Rising Stars: Meet Antonio Rumie of Burbank California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonio Rumie.

Hi Antonio, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started off as the kind of theater kid who would sit anywhere but a chair. Floors, tables, corners, you name it. I’d memorize entire movie dialogues just to perform them in my living room or dress up as a different character everyday afterschool. Storytelling was always my passion; the question was never if I’d do this, but how soon could I start?

Theater cracked the door open, and I found filmmaking at the other side. I discovered that behind every performance was an even bigger world. A world where directing, writing, choreography, and more come together to create magic.

After living all over South America in over six countries I finally landed in Los Angeles, the heart of the film industry, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in acting. Now, I’m building a career in front of the camera while expanding my craft behind it: dancing, directing, writing, and any other department that comes my way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely been a bumpy road!

One truth I’ve learned is just how unpredictable this industry can be. One month you’re bouncing from set to set, making many connections, barely finding time to sleep, and the next, it’s a dry spell. No auditions, no sets and no opportunities. It’s both the beauty and the destruction of this career. On one hand, there’s a wild sense of freedom. You’re not tied to a specific schedule, and anything can happen. On the other, that same freedom can feel fragile, because everything seems to come with an expiration date.

That unpredictability has been a huge challenge for me and for so many artists I know. We’ve had to get creative, to find other ways to sustain ourselves and aid our artistic brains when the work slows down. Though in a strange way, those struggles become your biggest strengths. They’ve taught me how to be resilient, flexible, and the importance of seizing the moment when the work does come.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m an artist. While I earned my bachelor’s degree in acting, I’ve discovered that storytelling isn’t confined to one path. I’ve fallen in love with directing, writing, production design, dance, and every other corner of this industry.

On stage, I’ve had the chance to play roles like Treplev in Chekhov’s The Seagull and Peter Evans in Tracy Letts’ Bug, as well as dive into musical theater productions like Rock of Ages and Pitch Perfect. On screen, I’ve worked on a range of short films, commercials, and most recently, I wrapped a part in a Colombian film that’s currently in post-production.

Beyond acting, I’m developing a science fiction trilogy I wrote, which is nearing release, and I’ll be stepping behind the camera to direct a film in Mexico in 2026.

What sets me apart is my versatility. I’m not limited to one role or title. Whether I’m in front of the camera, behind it, or somewhere in between, I adapt to what the project needs. I’m constantly learning, and pushing myself to master new skills while also bringing my own stories to life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Other than talent, I think luck plays a huge role in this business. Sometimes it’s not about the skills, nor your range, it’s about being in the right place at the right time. It’s the luck of who you bump into, who happens to remember your name, or what room you happen to walk into on a random Wednesday.

Most of the roles I’ve landed haven’t come from the traditional audition process, but through connections, recommendations, and opportunities that grew out of random encounters.

Luck isn’t entirely random though. You can boost your chances.

My favorite tactic is to “just go for it!” Whether that means starting up a conversation with a producer I run into at Whole Foods, showing up to a networking event, or simply checking up with your contacts. Those moments might feel small or even insignificant, but they’re like planting seeds. And one day, those seeds might grow into a project you never saw coming.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyrumie/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-rumie-b4b2a625b/

Image Credits
Andres Bernal, Wehan Zhang, Serina Huang, Lia Garcia, Ira Sharma.