We recently connected with JR Ritcherson and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, JR thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
From the literal very beginning, out the womb thanks to my parents. Some people choose their career and others have their career chosen for them. I was like a dark-skinned, male version of the Olsen twins. From the time I was a baby I was in front of the camera as a baby model and doing commercials. A lot of people struggle most of their lives to discover what their purpose is or what they want to do with their lives, fortunately for me God blessed me from a very young age with the knowledge of what I love and what I want to do with my life, which is entertainment, and having a larger than life personality helped as well haha. My dad is in advertising and marketing some I did some of my first print and commercial work for his company. As a result I caught the bug, it was full steam ahead and everything from then on was designed for a life in entertainment including college and life after college in the real world. It has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but I keep a positive attitude and permanent smile on my face because I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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 came out the womb smiling, full of energy and positivity, so naturally that lead to a life in entertainment. I was born with a small body, but a larger than life personality that I used to entertain, uplift and brighten any room I entertained. I started out as a baby model and doing commercials. I became serious about enter when I was around 11 years old and as a result I started training and doing summer theatre at ”Children’s Theatre of Madison” aka C.T.M all throughout middle school and all doing plays in high school and college. I went to school in New York for the first two years at “The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts” which a 2-yr film and tv program focused solely on acting and the business and then I transferred to Adelphi University on Long Island Where I received my B.F.A in acting. After I graduated I was deciding between staying in New York or heading out west to Sunny California. GOD intervened and I was blessed with my first professional gig which was moving to Minnesota and touring with the children’s theatre company “Climb Theatre”. This was a huge blessing because it was a 8 month contract and I got to travel the midwest and perform at elementary/middle schools, so little to say I was in heaven. I was also able to do a couple indie films and commercials as well while I was there. After my contract was up I made the biggest risk of all which was leaving the security of where I was and moving across the country to LA LA Land. Since moving to LA it was been a rollercoaster of ups and downs that I could have never imagined. GOD works in mysterious and wonderful ways if we just listen. My plan for my life was to just be an actor, but especially since 2020 God has opened other opportunities that I never even thought possible. Now I consider myself a taller Kevin Hart combined with a shorter Nick Cannon with less kids. Translation I shattered the conventional box and become a more versatile entertainer, operating in the worlds of not just Acting but as a Host, Model, On-Camera Personality, Gamer, VO work even Sports. GOD has allowed me to add many branches to my tree but still root everything in entertainment. My brand is all about being an eternal optimist, inspiring, brighting every room I’m in with my ear-ear smile and larger than life personality and most importantly FUN, like a bite size version of Shaquille O’Neal except I make my free throws when I play basketball. My job is to change the world one smile at a time. I am most proud of never giving up when that was the easy choice, believing in myself when no one else did and most recently being a positive role model to my two young nephews. I want everyone reading this to know that you are unique, quirky, amazing and good enough just the way you are, so go out and attack your dreams because you are worthy of everything you want, because GOD has your back and if he is for you NO ONE can be against you. A few places you can catch me are: gaming/being silly on Youtube’s “The Gamer Lounge” ” as a model on the NatGeo/Disney+ show “Brain Games on The Road”, hosting the LA Crime and Horror Festival, body/image in an EA Sports game and the brand new show “Snake Oil” premiering on FOX on Sept 27th hosted by David Spade to name a few.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The world is such a dark place that if I can brighten someones day through my work, personality, advice, presence, smile then I’ve done my job and achieved my goal. God blessed me with with the ability to be the black energizer bunny I just keep going and going and going and can’t or won’t stop, no matter how bad it gets or what thrown at me I won’t give up because I have thick enough skin that nothing can break me. I want to inspire, uplift, motivate to know that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, despite what others think because as long as you believe in yourself no matter how long it takes YOU CAN DO IT and you can your dreams matter. Run your own race and focus on yourself and not others. Don’t compare yourself to others because we all have different journeys, strengths/weaknesses and paths to success. “Comparison is the thief of joy” is a quote I love and like to live by. Also its important to know that life is about peaks and valleys and as one of my inspirations the late great Kobe Bryant said, “That emotions come and go, its important to just ride the wave” which means life isn’t perfect everyone goes through ups and downs, you are not alone, and the storm will eventually end, you just have to be ready”” The world would be a much brighten place if we adopt the motto of “hey, hey, hey, hey smile big everyday” They say laughter is the best medicine but kindness is the real elixir to life.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most enjoyable part of being an artist is that everyday is different and seeing the different worlds I get to operate in. Truly stepping into your calling and purpose is an unbelievable feeling. When you know you’re doing what you love and what you are meant to be doing the possibilities are endless. Going through the challenges and being patient is part of the journey as a creative or artist and admittedly I struggle with those aspects, but if you love something you will persevere and go through the fire because it’s worth it. I also love the fact that during the struggles and challenges I am able to grow, evolve and learn more about myself. Also proving the haters and doubters wrong helps too.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Actorj4
- Facebook: JR Actor
- Twitter: @Actorj4
- Youtube: Youtube.com/actorj4