Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Sless
Hi Jeremy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the suburbs of South New Jersey, a place where life often felt a bit more ordinary than extraordinary. But for me, that was just the backdrop to something far wilder. From a young age, I wasn’t the quiet kid in class—I was the class clown. Goofy, spontaneous, full of cartoons and crazy ideas. I was the funny one, and that, for better or worse, stuck with me.
But there was always something more brewing beneath the surface, a fascination with something bigger than myself. I spent hours watching James Bond movies, completely hooked on the idea of adventure. I dreamed of being a secret agent, saving the world, and living a life full of excitement. But back then, I had no idea how to make that happen.
It wasn’t until I approached high school that things started to click. My dad, ever helpful, suggested that if I wanted to be James Bond one day, maybe I should try theater. So, I did. I dove headfirst into plays, musicals, and performances, trying to satisfy that thirst for excitement. But something still felt missing. The stage was great, but I wanted more—action, stunts, car chases. Something that felt a bit more badass.
That’s when Sless Is More Productions was born. My friends and I, with nothing more than a few small camcorders and an unrelenting enthusiasm, started making action films in our small town. We were amateurs, no doubt, but we were passionate, and we loved what we were doing. We were creating cinematic experiences from scratch, even if the “cinema” part was a little rough around the edges. We got those car chases, though!
Things took a huge turn when I was accepted into California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) for an undergraduate acting program. I couldn’t believe it. They didn’t just see my acting potential—they saw my passion. This was my chance to immerse myself fully in the craft of acting, and I dove deep into it. The Stanislavsky teachings I learned there changed my approach and gave me tools I could use to refine my technique.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Just as my career seemed to be getting started, life threw me an unexpected curveball. My brother, Shaun, passed away suddenly, and it felt like the world just shut down. Grief, confusion, and sadness consumed me. I spiraled. I didn’t know how to process it, and everything felt like it was slipping away. I had to take up odd jobs—retail, food service, driving—just to keep afloat. But amid that darkness, something began to shift.
I realized that even at my lowest, I still had that fire inside me to create. I started channeling my grief, using it to fuel my work, not as a crutch, but as something that propelled me forward. I came out the other side and began landing roles in indie films and commercials, slowly building my career.
Still, even as things picked up professionally, I found myself facing new challenges. Funding, timing, logistics—it was a grind. But then, I remembered why I started doing this in the first place. The joy of creating for the sake of creating, just like when I was making films with my friends back in New Jersey. That sense of fun and spontaneity was still there, buried beneath all the practicalities.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
After experiencing significant pain and loss, I returned to working with kids, and that’s when everything truly reconnected for me. Working with them brought back that spontaneous, playful and extremely unique energy I had when I was younger. It was like a creative recharge—a reminder of why I fell in love with my craft in the first place. It’s not just about the technical skills; it’s about the excitement of pursuing something, no matter the challenges…and still being that goofy class clown at heart.
This renewed passion fueled my latest project, “Breaking and Entering and Humping,” an over-the-top, irreverent heist film that plays with blue comedy and pokes fun at the conventions of storytelling. More than just a satire, it’s a love letter to the wild, ridiculous films I adored as a kid, combined with the humor I embrace now. The film is polished but still carries that raw, goofy energy that I’ve always loved. I’m extremely proud of it.
Currently, the film is making its rounds through film festivals and will soon be available for streaming. It’s definitely evolved and matured, but at its core, it’s the same—just with more experience and a deeper understanding of what it means to create. What sets me apart is that energy— that wild, unfiltered spark I’ve always had, but now it’s unbreakable.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is the ability to transform pain and challenges into something meaningful. Throughout my journey in acting and filmmaking, I’ve focused on channeling the lessons learned from both joy and hardship. I’ve faced loss and struggled, but I’ve always tried to turn that pain into something positive. I didn’t fall into destructive habits, and I’m proud of that. Instead, I focused on creating—both for myself and for those I’ve lost. I feel it’s my responsibility to keep going and succeed, in honor of them.
Looking ahead, what excites me most are the challenges yet to come. I’ve always wanted to make an impact, whether that’s through Hollywood or the small communities I’ve met along the way. I aim to inspire others to keep going, no matter what, because there’s always room for more creativity, more laughter, and more life.
Ultimately, my journey is about reinvention, resilience, and the pursuit of creative freedom. No matter where you start, there’s always room to dream bigger. That’s what drives me, and that’s what matters most. Remember…Sless Is More.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jeremysless.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremysless/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremysless
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremySless
- Other: https://www.slessismore.com/; https://youtu.be/h_X-rBg2UzY; https://youtu.be/5bc-FPrMM2I?si=Pz2wdGkEFf0huMGa
Image Credits
Photos by Frankie Segura, Nate Washko, Maria Shapley, Connor Heck, Matt Reis, Andrés Aragon,
