Life & Work with JaDarrel Belser of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to JaDarrel Belser.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For those new to the scene, my name is JaDarrel Belser. I’m an improv/sketch performer and I’ve previously performed and/or trained at The LA Connection Comedy Theater, The Second City Hollywood Main Stage, The Pack Theater, The Hudson Theater, IO West and The Underground . I’ve also trained in Manhattan, New York at the Immersive Theater Workshop at Ripley-Grier Studios with director Andrew Scoville. My film and TV credits include “MegaShark Vs Crocosaurus”, HBO’s ‘Insecure’ and ABC’s ‘Abbott Elementary”. In recent years, I have been seen in many music videos like Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Humble’, Why Don’t We’s ‘ Lotus Inn’, Buzz Low’s “Thong Song Remix” , Justin Timberlake’s ” No Angels” , Childish Gambino’s ‘ Little Foot” and Tim Hicks’ ‘ Not Truck Song”.

 I was also featured in a popular Super Bowl commercial with former ‘Saturday Night Live’ star Heidi Gardner and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star Daniel Levy. I’m a military veteran ,having did a 5 year stint in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman for the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2008 (including one tour in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom). I’m co-founder of the production company Gatecrashers Inc with my writing partner Tim Mathis.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. That’s common for most actors out here lately. The industry has its ups and downs. Recently, it has been a very slow period for a lot of actors and creatives, myself included. I’ve had droughts before but I’ve also had periods where I’m booking every few weeks. That’s the grind. One of the biggest struggles for me is not being typecast. I’m usually seen in casting as a ‘big , clodding heavy”. Just a big piece of furniture that’s better seen, not heard.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Like I said in the intro, my specialty is improv and sketch comedy. That’s been my bread and butter as it were for many years. Recently though, I’ve thought to expand my horizons. I’m trained in commercial acting, I completed the Scott Sedita Online Comedy Intensive training for sitcom acting and the Meisner Master Class with Michael Corozine of NYC. 

Currently, I’m most known for my online ” A Monologue A Day” venture on social media. It basically consists of me self-taping myself performing monologues from film, television, theater and even poetry and comic books. I’ve done Shakespeare, August Wilson, Edgar Allen Poe. I’ve done Marvel movies, horror films, comedies and such. Since I started it months ago, I’ve gained hundreds of followers with likes and views averaging in the thousands. I’m very proud of it. You can find A Monologue A Day on the Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube links with this article.

I’ve also started a production company Gatecrasher Inc and we are currently shopping our first feature “MEGABOWL”, a documentary spoof about Frisbee Golf. We have a GoFundMe for those who want to contribute .

What sets me apart is that I’m not your average ‘big black guy’. I pride myself on being to display a range in my work that most people don’t have. I believe that’s the key to longevity.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Hopefully, on the uptake. The film/TV industry has been struggling the last few years. Many people I know or I’ve worked have given it up and moved on. I’m hoping there is a return to more in person auditioning and less of a reliance on social media followers. It’s taking away from people who have trained for years and spent thousands to be better and work more. I’ve lost many roles to people who got their role solely because of social media presence. I hope that quality wins out over quantity.

Pricing:

• https://gofund.me/17781346a

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jay.d.belser/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadarrelbelser
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jd.belser?lang=en

Image Credits
Michael Roud Photography