Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ash T. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ash , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Deep down, we all know what we want to be when we’re kids, but probably don’t have the ability to communicate our desires effectively. That was me at 5. I’d just done a play called Gonbei the Duck Hunter, and after that, I knew I wanted to be an actor. I was hooked and couldn’t shake it off.

Alas, the dreams of a child are not taken seriously, and I was strongly encouraged to follow a path with more certainty and financial independence. Since my father was a doctor, I followed in his footsteps. He always said if I wanted to be an actor, I should be a doctor first. Then decide.

So, out of fear, I went down the path of least resistance–graduated with an M.D. and an MPH from UVA followed up with a residency in Clinical Pathology at UT-Houston, and a clinical research fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at NIH. The pinnacle of my medical career came as an Assistant Professor and Blood Bank Director at M.D. Cancer Center. I was extremely successful, yet very unhappy. Every time I watched a TV show or a movie, my heart would ache because I knew that acting was the path I really wanted in life. And so, I’d come to a crossroads–do I continue on my life as a doctor or become an actor?

A meeting that changed the trajectory of my life happened when I spoke with my medical residents. She was looking for a new job once her fellowship ended, but she felt upset that she wasn’t able to find anything. I told her, hey, you can achieve any dream you want in life. You just have to really want it, work hard and be persistent. That conversation may have hit me harder than her because I realized I’d been a hypocrite my whole life. Instead of going after my dream of becoming an actor, I’d become a doctor.

And so I sat down that night and talked to myself. It was like Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by all of the Christmas ghosts. I asked the ghost of Christmas past, the 6-year-old boy, was he proud of the man I’d become? And he said, “No way. Why’d I have to spend so many hours locked up in the library to get good grades? I was miserable!” And I asked the ghost of Christmas future–the guy on his deathbed. Any regrets about your life? And he responded, “Hell yes. You didn’t take any risks. You played it really safe. You played by the rules. Most boring life ever”.

And so I set out on a new journey. I decided to take acting classes at night. And boy oh boy, was I excited. The first class I ever took in 2017, I can’t convey to you the ecstasy and joy. True laughter. True happiness. I was doing the thing that I wished I’d been doing my whole life. This was my true calling. This is what made me happy.

I left my successful 9-5 job as a physician in 2018 and haven’t looked back. Coming to LA with a second chance at life, I am finally living my dream life on TV and in the movies.

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 and standup comedian.

I’ve worked on several popular TV shows like Euphoria, Better Call Saul, Dead to Me and Welcome To Chippendale’s. Most recently, I starred in a comedy horror film called Slayers, which had a theatrical release streamed on Hulu. It has an all-star cast with Emmy winners and Oscar nominees, including Thomas Jane, Malin Akerman, Abigail Breslin, Ashley Reyes, Jack Donnelly, Kara Hayward, and Lydia Hearst.

I executive produced a feature documentary called ‘Living With Chucky’ on the Child’s Play franchise, which aired on Screambox TV on April 4, 2023.

I co-created and starred in an action-comedy TV pilot called Hitbaby about a suicidal hitman who begrudgingly trains a computer hacker to become an assassin. This was Abigail Breslin’s directorial debut, and went through a successful 2023 film festival circuit run.

The older I get, the more fearless I become. I truly realize there is nothing that I can’t achieve with the right mindset. I am constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone to grow. This drive is why I started doing standup comedy. It was one of the last things I feared.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Taking the path less traveled is rarely smooth. It was scary. Am I even going to be good as an actor? Do I have enough talent and luck to earn money in the entertainment field?

I lost my income, healthcare, social security, and pension. My security blanket was gone, and I’m living off some savings and at times have to take up random types of work to pay bills. I live with roommates again for the first time since college. I have to be as frugal and careful as possible so I can continue on this marathon.

To get representation with a great LA agent and manager has taken many years, hundreds of emails and rejections. There are times when I wonder when my next TV job will land. I can go months and months without work as an actor, especially through COVID and the SAG/WGA strike. Those days test me the most as I often ask the question, Am I progressing in my career? Am I ever going to make it?

The path is uncertain. It’s dark. There’s no guarantee for success as there was in going to medical school. But all of these hardships are worth it. The times I’ve been on set across movie legends have been amazing. I have no regrets in life now, and that is the most priceless feeling any human can enjoy.

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

The most impactful way for society to support creatives is through active engagement and genuine appreciation. It’s about recognizing the immense value that independent artists bring to our culture and daily lives. One of the most direct ways to show support is by simply showing up. Attend independently produced comedy shows, music venues, plays, art exhibitions, and any form of creative expression that resonates with you.

Your presence not only provides encouragement to the artists but also contributes to the vibrant atmosphere that fuels their creativity. It’s a way of saying, “I see you, I appreciate your work, and I’m here to experience it firsthand.”

In our digital age, the power of social media cannot be underestimated. It’s a platform that has the potential to amplify the voices of creatives far and wide. If you encounter a performance, a piece of artwork, a musical composition, or any creative endeavor that strikes a chord with you, take a moment to share it on your social media channels. Your endorsement can introduce these talents to a broader audience and create a ripple effect of support.

When you share a post, attend an event, or purchase a piece of artwork, you’re contributing not only financially but emotionally as well. You become part of a community that acknowledges the vital role that artists play in shaping our society and challenging our perspectives.

Beyond attendance and promotion, offering constructive feedback and fostering a culture of constructive critique can also be incredibly beneficial. Creatives thrive on evolving their craft, and well-informed feedback can provide valuable insights that help them refine their work.

Ultimately, supporting creatives is about recognizing the power of individual expression and valuing the diversity of voices that enrich our world. By actively engaging with and championing the work of independent artists, we create a nurturing environment where creativity can flourish, innovation can thrive, and the arts can continue to inspire, provoke, and connect us all.

Image Credits
Peter Konerko Alison Narro