We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Warner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
Absolutely! I feel that from the moment I took my first headshot over two decades ago, I have been misunderstood AND mischaracterized. I also feel a VERY important lesson has been learned from both of these things – when it comes to performance entertainment, PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING!
I was born in southwest Virginia and raised in Texas and up until I became an actor, no one had ever asked me about my heritage, ethnicity or nationality. As soon as my acting coaches, casting directors and even my peers saw my first headshot, one of the first questions was always just that – “what are you” or “what’s your heritage”? Not thinking to much about it initially, I always said I was a white dude who was born in Virginia and raised in Texas, but as time went on and the same question kept popping up, I began to take a thirty-thousand foot view of myself and how I “fit” into Hollywood. I began to look through the eyes of the casting director to learn to see what they saw and as I did, shitload of internal conflict began to bubble because I wasn’t being what they were seeing. This made it extremely difficulty to regularly give them what they were looking for. And to this day, though I have had some notable success in some of the biggest projects ever made, I feel as misunderstood as ever.
Chris, 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?
As an entertainer, I feel I have not only a duty, but an obligation to bring performances that inspire those who watch to stpe into their purpose – whatever that may be! I began acting professionally over two decades ago in Austin, TX. My first major studio film role was in the Academy Award nominated Alan Parker’s feature THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE opposite Kevin Spacey. After some marked success in film, television and commercials, I headed for the bright lights of Hollywood!
In my most recent feature role, you can find me going toe-to-toe with Academy Award Winner Nicolas Cage in the independent feature WILLY’S WONDERLAND. You will also recognize me opposite Tommy Lee Jones in the Academy Award-winning film NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, with Benicio Del Toro’s Jackie Boy in the ground-breaking movie FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY or squaring off with Tim McGraw in the pilot of Taylor Sheridan’s 1883.
In addition to my successful movie roles, you might have also seen me on the television shows Prison Break, Criminal Minds, Friday Night Lights, The Event, NCIS: Los Angeles, Justified, Shut Eye, and American Auto. As one of the most respected character actors of this generation, I have cemented myself as an edgy, intense artist who leaves nothing to chance when I appear on-screen. I’m just a rough and rugged dude, doin’ his damnedest to bring badass back to Hollywood – so much so that I hope my personal brand speaks for itself – The Badass Original.
When I’m not bustin’ ass to deliver as much creative intensity to both big and small screens as possible, I’m usually bangin’ away at a keyboard on my next storied adventure or laying down my next voice-over project. To round out life, I enjoy spending time with my Queen at the beach, helping to rescue animals-in-need, supporting my beloved Texas Longhorns and doing whatever is necessary as the CEO and Creative Director of my mission-driven clothing brand Badass Original.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Wow! This is a good one. As the story goes, Mark Ruffalo went on between 600 and 1000 (depends on the article) auditions before he got what he considers his breakout role. He had been at it for the better part of a decade with small roles here-and-there, but nothing to consistently put food on the table, until…
With that said, this crooked-faced, husky-built, twangy-voiced, misunderstood Texas boy has also been on at least 1000 auditions over two decades and I’m STILL searching for my Avenger moment, BUT I’m persistent AF, if I’m anything!
What I have learned along the way, is that to make it to the level I want to make it in this industry, I have to be more than just an actor waiting on an audition. That is why I have become a screenwriter. That is why I have become a director and that is why I have become a producer. My spirit will not allow me “wait” on Hollywood any longer. Sometimes you gotta be a little cocky to get shit done!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It truly feeds my soul to entertain, especially when collaborating with other like-minded, kind-spirited artists. When the crowds into it and I catch of gleam of hope in fan’s eye that says “I’ve got what it takes to live my dreams, too!” – there’s no better feeling of accomplishment.
As the saying goes “when you do what you love, you never work a day in your life”! I believe that to a point. The reason I don’t believe it 100%, is because I believe work towards purpose is what creates true fulfillment. If work is not applied, then fulfilment cannot be obtained. When I’m on set or writing a screenplay or designing my clothing brand, time stands still for me – I never look at a clock in those moments. All that matters is creating the most engaging art that I can muster. When I lay me head down the last time and take my last breath, I want the world to know that when it comes to this creative thing – I busted my ass to knock it outta the effing park!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thechriswarner.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechriswarner/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriswarneractor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswarnerbadassoriginal/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/warnerinc?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbuzyc1YeOrFvlTs7GVW_OA
- Yelp: N/A
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/thebadassoriginal