Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Edward Gelhaus. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Edward, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Artistry is a double edge sword. When one considers pursuing a career in acting, that decision itself is a risk. It can bring the happiest moments of life, while also bringing moments in which one doubts every decision they’ve made along the way. One can follow their passion, work hard and strive for excellence and yet still there is never a guarantee of success.
The majority of the days aren’t the glitz and glam of Hollywood as seen in magazines or on social media – but rather an endless grind and hustle. Most times the public doesn’t see the artist’s true journey, rather they see the façade that everyone paints.
Coming out of the town of 900 in Wisconsin, now living in Los Angeles and working as a full-time actor and coach, there have been a lot of ups and a lot of downs. A lot of risks taken, a lot of failures and every once in a while a great success.
Personally probably one of my greatest risks was turning down a job that would’ve paid me more money than I’ve ever made to instead focus on building my 1on1 acting coaching business. In doing so, I had no guarantee of income- my success would only be determined by how hard I hustled.
In my younger years I found happiness whenever I would achieve something personally, now I find even more happiness when those I coach have success and happiness within their own lives – knowing that I might’ve played a small part in someone else’s journey. If you’re an actor, you know that consistent work can be never taken for granted. Coaching has allowed me to stay on top of my craft during those times. It has also given me greater perspective and respect for the industry and all those who struggle day to day to follow their dreams.
Edward, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Edward Gelhaus, originally from a small town of 900 in Wisconsin (half Amish and the other half cows) as he likes to say, studied Acting at Ireland’s premier drama school: The Gaiety School of Acting, and also trained with coaches from London’s Rose Bruford University. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Music and Dance from Saint Mary’s University.
Edward’s professional acting journey first began on stage, completing 2 Equity tours of “West Side Story” and “Grease. As the Vegas lights called his name, for 3 years, he performed the leading roles in numerous shows on and off the Las Vegas Strip. As a very movement-based actor, he also worked and studied with top coaches for the world renowned company Cirque Du Soliel.
In moving to Los Angles California, he switched his career focus from live stage to television and film. His initial “break” into the industry was in landing a recurring role in American Horror Story “Freak Show” as young Dell Toledo, the strong man. Since that point he has been seen GuestStaring in numerous television shows and movies such as “The Forever Purge”, “The Terminal List,” “Quantum Leap,” “SWAT,” “Animal Kingdom,” as well as many others.
In the past decade, Edward has also worked as a private acting coach (1on1withEdward) at his studio in North Hollywood, Ca. He resides and performs, onstage and in film, in Los Angeles, California.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A major pivot in my career would’ve been when I injured my vocal cords due to over use. That vocal injury was a major factor in my shift away from musical theatre into television and film.
What at the moment seemed like a career ending injury, ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to me and my career.
In moments like that, you have to option to cave and give up or you rediscover yourself. I was able to discover a passion for a different part of the industry that I knew nothing about, which then lead to me coaching that art form. That vocal injury has given my day-to-day voice and unique rough quality that has added in allowing my acting career to flourish.
Life truly is one big game of pivot.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
This may sound cheesy. But the most rewarding aspects of being an artist are allowing the others the ability to actually feel.
In the world nowadays we are surrounded by millions of fake façades, millions of imaginary walls where people are too scared to be there genuine self or even show their emotions. The silent fear of expression.
When I act or when I coach acting, I’m able to tear down those walls not only for myself but for others around me. To give someone else the ability to feel whether it’s within the success in landing their first television role -to the escape they feel in the movie theater. That is something that I don’t take lightly.
But probably the most meaningful rewarding aspect is the ability inspire someone with my story : a kid from a town of 900 in Wisconsin, who came all the way to LA to make it as an actor, and even though the hustle never stops, he’s not quitting and he’s doing it.
If I can inspire one person to do the same and not to give up, then I guess it was all worth it
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