We recently connected with Huberto Villarreal and have shared our conversation below.
Huberto, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
As far I could remember, when i first seen the movie “The Warriors” I knew I wanted to pursue Acting as a career. It was something I never seen before, when it comes to movies. The movie is not just about gangs, it’s about courage, strength, brotherhood and loyalty. Everything from the acting, actors, actresses, storyline and scenes caught my attention, that I would love to be able to do what they did on screen & that’s Act! This wasn’t the first movie i seen, but it is the first movie that inspired me, in my opinion one of the most underrated films of all time. Movies became a big part of my life growing up as a kid, because I fell in love with the idea & finished product of film. I knew absolutely nothing about Acting or Film as a kid, i just knew one day i was going to pursue that career of being an Actor. Well, life took it’s course, we moved around a lot in Houston, from the Southeast side to the Southwest side to the Northeast side of Houston, where we eventually settled at. One dream i had a kid was wanting to be a professional wrestler (LOL) it was more of a dream, then anything. I knew I loved wrestling, but didn’t have the funds or sources to train as a wrestler, but I remained a fan of the world of wrestling. To this day maybe the best thing that never happened in my life, due to an injury I suffered as a kid. Well, life took it’s course once again, I became a father in April 2007, one month later I graduated high school in May 2007. I didn’t go straight to college after high school, so I never had a chance to experience the college life, instead I went straight to work that year of 2007, so I could provide for my son and be the father for the first time.
It was early 2015 I began my journey in my Acting career. I didn’t have any knowledge or experience in the film industry, I knew I had God on my side for guidance & faith to keep me going. What I knew I had to do was network and meet others here in Houston chasing the same dream and goals I had and I would attend events and auditions here in Houston to meet others in the Houston Film Community. At first, I started off as an Extra in films here in Houston, eventually I booked small speaking roles here and there, but after all the late hours on set meeting people and networking it really gave me an insight of what it’s like filming a movie. I’ve met some amazing people here in Houston, some Actors, some Actresses, some Directors, some Producers, etc. which I’ve built some friendships with. I’ve been cast in some amazing films here in Houston, with some career highs, with supporting roles in those films. I’ve been featured in selected Walmart stores in a feature film which was released straight to DVD. I’ve been featured in selected AMC Theatres in Houston & Atlanta in a feature film. I’ve been nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in The Zone Film Race which was screened at Houston’s Comicpalooza.
In the year of 2019, my Acting career took a turn, I made a decision to pursue my Acting career on a professional level, meaning to pursue it on a higher level, such as major feature films & tv shows. I’ve had to privilege and opportunity to audition for several major tv shows. I didn’t book any but I know my time is coming. As of right now in 2022, auditions are coming in and my faith remains stronger than ever. I got lots of things happening for me right now in my life, but that will be for another conversation.
Huberto, 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 far I could remember, when i first seen the movie “The Warriors” I knew I wanted to pursue Acting as a career. It was something I never seen before, when it comes to movies. The movie is not just about gangs, it’s about courage, strength, brotherhood and loyalty. Everything from the acting, actors, actresses, storyline and scenes caught my attention, that I would love to be able to do what they did on screen & that’s Act! This wasn’t the first movie i seen, but it is the first movie that inspired me, in my opinion one of the most underrated films of all time. Movies became a big part of my life growing up as a kid, because I fell in love with the idea & finished product of film. I knew absolutely nothing about Acting or Film as a kid, i just knew one day i was going to pursue that career of being an Actor. Well, life took it’s course, we moved around a lot in Houston, from the Southeast side to the Southwest side to the Northeast side of Houston, where we eventually settled at. One dream i had a kid was wanting to be a professional wrestler (LOL) it was more of a dream, then anything. I knew I loved wrestling, but didn’t have the funds or sources to train as a wrestler, but I remained a fan of the world of wrestling. To this day maybe the best thing that never happened in my life, due to an injury I suffered as a kid. Well, life took it’s course once again, I became a father in April 2007, one month later I graduated high school in May 2007. I didn’t go straight to college after high school, so I never had a chance to experience the college life, instead I went straight to work that year of 2007, so I could provide for my son and be the father for the first time.
It was early 2015 I began my journey in my Acting career. I didn’t have any knowledge or experience in the film industry, I knew I had God on my side for guidance & faith to keep me going. What I knew I had to do was network and meet others here in Houston chasing the same dream and goals I had and I would attend events and auditions here in Houston to meet others in the Houston Film Community. At first, I started off as an Extra in films here in Houston, eventually I booked small speaking roles here and there, but after all the late hours on set meeting people and networking it really gave me an insight of what it’s like filming a movie. I’ve met some amazing people here in Houston, some Actors, some Actresses, some Directors, some Producers, etc. which I’ve built some friendships with. I’ve been cast in some amazing films here in Houston, with some career highs, with supporting roles in those films. I’ve been featured in selected Walmart stores in a feature film which was released straight to DVD. I’ve been featured in selected AMC Theatres in Houston & Atlanta in a feature film. I’ve been nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in The Zone Film Race which was screened at Houston’s Comicpalooza.
In the year of 2019, my Acting career took a turn, I made a decision to pursue my Acting career on a professional level, meaning to pursue it on a higher level, such as major feature films & tv shows. I’ve had to privilege and opportunity to audition for several major tv shows. I didn’t book any but I know my time is coming. As of right now in 2022, auditions are coming in and my faith remains stronger than ever. I got lots of things happening for me right now in my life, but that will be for another conversation.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
When I think of the word ‘Artist’ or ‘Creative’ I think of an Actor bringing out a character to life and owning that role, not just acting a fool when the director screams “Action!”. The perfect example I can think right off my head right now is Heath Ledger (The Joker), not only did he book that gig, but he brought out The Joker to life and owned that character. There’s many forms or Artist and Creative, but for me as an Actor, it’s on film. There’s no limit to being creative as an Actor, there’s Action, Comedy, Horror, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Thriller, Fantasy, etc. So there’s so many kinds of roles out there to bring to life. If you can imagine it, write it, produce it, cast it & bring your film to life, that alone is creative, it doesn’t matter what others think about your film, just as long as you believe in yourself and put effort into your film, that’s rewarding itself.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Well, as for me in my journey, I wish I knew where to Audition. When I began my journey, I was a lost puppy. I didn’t know where to look or begin. We live in a world where the internet is at our finger tips, so I googled where to audition here in Houston and I also found several groups on Facebook, where people are networking, looking actors, etc. so I would submit and submit, also network with others. One other thing I wish I could of done, was Drama class in high school, which I ultimately regret to this day. I think that is something I would of loved and would of gave me a push in my acting career, such as a form of acting class. One day I plan to get into an acting class, but when the time is right. I think what has been helping me is my own Comedy skits I write, edit, act & produce, it gives me a form of acting class, I’ve produced several Comedy skits that I own. I’ve been featured in other people’s Skits.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubertovlrl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubertovillarreal
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/hubertovlrl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hubertovlrl
- Other: Tik Tok @hubertovlrl
Image Credits
Manny Moreno