Rising Stars: Meet Randy Jay Burrell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Randy Jay Burrell.

Hi Randy Jay, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story starts as a young boy in Tampa, Florida just getting into modeling and acting. I booked a few big catalog and print shoots and through that got the attention of some local filmmakers. The modeling first led to commercials, which then lead to short and feature films.

I knew at a young age I always wanted to be an actor. My family and specifically my father loved Jim Carrey, even so much so that he began imitating him. I can say to this day that Jim was the reason I wanted to become an actor. So I rose the ranks of the Florida film and commercial market until I booked my first studio film, “Dolphin Tale”, which shot in Clearwater, FL. Only 40 minutes from my home. I learned so much on this set but it was the experience of being able to go golfing with Morgan Freeman which changed everything for me. Morgan’s double/stand-in Richard Cohee set it all up and even suggested I pitched the film I was writing to Morgan on the ride home. Morgan loved the idea and set me up to speak with his manager the next day. It was on the last day of filming that Mr. Freeman shook my hand and told me if I was serious about acting and filmmaking, I needed to move to Los Angeles.

Two months later, I did just that. You can call it beginners luck or what have you but I booked the first audition I ever had in Los Angeles. It was for a web series that only a year later turned into a feature film. While shooting, I was also able to work on different commercials and small projects on the days off. It wasn’t until year three that I hit my first major snag / plateau. Of course, being three years in and this being my first major setback, I was devastated and I learned what being a full-time actor is all about, haha. It wasn’t until I was able to work with James Marsden on the set of “Westworld”, that my mindset and career started to get better. James and I quickly bonded and he gave me three pillars of advice to live by as an actor, that I still use to this day. After that experience, my mindset and drive were in a great place, and I started booking again. Todd Phillip’s film “War Dogs”, was a huge win for me and brought a lot of attention my way. I’ve been working as a full-time actor ever since and enjoy every moment of it.

The pandemic, like the rest of the world, changed everything for me. The momentum I built was instantly stalled and the entire industry shifted in a direction that did not benefit me. Even my manager and agent told me, times would be rough for a while, as they were no longer seeing roles that fit my persona. So, I said screw it and began writing and producing my own projects. During covid time, I was able to write, direct and act in my film “Consequences”, which comes out later this year. The experience was one of a lifetime and has set the stage for my future. Luckily enough things balanced out in the industry and I started booking again. Working on shows like Fox’s “9-1-1” and HBO’s “Minx” & “Generations”. My drive has never wavered and my passion is stronger than ever before. September will be 12 years for me living and going after my dreams here in Los Angeles, yet I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface and the best is yet to come.

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?
I’d say the hardest thing in the beginning for me was learning the city of Los Angeles, how it worked, how the industry worked (very different than the Florida market), and surviving all those parking tickets! After that, once the plateau hit, the weighing rejection and lack of booking took its toll. As it does to all actors. But passion and resiliency was key, like my mother always said, you have to have rhino skin out here. Currently, the biggest obstacles are just the state of the industry in general. With constant turmoil, social media harassment, ongoing contract negotiations and strikes. As well as the lack of creativity with all the remakes and the agendas being pushed rather than focusing on telling great stories. I do believe we are coming to an end to all that and I am very excited for what is next.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an entertainment jack of all trades but make most of my living from Acting. So my official title is Actor / Writer / Director, but I also produce, model, as well as write, perform and record music. So far I’m most proud of my film “Consequences’ but I get the most praise from my role in the film “War Dogs’. What sets me apart from others is my creative original ideas Ala my production company is named Original Mind Productions. But also my personality and vivaciousness. People always tell me I’m a one-of-a-kind guy that lights up any room. So I pride myself on that and make sure that I leave my mark wherever I go.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Well, even after 12 years, I still don’t claim Los Angeles as my city. Tampa is my city. But since this is voyage LA and I have been living and working here for over a decade, let’s talk LA. For me, the best part about LA is the variety of things to do. You can go surfing, which I do, and snowboarding in the same day. I don’t know very many places that you can do that at. Plus, there’s always something new to do out here, a new restaurant, a new event, a sporting event, a concert, etc. Oh, and definitely the weather, although lately it’s been crazy, haha. Definitely don’t miss the Florida humidity.

The worst part of LA has to be all the crime, traffic, homelessness, selfishness of the people, and lack of community in my field. Coming out here I believed I was going to find an amazing group of like-minded actors with the same goals. A group I could rely on and we all could help each other. After 12 years, I am still shocked that Actors don’t have a better community. At least in my experience. Very selfish people that are users and only give the value of people based on what they can do for them. I pride myself on never being that way and still to this day give free advice and even try to help other actors book gigs and find great opportunities. I don’t do this for anything in return, but man would it be nice if more people were like me with this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3702531/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randyjayburrell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandyRanManBurrell/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RandyJayBurrell
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPvuiI3ceBGxuC4YxH_El8A