We were lucky to catch up with Ramon Fernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ramon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

My father was a big player in 80s Wall St. I was groomed to take his place and push on with his dreams and accomplishments (Man of the Year, 1985, etc…) I got a degree in Business Administration, but minored in Theater. Once I graduated, after five years on Wall Street I decided to quit that route and instead bartended for five years at night to have the daytime free to audition and become an actor and eventually, filmmaker.

At first, my parents thought i was crazy. I have a colored background and speak several languages. They couldn’t understand, after putting myself in debt to get that degree and all the opportunities at my finger tips, why I wouldn’t play ball. After some years of hardship, once I actually began making a living at it, I hear through the grapevine that they love it every time my face comes up on screen and brag to their friends.

I play a lot of “heavies” as we say in the industry. That is, bad guys. My mom is pretty tired of watching me die. since “crime don’t pay” and the bad boy always must be punished.

That’s the risk I took upon myself all those years ago and it has paid off in spades. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Couldn’t.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was once a Wall street man, who quit the nine to five rat race and became a film and TV actor. I started as a fan, then a critic, actor, writer, director and editor. Mostly out of necessity.

Though there are many paths I could have chosen, the Artist life is the only way for me. All my efforts go to telling compelling stories that will outlive me long after I’m gone. I’ve made two documentaries, the first Glory Daze was on Netflix for two years, now on Amazon. My next Surpassing Sight, about blind athletes will premiere next year.

Though I’ve played a lot of bad guys, I’m still convinced the right part at the right time is still ahead of me. Where I get to show my softer side. We’ll see how it plays. At least it won’t be boring.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I have agents in New York, Atlanta and LA. A Manager who supervises them all and a Voice Over agent. That’s my team and life line in front of the camera. What pays the bills to support the behind-camera activities.

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.

What I do is one of the most difficult and irresponsible things a person can do. To chase after a dream of that magnitude takes a certain kind of person. Is it a prophecy or a delusion? Only one way to find out. Risk it all. Turn dreams into plans. This is for crazy people who have nothing else. I’d be a miserable millionaire, had I chose a different path. And I’d be dreaming of precisely the life I’m living now. So no regrets. One life. Get after it and die trying if you must. But at least be able to say you swung for the fences.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ramon5959

Image Credits
Ramon Fernandez.