We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kevin Dary. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kevin below.

Kevin, 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?

I’ve always been attracted to the performing arts. As a kid, I remember learning how to dance by slowing down VHS recordings of Michael Jackson videos, and trying to replicate voices that comedians and impersonators of celebrities would do on TV. I think my mother probably has old videos of me at age 4 doing something like that and trying to show it off!

However, it wasn’t until I was in my early 20s that I took steps to make it a career. It’s the kind of idea that you have in mind, but that you don’t talk about or consider seriously because it’s not a “real” job. But after hitting a point in my life where regular jobs just felt dull and unfulfilling, I knew there was no other option for me but to give it a shot.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Kevin Dary, I was born in Marseille, France, and I’m an actor and voice actor based in Los Angeles since 2017. I’ve always been fascinated by the performing arts, and I am constantly inspired by movies, animation, and music.

As for personality and character, I am someone who definitely isn’t cookie cutter. I was lucky enough to travel a lot around the world, and I feel like while I always can partially fit with each culture I experienced, I never truly belonged anywhere fully. I lived in France, Japan and the US, and I have parts of me that are attached to each place, but all for different reasons. The result is a French guy who dresses like Japanese and American rock stars and lives in L.A while loving Japanese pop culture and missing French food!

But I can now say that L.A still feels like the place I could call Home because I am here working and doing what I love, while still being able to be myself without it being an issue for anyone around.

I am extremely happy and proud to say that I work with several V.O studios, dubbing a wide variety of content in French and English, from infomercials to TV series and movies, having even been the french voice for actors such as Ralph Fiennes and Joel McHale. I have a true passion for voice and this is a branch of acting that I love to see grow and get more and more recognition, especially with the video game industry making it bigger than ever and the huge boom of animation since the mid 2000s.

I love being in front the camera too, don’t get me wrong. But there is just this sense of freedom when you’re in a booth that I’ve always thought was so unique. Combining it nowadays with the art of Motion Capture is also expanding the limits of what acting is, and I can’t wait to see what will come next in this realm.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think we should teach society to encourage creative minds and support unique personalities from a young age, and without making it about financial success. It still isn’t the norm, at least in my experience. Far too often, people have an issue with creatives for being different, However, the moment they are successful or famous, it’s okay because “well they are creative, it makes sense”. But before that, the comment is usually more “who do they think they are?”. Which says a lot about society even nowadays. This person is being themself, From the get go. However, most people associate this with fame and a sense of being “allowed to” because of status and success.

By teaching younger generations more and more that it is okay to be yourself and creative, we will over time get rid of this idea that only success gives you this right to fully express yourself and not “fit the mold”. Should there really be a mold to begin with, and why make the pursue of art acceptable once money and/or fame have been achieved?

I truly believe society, not just creatives, would benefit from a shift in this perspective. Creatives would maybe embrace their desire and arts sooner, without the pressure coming from being different or needing a “real job”, and society itself could potentially accept and even create more jobs related to people being unique/different without feeling like outcasts, which are two concepts that are still too often related.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

A lot of what creatives want and aspire to do is similar to what non-creatives do in their journey. It’s just that usually the focus is on the differences. But if you really think about it, the core idea is often the same.

Let’s say someone studies to become a surgeon, and it is their passion and their goal is to save lives. They will study for years and follow their heart to make that happen.
A singer, actor, or painter, is driven by the same passion to create and will keep honing their skills and craft to make something better, that might, somehow, speak to someone. I am not saying that they are saying lives the way a surgeon does, but maybe they created this song, character, or painting, using feelings and emotions that were extremely important to them, and that they believe others can resonate with and feel speaks directly to them. If the creative mind stops working and gives up, their work won’t be out there and some people could miss out on something that might really help them, or change their life for the better, have a realization, etc.

It is just as much work and dedication, albeit a little more unconventional. But the cliche of a bohemian life of someone just hoping things will happen is far from the truth. It is demanding and challenging but your passion will keep driving you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thatonefrenchdude

Image Credits
Brad Buckman Stephanie Girard Steve Escarcega