We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anthony Wanzer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking risk is what it’s all about! The one phrase i’ve never been comfortable with is “What if ?” If I have a question i’ll ask. If I want something I’ll go for it full speed ahead. I’d rather hear “no” then wonder “what if ?” for the rest of my days. I don’t believe in failure. I believe you can only learn from whatever situation you happen to find yourself in as you move forward. I remember working on the film (Head Of State) with Chris Rock & Bernie Mac. Bernie was at the height of his career. He had just done Kings Of Comedy & gotten his own tv show ( The Bernie Mac Show) He was a rock star! I remember one day after shooting a scene he & I left out of the same side entrance & there was no one else around. I asked him if I could come on his show & he jokingly said no. Lol Had I not asked I would’ve wondered my entire life “what if” but I got my answer & was able to move on without that lingering phrase I hate so much living in my head taking up precious real-estate. Take risk, learn & move forward.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m originally from Arlington Virginia. I started acting when I was about 20. I didn’t know anyone in the business and the internet wasn’t like it was today so I literally started off going through the yellow pages looking for a manager trying to figure out the next step. I went to my local casting agency with a blank resume with just my name. The casting agent yelled at me & told me to get out because I hadn’t done anything. I landed my first gig as a extra in the movie The Replacements with Keanue Reeves. It was my first paying gig as well. It was on this set I met someone who referred me to my first manager. She was amazing & was able to book me many gigs including major television rolls and national print ads. It wasn’t long before the casting agency who turned my down in the beginning wanted to work with me. In 2014, after many bit parts, industrials, music videos & commercials I made my move to Los Angeles to pursue bigger project. After doing my first film in Los Angeles (Assistant Motives) & having my daughter my priorities shifted.

I wanted more control over my time/projects so I started producing & directing. During Covid, I had a serendipitous meeting with comedic legend “Speedy” from Foxxhole Radio (Jamie Foxx cohost from Sirius XM) He invited me to do his spin-off show radio show “Speedy N Friends” which I really enjoyed & I’ve been doing it a little over 2 years now which has led to a career in standup comedy & radio. I’ve since been introduced to comedic legends such as Jamie Foxx, Earthquake, Hope Flood, Mark Howard, Robby Peron, Johnny Mack & Mystro. It is a great honor & a privilege to know & be around such legends. Being able to ask questions and absorb the knowledge is not something I take lightly. I was also introduced to comedy legend Earthquake. He invited me to do his show Quake’s House on Kevin Hart’s Lol Radio.Sirius XM.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a artist or creative is the growth process. As a standup comic or actor you are never finished learning. Never finished growing. I think when someone is really good at something they tend to make it look easy even though it’s not. The art of story telling in not for everyone. Standup comedy is much more difficult than it looks. Your favorite artist have usually been working on the act you saw for many years until the prefect it. Getting the story right, making the audience laugh and delivering that performance sometimes 2-3 times per night can be quite challenging. What I love most about the art form is you can very clearly see your own growth. Another rewarding aspect is meeting & becoming friends with all of your hero’s who came before you. I can call a ton of my hero’s and ask them whatever I want. Having access to people & mentors who are very successful at what i’m doing is a huge plus.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

If you’d like to support a artist the best thing you can do for them is show up. Ticket sales and views matter. As a comic the promotor of the show needs to know they are hiring a comic who can fill the seats. Bring friends and tell others about the show. Show up however you can. Whether it’s showing up or streaming the film/event. Your presence matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2609282/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthonywanzer/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/c/RollOutDigital
• Other: You can also find me on Quake’s House on Kevin Hart’s LOL Radio Sirius XM CH 96