Lawrence Thunell shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Lawrence, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now is a schedule flipped upside down. I work my “day job” at night. I work as an Online Assist on the Bachelor series 7pm-6am and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This allows me to work as an actor/vo artist during the day. Currently, I’m recording an audiobook and trying to get back into a workout routine. The work/life balance has been hard the past few months.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Lawrence Thunell. I’d consider myself an actor/creative with a knack for the details. I got my degree in theatre performance from Chapman University in 2011. When I moved to LA shortly after, I had a lot of “almosts” in the first couple years. It took me a long time to get into the rollercoaster of life as an actor. Auditioning was/is hard for me – really hard. I’ve come to enjoy it but it took several years to get there. Sometimes I have it (the shine, as I call it) and sometimes I don’t. But that’s really apart of the gig, finding the rhythm of successes and not focusing on the near misses.
This year has been a very plentiful year for me in terms of my career even though it has been hard for most of my friends in the industry. In 2025 alone, I’ve worked as a VO Artist on big commercial projects like Cheetos as well as a full length audiobook. I’ve also worked as a print model and actor on the on camera side of commercials. I’ve worked as an Online Editor/Colorist on a PBS documentary that just aired. I’ve also maintained my job as an Online Editor on ABC’s The Bachelor Series. I’ve worked as an Editor at The Bachelor since 2014 and it has allowed me to follow my dreams.
As for the future, I’m currently developing a feature film with my wife, Candace and my best friend, Paul. It’s been a dream to be able to work with people so close to me. We recently made a short together called Two Frogs in Boiling Water. Check it out, it’s good! I just want to continue to do stuff I’m proud of and while my focus has always been acting – I’m happy to work behind the scenes in order to make those opportunities a reality. When I do get to go to work as an actor, and this sounds cliche… I don’t consider it work. It really is the reward for doing well at the job of auditioning.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My grandpa Frank taught me the most about work. Before he passed, he instilled a work ethic in me (and my whole family) that has gotten me to where I am. My parents did a fantastic job with giving me guidance and support in pursuing a career in an industry that is notoriously hard. Without them, I definitely wouldn’t be here. But my grandpa was one unique individual. He was in World War II and was a union boilermaker. I remember he would wake up without an alarm every day at 6am. He would make his bed military-style and insist you did the same. Every day he would have some “work to do.” There was always “work to do.”
I was in charge of crushing cans at family parties. I’m the youngest grandson of a very large family of boilermakers and the drink didn’t get its name out of thin air. I was also in charge of helping him in the garden, or watching him weld, or some other diy project around the house that needed to get done immediately. My grandpa was responsible for shaping the lives of everyone around him and I think I took note of that early. He was a hardened man that cared deeply for his family. He was crass and could be mean or short tempered just as easily as he was kind, gentle and funny. That was the side I think I saw more than anyone (being the youngest) as he mellowed in his old age. My grandpa took me fishing constantly. He picked me up from middle school and I’d spend afternoons at his house until my mom could pick me up. He’d make me hotdogs that he’d cut up with barbecue sauce and mustard by the pool. He was also one of my biggest fans when I started acting in plays in high school. A man as hardened as he was supporting me in the arts was a big turning point for me.
He always had to move, always had to hustle. Now, I am definitely a fan of bed rotting. I can sit and do nothing for a whole day just fine. But when I commit to working on something, I obsess. I labor and obsess and I’m my own motivation forever and ever. I got that from him. Pride of work is pride of self. Obviously, this has tremendous pitfalls when you tie your worth to your work. But I think that it’s a little more nuanced than that. I tie my work to my voice and I’ve been searching for mine for a long time. I saw my grandpa make some beautiful ornate iron furniture one summer. I think that’s where his voice was held – the beauty in the iron that he shaped by hand. That inspires me. I like to think of what I’m trying to do in the same way. I don’t think I’ve quite found what I’m trying to say yet, but I’m working on it. There’s always work to do.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think hearing no is a very powerful motivator. Everyone will (I hope) hear no at one point in their lives. I’ve heard no countless amounts of times. It gets easier every time it happens and it happens, daily. Just keep moving, just keep pursuing. Get better. Who cares if not everyone is a fan or believes in you. Just keep working at believing in yourself. Be humble, continue to learn as much as possible. Have fun in the failures. Easier said than done and I can definitely spiral. But just keep working. There’s always work to do.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say the public version of me is a real version of me albeit not the only version of me. I try to live outwardly as I feel inwardly but I’m still the shy introvert in his bedroom. I find power in performing, in expressing myself outwardly through art but I’ve always been shy. Let’s put it this way, I can have the shine sometimes and have an easy time talking with strangers at a party but it depletes me. I’m not an extroverted people person by a long shot. I’d say my friends recognize that in me. I love people, they’re fascinating… but their emotions are a lot of work. 🙂
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had ten years left I would stop stressing so much about the day to day. I would try and really live more. I’d like to get off of my phone and experience the world around me. I’d travel more and hopefully work less. I’d just really work to shift the work/life balance which unfortunately has not been a real priority in this country. But I’d try and make the last ten years filled with love and kindness and good food.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lawrencethunell.com
- Instagram: @thunell.lawrence
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencewthunell/
