We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Oscar Torre a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Oscar, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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?

When I first decided to pursue acting full time, I was working as a therapist at a mental health hospital in Miami. To pursue this dream I felt that I needed to focus on it full time and that meant letting go of my job security and risk it all. I also knew that eventually I would have to move from Florida to Los Angeles. I’ve always loved a quote that says, “Jump and the net will appear,” the net was certainly not there when I jumped.

Oscar, 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?

Hello, My name is Oscar Torre. I’m an actor, director and writer. I’m best known for my work in The Hangover 3 and as Vinny Malone in Tyler Perry’s hit series, The Haves and The Have Nots, I can currently be seen in the Starz network in the series, Gaslit, opposite Julia Roberts and Sean Penn. I also wrote and directed the feature film A Summer Night, that will be seen at film festivals this year. The film stars my wife, Chuti Tiu (Yellowstone.) I started my career as an actor over 25 years ago in Miami, Fla. before moving to Los Angeles at the end of 2009. I am most proud that when I first started on this journey, I wasn’t a very good actor but I had a strong desire to learn and improve. At the beginning of my career I had many doubters and when I decided to become a full time actor, many thought I was nuts. Throughout the adversity I believed in myself when most didn’t and at times it was very difficult but I kept focused on my goal of being a working actor. On this journey I’ve had the pleasure to play lead roles in feature films, work with Academy Award winners and have popular characters on TV shows. If I had quit at the beginning and not worked on my craft, I would’ve always wondered if I had what it takes to work in Hollywood.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I first started acting the internet wasn’t as popular. You Tube wasn’t around. I believe that people that are starting out now in showbiz have the advantage that so much knowledge is only a click away. I’ve certainly taken advantage of that now. You can find so much inspiration on the internet. I wish I had that when I first started. Obviously the internet has it’s downfall but it’s an amazing tool if used wisely.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My most rewarding aspect is that I get to tell stories. I do that with every role I play. I get to learn about a world that might have been foreign to me before I started the project. In fact, not only with the roles I book but also the ones I audition for. I learn from each character I get to embody, even if it’s for a few minutes. Once you envision that world, you are richer for it. As a writer and director I have the responsibility to bring that script to life, to tell a story. A story that is meaningful to me. If one person gets something out of it, then I did my job. That is an honor for me.    

Contact Info:

• Website: imdb.me/oscartorre
• Instagram: @oscartorreactor
• Other: https://vimeo.com/722798183?share=copy

Image Credits
Profile photo by Paul Alvarez Jr.