We recently connected with Ernest Tsosie and have shared our conversation below.

Ernest, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Yes, I am very happy as a performing artist in the mediums of acting, stand up comedy and motivational speaking.

No, I do not wonder what it would be life to have a “regular” job, because my job as a professional performer is regular to me. Lol. Im kidding. I know the question is referring to an 8 to 5 job, as they say, and I do not have to wonder about that because I used to have a an 8 to 5 as an archaeologist digging dirt in the desert.

Ernest, 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?

Like many folks who end up in their prospective careers, many times it’s something that they thought they would NEVER be doing in life, especially as a career! And that goes double for me! As someone who was introverted, with stage fright and extreme social anxiety, I became what I feared the most growing up, a public speaker! A performer! American comedy great Jerry Seinfeld, said something along the lines that “public speaking is so terrifying for some people, that at a funeral they would rather be in the coffin, than giving the eulogy!” Haha! My sentiments exactly!
At any rate, after some facing of my fears, much training, and a renewing of my mind, I overcame my personal obstacles and can now climb out of that coffin and give the “eulogy” and survive it!
But in retrospect, I guess i was first bitten by the acting bug after happening upon a movie shoot in the streets of Washington DC, one summer while visiting my mother when I was 16 years old. The movie was called “DC Cab (1983) and had many movie and TV stars in it, most notable were, Academy Award nominee Gary Busey, Mr. T, Max Gail, Paul Rodriguez, Irene Cara, Bill Maher and many more.
My day on location for a movie was overwhelming but exhilarating and I spent most of that day along with hundreds of others extras, watching the filming process, mingling with the actors, and actually being in the movie as a background extra. It was an amazing experience for an impressionable teen ager and I guess it never left because 14 year later I would be starring in my own first professional job as an actor in a play called “Kastina” for the Actor’s Theatre Of Phoenix. That was 26 years ago and I’ve been performing ever since.
My most recent body acting work, at the time of this interview, includes roles in “Dark Winds” AMC television show based on the books of the late and renown southwestern mystery suspense writer Tony Hillerman. I also appeared in multiple episodes of TV shows “Better Call Saul” and “Longmire” for AMC and Netflix. Lastly Ill be appearing in a Netflix movie called “Rez Ball” still upcoming at the time of this article.
Besides acting, I am also a working comedian and am currently touring as a solo comic and as part of 49 Laughs Comedy, a Native American stand up comedy showcase, which I am a founding member of, Some of my most memorable comedy experiences include playing at the world famous Laugh Factory in Hollywood, CA, the House Of Comedy in Scottsdale, AZ and the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and many places in between across the USA.
It’s been a wonderful journey so far and I look forward to what lies ahead in the way of traveling, performing, and bringing my form of “good medicine” to audiences wherever I go either live in person or on the screen!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me being a performer is the fact that through my skill set I am capable to bring joy, laughter, inspiration, and inner healing to people, who at times, really need some sort of comedy or creative relief from their day to day or on going negative situations that life tends to throw at us. No matter who we are or what position we hold in society the this saying holds true, “Everyone can use a good laugh.” I’m also reminded of the Bible verse found in Proverbs 17:22 that says “Laughter is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” And we as a country and even the world has gone through some spirit crushing events recently in the wake of a global pandemic with massive loss of life, Natural disasters, unspeakable violence, and so much more! So, I am right where I need to be as one who brings joy, laughter and healing motivation through the performing arts!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I believe like many artist, the driving force behind them is manifold and for me one of my goals as an artist is to get better with age and gain more wisdom from my work, wether it be learning new acting techniques, comedy structure and formats, or becoming a more confident speaker.

And my MISSION is always to uplift others wherever I go, and not just in my professional life but in my personal life as well. I do that by speaking positivity to others, encouraging young artists, taking the time to talk to strangers on the street, or people i meet in passing, and also my own family, friends, and relatives.

“Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy to the body”~ Proverbs 16:24

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ernietsosie.com
• Instagram: ernie.iii
• Linkedin: Ernest Tsosie
• Youtube: Ernie’s Good Medicine
• Other: www.49laughscomedy.com www.jamesanderniecomedy.com

Image Credits
Gil Martinez Brent Wylie