We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Saint Thompson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Saint, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
For me, a turning point in learning the craft came during a theater production I was part of back home in Hawaii. I was 16 years old, playing the lead in a Christmas production. I had a scene where I made a toast at a dinner party and then transitioned into a heartfelt monologue professing my love for the co-lead. After my initial performance, the director told me she didn’t believe the “I love you” moment of the scene. She encouraged me to explore desperation and the vulnerability behind truly falling for someone. Taking her direction to heart, I took a beat to delve into the character and approached the scene again—this time not as myself playing Joseph, but as Joseph himself. I remember the cast surprise by the pivot in my performance. My words were no longer just a casual statement; every word now carried weight and became a poetic declaration of my love realized in her. It was a very cool moment, and it was then that I knew, I was hooked. I had disappeared into the character. I no longer spoke as the character but rather, the character was embodied in and spoke through me. It was the first time I understood the power of storytelling through performance, and I’ve been devoted to the craft ever since.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m from Hawaii, and I carry a bit of that aloha spirit wherever I go. As an actor, writer, and producer, storytelling is in my bones—it’s something I discovered on stage at the age of ten, when I first fell in love with the performing arts. That early spark led me down a path where I found myself booking roles in short films, indie projects, live events, and commercials. But it was when I moved to Los Angeles that everything changed. Within a week of arriving, I landed a role on Hawaii Five-0. It was funny saying my goodbyes to everyone back home as I departed to Los Angeles just to return the following week to work on the show. Soon after, I wrote, produced, and starred in One Shot, a short film that earned me Best Actor honors.
I then found myself at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, where I trained with a group of industry veterans and had the privilege of being recognized by UCLA, winning the Best Actor’s Pitch award, published in Deadline Hollywood. But when the pandemic hit, I returned home to Hawaii, where I was blessed to land a recurring role on Magnum P.I. and continue working on various other projects. After some time back home, I made my way back to L.A., still working on stories that speak to the heart and continue to shape who I am as an artist.
Off screen, I believe in the power of connection and kindness. Whether I’m helping others, making people laugh, enjoying classic films, or belting out a song at karaoke, I try to lead with an open heart. I’m excited to keep telling stories that resonate and continue growing creatively wherever I go.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is looking back and seeing how the private moments, have shaped the public ones. I recently revisited some materials from six years ago and was surprised to see a lot of growth. I hadn’t realized how much had shifted through steady effort and time.
The true reward comes from the slow, consistent work done behind the scenes. Sure, the bookings are great when they happen, but there is something fulfilling in knowing that those hours of work weren’t wasted; they were spent building something solid. It’s knowing that the skills you’ve developed through classes, auditions, personal study, and real-world experience are ready whenever you call upon them. It’s all about the journey and learning how to consistently bring characters to life in a way that feels lived-in, flawed, and real.
As creatives, we’re often our own toughest critics, always focused on where we want to go next. But every now and then, it’s worth pausing, stepping back, and really seeing how far we’ve come. Those small milestones, even if they don’t seem significant at the time, can be surprisingly rewarding when we take the time to look back and notice them.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
At the end of the day, I simply want to create projects that I’m truly proud of—productions that genuinely matter. Growing up in a family of cinephiles, my love for the silver screen runs deep. Sure, accolades would be amazing, but honestly, being a part of television and film that stands the test of time would mean so much more to me. And, God willing, I’d love the opportunity to work alongside the legends I’ve always admired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saintthompson.com/resume
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_saintthompson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/808saint
- Youtube: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/911431967
- Other: https://imdb.me/saint
Image Credits
I have the rights to the images