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

Tanner, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I certainly feel it is part of the life of a creative to question and wonder what it would be like to have a regular job. I’d be lying if there was not times that I thought of having a different life, but those are passing thoughts that quickly go by. I do have friends and colleagues that have gone that avenue and I do not blame them at all, and most of them are very happy but for me every time I think of having a regular job or trade It usually ends with me saying something like “Oh I could play a great lawyer or doctor” but never actually wanting to do it besides acting as one.

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.

I am an actor currently living in Los Angeles. I have been working for almost 10 years now and have been living in Los Angeles since 2021. My background is in the theater, but since moving here I have worked on TV, Film and Commercial projects. Some things I am most proud of is a new show called ‘The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger’ which premieres in Jan. of 2024 and can be found on INSP TV. I had a wonderful time shooting with the cast and crew in Montana and seeing the script come to life with the beautiful scenery was special for me.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn a few things. One being, not everyone’s journey is the same. When I was way younger and not as aware of the business, I thought it was hard, but I figured if I got training, some credits and move to a big city it would be all down hill from there. Now my 12 year old self had to unlearn that as time went on. But now that I am older and fully immersed in the business I still have to remind myself that my path in this business is not going to compare at all to anyone else’s. With that lesson it really boils down to not comparing myself to anyone else, a lesson I think all creatives need to learn. It is quite freeing once that realization happens.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There have been a few. One that comes to mind is shifting from theater to film. I spent my early acting years honing my craft with the sole intention of being onstage and touring the country or world with a show. Broadway was never really a goal of mine but that is the mecca of theater, and I did not have a massive goal to be there. I certainly love those shows and actors but film was always my end goal. After I toured the country with a new theater show for 6 months, I returned home and had a few offers on the table to continue in theater and touring and I turned them down. Some people thought I was foolish but I knew it a pivot that I had to make for myself. It is not a door that is completely closed for sure, but I do not regret the decision to pivot.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm12860778/?ref_=instant_nm_2&q=Tanner%20Hake
• Instagram: @tannerhake

Image Credits
Seth Gardens Photography. Warm Spring Productions.