Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Konstantin Lavysh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Konstantin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?

In life, so many things are a risk. Leaving home is a risk. Driving. Going to a shop. And then roller skating, swimming, skiing – you name it. A more fundamental risk would be a life changing decision. I have made those and I have taken those risks. In my profession, the very decision to choose the path is considered a risk. It’s not a safe choice to be in entertainment. Studying to be a doctor or an accountant almost certainly guarantees the scholar a profession that is respected and provides substantial revenue. The whole life can be planned ahead. Still a risk, but a tiny one. As an actor, one can plan nothing at all, as one doesn’t know if they will ever work to begin with.

My life had a few turning points, when a big risk was taken. I was high school student in Belarus, and an opportunity came about to audition for an exchange program – to go to the US for a year. It was a risk of sorts, the Iron Curtain just fell and it was a scary thing to do. I applied and won, one of 40 kids to go. I was asked if I had a preference of state and I didn’t. I just wanted to see the country and its people. The country that I knew as a kid, was the enemy. I ended up in Minnesota, in a beautiful home, with an amazing family I still love and keep in touch with. This adventure changed everything in my life, from advancing my English skills to perception of the World at large. Upon return to Belarus, I applied and was accepted into International Affairs program at the State University. I got to travel the world as a diplomat, and enjoy the respectable status. Then I worked in an industrial equipment firm, selling enormous machines to various plants and factories. I knew nothing about them, but I had good people skills and succeeded. The risk was again there – I had to depend on success of the endeavor with no guarantee of income. And yet the biggest risk was yet to come. I moved to California. With no money, but a determination. I wanted to chase the dream I had as a child – being an actor. So then I found myself working as a server in two, sometimes three restaurants and studying in between shifts. For many years, I had worked over 50 hours every week, but found the time to study and rehearse. I really wanted this, and I knew the risk was there. No guarantee was ever there that I will get a single job as an actor. That feeling is still there now. I am on set of Power Book IV Force, and I am jumping for joy. But the next day I fly home, and don’t know if I will ever work again. The chase continues. The risk is permanent. And I couldn’t be happier.

Konstantin, 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?

I am an actor and a father and a gardener and a Chef. I like to stare at the moon and the ocean. I like to be in a forest. I like to read and be around interesting people. I was a swimmer, growing up, and the reason for my parents to put me into swimming was my poor health. After some years, I ended up training with the Olympic reserve though, so it did help the health issues.

My favourite thing about being an actor is getting the opportunity live multiple lives. Per Meisner, acting is “Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances”, and I really take it to heart. It’s a high unlike any, not that I know much about all of them. Getting a part is like starting the descend off the highest black diamond trail. Like catching a huge wave. Like going over a 100 mp/h on a motorbike. It’s a magnificent feeling. And then the process begins, and the places, and the people – so many new interesting people. Every project is a huge undertaking of great many people, from producers who risk everything to make it happen, to directors and writers, actors, crew, and crafty – everyone contributes something of value, making it all come together as a film, of a game.

I use my whole life’s experiences when approaching a new part, and that makes it more interesting for me every time. Some of the favorite parts I got to play are Boris in Room 104 on HBO, General Barkov in Call of Duty MW, Father Andrei in the Americans, and a father in Against Night, an AFI Thesis film. But there were so many more! I feel really blessed with all the amazing experiences I got to have!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was in Vancouver, filming Ice (a cool TV show, available on Starz) and was delivered to the airport in a limo. Business class to LA. Limo picks me up and drives me to “the residence”, my apartment. But on the way I ask the driver to pull over near a mall in Hollywood. “Should I wait Sir?” – asks the driver. I say no and get out. I go up to the 4th floor, enter Trastevere Italian restaurant, change my clothes, put by bag in the office and run to the new table. “Bon jorno! Would you like some sparkling water Sir?”. My turn to serve. I am now a Constantino, Italian waiter from Roma. Moments like this, when the glossy glory is hand in hand with the hustle of the “survival”. I am the first to admit, I have enormous respect for business owners, guys and gals who sacrifice so much in their lives to pursue. They fail, and rise like a Phoenix. And some achieve greatness. It’s the Chance. The American Dream. Work your butt off to then, one day… keep working harder. Take my wife now. She gets up at 4am every day to prep the day for the three kids and I and manages to film and create and run an awesome YouTube channel! And a small bakery!That is proper resilience!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I am a believer in fundamental education. The cool thing about knowledge is that it is absolutely free. It’s all in the pages of books in that library near you. But it seems a lot of people I know prefer the easy path, like finding that One Book that will change everything. I think such book doesn’t exist. Rather, there are plenty books that can be life changing. At different stages in life, different books would be beneficial and especially helpful and inspiring. The Bible is a good example. So many metaphors! As a kid, the biggest influencers were Karlsson on the Roof and Moomintroll and Alice in Wonderland, who inspired me to see magic in real life. Later is was Ivanhoe and Count Monte Cristo and Tolkien’s worlds, all inspiring me to value people and Honor. As a teen, Remark was my best friend, and Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and Hermann Hesse. Later, Murakami and Coelho. At the same time Rich Dad Poor Dad and The Secret have a good place on my shelf, and Livingston Bach, and Bulgakov. Of course, Martin Buber is not for everyone, but the complexity of thought in a book is not the most significant source of value. To get inspired – read. And read out of the box, not just professional literature. 1984 will read very differently when you are an adult, and so will Steppenwolf. Read about people you want to be like. Read what they read – but also read what they didn’t, after all you are not them. Noone can walk in someone else’s shoes, and no point in tying. Walking in your own is more fun anyway.

Contact Info:

• Website: konstantinlavysh.com
• Instagram: konstantinlavysh
• Facebook: Konstantin Lavysh
• Linkedin: Konstantin Lavysh
• Twitter: klavysh
• Youtube: @konstantinlavysh

Image Credits
Bobby Quillard