I did a few more local plays and even was taking the train to NYC to audition for things I found in Backstage magazine. It was all on-the-job training. I didn’t get any formal training until I moved out to Los Angeles a few years later. Here I’ve studied with some of the top industry teachers. From the Groundling’s improvisation to so many incredible individuals. All those different techniques and training have led me to a place where I now have my own way of doing things. It’s a mash-up of everything. It was really my mentor, Tom Orth, who helped me boil everything down into a usable thing. And maybe, most importantly, help make me comfortable with just myself when acting. Ultimately, that’s what people want to see – you. It’s pieces of you sprinkled into each role that makes them interesting and come alive. That’s one of the biggest obstacles that actors, especially newer actors, face is just relaxing and being themselves. We tend to think every role must be this big therapy session, but no most are just people talking .

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an actor. I’m a New Jersey native who had the honor of being cast in “Elvis Lives!” the first film commissioned by Mark Cuban for his AxsTv channel. I played the mysterious acquaintance of star Daniel Hugh Kelly in the thriller “Hunt for Truth” and the pivotal role as tough as nails boss Ari Reinholtz in “Double Down”. I was a Series Regular in the comedy “24 Hours In Hotel Hell” along with comedian Doug Stanhope and Barry Livingston from the classic “My Three Sons” TV series. Being considered for roles that eventually have gone to Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, and others keep me ready, excited, and on top of my game. I can, additionally, be seen Guest-Starring on various TV shows. An all-around athlete, I have trained with Stuart Wilson, Bruce Willis’s longtime personal stuntman, in weapons handling and action acting. When I’m not busy making a new film or TV show I can be found staying active, hitting the gym, swimming, or enjoying the outdoors from the beach to the mountains.

Currently, I have a few new projects that are getting ready to start. There a two new films that I’m not a liberty to speak about, yet. I’m just about ready to sign on, but they are both exciting and I can’t wait to do them. Also, I am attached to the series “Vice Squad” which is set to start filming later this year. This is an exciting project from Ascedent Studios that I am amp up and ready to go on this one. Stay tuned!!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think most actors and creatives can relate to the fact that just deciding to be in this business illustrates resilience. Most of your time is filled with struggle, rejection, working jobs you don’t want to work, and questioning why the hell you’re in it. Lol. It’s very hard to explain that feeling inside that burns and keeps you moving. forward. Most don’t have 401k’s and 2 weeks vacation every year. But, when you get the opportunity to do your craft, wow, there’s just nothing like it. Everything is worth it. When you a fortunate enough to work consistently it is such a gift.

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 guess it would be the “why”? Why do we put ourselves through this? How come after you reach so and so age don’t you go manage a Macy’s or something? It’s just something in you that keeps you going. I know people who wish they could do it, but the need for security outweighs things. And, I understand that. There’s no right or wrong. But for us, the need to express ourselves, and go after the seemingly impossible outweighs things. If you’ve ever thought about it, it’s never too late. Go do a local play, start a podcast, or whatever. Go for it!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realdavidvioli/
• Other: IMdB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1057058/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_2_nm_6_q_david%2520violi