Conversations with Frank Fiola

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Fiola.

Frank, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor—I even wrote it in my 6th grade graduation yearbook. But somewhere along the way, I got sidetracked and started chasing the dream of becoming a professional basketball player. Looking back, I think part of me didn’t see acting as a “real” option, mostly because I was extremely shy. Still, the dream never left me—it stayed quietly in the back of my mind.

Fast forward to after university: I knew I wasn’t going to make it to the pros in basketball. That’s when I started planting seeds in the acting world—doing background work, reaching out to successful local actors for advice, practicing monologues, and acting in short films. I’ll never forget my first short film. I didn’t get paid a cent, worked long hours… and absolutely loved every second of it. That’s when I knew this was more than just a curiosity—this was my passion.

In 2015, I officially committed to the journey. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the best in the business, including Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, and Jennifer Grey.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For most of us, the road is never smooth—that’s just the nature of this business. In my case, I wasn’t formally trained. I didn’t go to theatre school, drama school, or work with acting coaches in the beginning. You could say I was winging it, relying purely on instinct.

That approach worked for small parts and one-liners, but when it came to bigger roles, casting directors could see I wasn’t quite ready. Eventually, the auditions stopped coming for an entire year. That was my wake-up call—I had to truly work on my craft and take it seriously so they could trust me enough to even be considered for larger roles.

I’ll be honest—I still wrestle with confidence to this day. But lately, I’ve been seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. And now, I feel ready for anything.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a film and television actor known for bringing raw authenticity, emotional range, and a grounded presence to every role I take on. My journey hasn’t been the conventional one—without formal theatre school or drama training, I carved my own path through persistence, instinct, and on-set experience. From early short films and background work to acting alongside industry greats like Dennis Quaid, Halle Berry, and Kathy Bates, every step has been about growth and resilience.

One of my proudest moments was working on Moonfall. As a huge Roland Emmerich fan and lifelong lover of sci-fi films, being part of that project was both a career milestone and a personal dream come true.

What sets me apart is my ability to fully inhabit a character by blending instinct with lived experience, creating performances that feel deeply human and memorable. I’m driven not just to entertain, but to leave a lasting impression long after the scene ends.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Hmm I had an accident that happened in 2012 , a brain injury that warped my sense of smell and taste

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankfiola?igsh=eGtqNjh0cDU3d3Bs&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DPSM8Jp95/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm8264230?s=36cc52d0-3416-ecda-0e7c-776dacea4fd5&site_preference=normal

Image Credits
Jeremy Cabrera & nina Larose