We were lucky to catch up with Simon Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Simon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. 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.

Becoming an actor was within itself a risk. A risk I wasn’t ready to take until I was 25. But let’s start from the beginning. From a young age I always wanted to be an actor, a clown, an artist, a creative or an entertainer. I loved evoking emotions out of an audience, and ever since I was little, I dreamed of being an actor. But, unfortunately, following my dreams and pursuing this art wasn’t in the cards at the time; my head was lost in the clouds of addiction and would continue to be until I was 25. February 5th, 2017, I took the biggest risk of my life; I decided to get sober, straighten my life out and chase my dreams. For years, I told myself that chasing this pipe dream of acting was way too risky and that becoming an actor was near impossible, but I thought getting sober was impossible, and I conquered it. Why couldn’t I conquer this? I took the leap of faith and started acting in 2017, I haven’t looked back since.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Before I became an actor. I worked on the production side of the industry. I started off as a Production Assistant. The first show I worked on as a PA was the hit Comedy Central series “Workaholics,” which I worked on for 3 season’s. After that i started following in my father’s footsteps to become a talent manager. I started working as an assistant at talent management company and planned to slowly work my way to the top. There was one problem though, I wasn’t happy. All I ever wanted to be in my life was an actor; however, I told myself early on that it was too risky to chase this dream, so I played it safe and worked on the side that had less risk. Finally in 2017, I decided to go against my self defeating instinct, I quit my job and auditioned for my first play. To my surprise I got the lead and the rest is history. Since then I have starred in 6 plays and 35 filmed projects and haven’t looked back. I am very proud of what I have achieved thus far, and have pushed myself as an actor and as a human being, grinding through one project at a time. I have garnered attention from several film festivals, picking up some awards along the way. My performance in the short “MR Nightmare,” has helped the film win over 10 awards on the festival circuit. Most recently I starred in my first feature film, “Charlie Buster,” working along side legendary actor Michael Madsen, and had the privilege to be directed by renowned director, Farzan Deljou. In mid 2024, I signed with IAG (Independent Artist Group) which has helped push my career into second gear.
I am a dedicated actor who gives 110% in my performances and I make sure to work diligently with directors and writers to help bring their vision to life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

That’s a tough question. There are many things that have been rewarding about being an actor. Obviously, making a living as a creative stands out, but it isn’t what makes being actor rewarding. I was told a long time ago that “if you get into acting just for the glamor, fame and money, then you’re in the wrong business.” I do this because I love it. It is all I dreamed about since I was young kid. All I ever wanted to be my whole life was an actor and I am living that dream now.

But if I was to narrow down the question you’re asking, I guess, for me the most rewarding part of being an actor is being able to explore and create different characters on screen and on stage. Testing myself, seeing how deep I can explore and dissect this character and make it special in a distinct way that will garner a reaction from the audience. My goal as an actor is to leave Simon at home and become the character. Whether I am playing a comedic drug dealer, a blood thirsty cannibal, a deaf hero, an excitable personal assistant, or deeply disturbed insomniac – my goal is to become these characters to the best of my ability. It is rewarding when you hear how my acting affected the audience, or when you watch it yourself for the first time on screen.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is definitely a big part of my story. In early 2017 I was tapped out from life, deep in alcoholism, aimless, passionless and just plain depleted. It wasn’t until I woke up one morning, and decided that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. February 5th, 2017, I decided I wanted not only my life back, but to live a life worth fighting for. February 5th, 2017, I got sober. A couple of months later I auditioned for my first play (Shakespeares “Comedy of Errors”) and I got one of the leads and the rest is history. I don’t know what caused me to wake up one day and decide to change my life and dig myself out of the hole I dug for myself, but all I know is that without resilience I wouldn’t be here today, chasing my dreams, being sober, and living a life I never thought was possible.

For any anyone reading this that is going through addiction, depression, anxiety or anything of that nature, just know that you are not alone, and that there is a way out and that there is no shame in asking for help. You will get through this and become stronger from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14561061/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoncmartin/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user182602593