We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ricardo Vargas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ricardo below.
Alright, Ricardo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Over the past two years, I took a step back from professional projects to focus on my education. My work visa had expired, which meant I wasn’t able to keep working because I didn’t have a valid work visa, and I couldn’t apply for the O-1 artist visa at the time because I didn’t have enough credits. I wasn’t ready to go back home because I hadn’t accomplished all my goals, so I decided to go back to school instead. I recently graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, and now I’m fully committed to pursuing my career.
That being said, two of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on so far were before this transition. The first was working with Lana Del Rey on her music video Candy Necklace. Being on set with her was truly magical. I admire her so much as an artist, and I’ve always appreciated her music. After we wrapped, I had the chance to talk to her, and she was incredibly humble, down to earth, and kind. It was an unforgettable experience.
The second project was working on Blood and Money, a true crime documentary series by CNBC. I played Erik Menendez in an episode about the Menendez brothers case. I was familiar with the case, but I didn’t know all the details until I started preparing for the role. I watched every documentary I could find, read books about the brothers, studied interviews, and even analyzed the trial footage to understand Erik Menendez on a deeper level. That process of research and character development was an incredible learning experience for me as an actor.
These two projects remain the most meaningful to me because they challenged me in different ways. One allowed me to be part of a creative vision alongside an artist I deeply respect, and the other pushed me to explore a real life character with depth and nuance. Now that I’ve graduated and can fully focus on my career again, I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Ricardo, 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?
Before diving into the entertainment industry and fully committing to the craft of acting, I was a lawyer back in Monterrey, México, where I’m from. I worked as a lawyer for a couple of years, but deep down, I always knew my true passion was acting. Four years ago, I decided it was time to take a leap of faith, so I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dream.
My journey started at the New York Film Academy, where I completed an acting program. After graduating, I worked for a year, gaining valuable experience, doing amazing projects, meeting incredible people, and building strong connections in the industry. During that time, I tried to apply for the O-1 artist visa, but I didn’t have enough credits to qualify. Still, that year was a major learning experience.
I’ve always loved acting, but my passion for it started with my love for horror movies. I grew up watching them, and one film, in particular, is the reason I’m pursuing this career, SCREAM. I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I first watched it, but I do remember being fascinated by the actors and the things they were doing on screen. Even though I knew what was happening on screen was not real, the process of acting looked so fun and exciting. At the time, I didn’t even know it was called acting, I just knew that I wanted to do what they were doing. SCREAM holds a special place in my heart because it’s what inspired me to become an actor, and my ultimate goal is to be part of that franchise and land a role in a SCREAM movie.
Now that I’ve graduated from AMDA and my work visa has been approved, I’ve been auditioning a lot for different projects: Movies, TV shows, commercials, short films, and independent films. One piece of advice I’d give to other actors is to never stop training. You have to keep improving your craft and honing your skills. With that in mind, I recently joined an acting studio to stay sharp and be at the top of my game. I believe that if you don’t keep training, your skills fade over time. This applies not only to acting but to any profession. You have to keep learning and growing to be better every day.
One of the things I’m most proud of is taking the leap to move to a city where I barely knew anyone, in a country where English isn’t my first language. My English has improved a lot, but it’s still a challenge at times. Despite that, I’m proud of pushing myself out of my comfort zone and pursuing something I truly love, even though I didn’t realize at first how hard it would be. But I’m the type of person who doesn’t give up. There are days when I don’t feel motivated, but I keep going. I keep showing up, I keep auditioning, and I keep working toward my goals.
I truly believe that as long as I don’t stop working towards my goals, things will happen. One way or another, they will happen.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I’m not sure if this directly pertains to society, but one of the things I believe would really support actors, is being more open to casting calls, especially considering that not all actors have representation. To land major casting calls for big productions like movies and TV shows, actors often need an agent or manager, but many talented actors don’t have that access. As a result, there are so many incredibly talented individuals who miss out on big opportunities simply because they don’t representation, including myself.
Additionally, it would be amazing for casting directors to be more open to casting new faces, and to stop focusing so much on the number of credits an actor has. When you’re just starting out, even if you’re extremely talented, it’s challenging to build up enough credits to be considered for bigger projects. A little more room for newcomers could make a big difference in giving fresh talent a chance.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, one of the most important goals driving my creative journey as an actor is to inspire others through my talent and performances. Whether it’s on screen in a movie or live on stage, I want to evoke real emotions in the audience and make them feel something meaningful. Acting is about more than just performing for me, it’s about connecting with people on a deeper level, leaving an impression, and offering them a sense of understanding or emotional release. My mission is to move people, challenge their perspectives, and hopefully inspire them to pursue their own dreams or confront their own feelings. At the heart of it, I want my work to make a positive impact, even if it’s just for a moment, and be something people remember long after the performance ends.
In the future, when I’m older, I would love to be remembered not for my fame, but for the performances I gave and the way I was able to touch people’s emotions and inspire them. I hope that my work leaves behind a legacy based on the emotional connections I’ve made with others, rather than just the recognition or popularity that can come with the industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ricardovargase.com
- Instagram: @ricardovargase
Image Credits
– Jonny Marlow
– Parker Burr
– Raynier Badua