Today we’d like to introduce you to Chase Yi.
Hi Chase, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I work in many different mediums now, but what brought me to everything was acting. I grew up in Kalamazoo, MI, and started acting in my high school plays and musicals. That led me to my first film role in a movie called The Lake Effect. I then signed with an agent in Chicago and landed more movie roles in MI before packing up my car after high school and moving to Los Angeles. That was back in 2010. I’m 32 years old now and I’m just now making a living as an actor and artist. It’s been a long road with more disappointments than triumphs, but I’m still here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. I think the biggest struggle was losing my mom to cancer in 2014. She had been sick for a few years prior, and navigating her illness and my own dreams were extremely complicated. After she passed, I decided to go back to college and get a degree. Eventually, I got back into acting, simply as a way to make a living since I had a skill for it. I’ve lost agents, managers, great connections along the way. I’ve had to start over so many times. I’ve worked countless dead-end jobs. I was homeless for two years, living in my car. I’ve faced many bouts of depression and contemplated the purpose of my life. Disappointment has been a recurring theme for me, and I suppose you get used to it after a while, and if you’re lucky, you learn from it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well, my main profession is acting. I have a career as an actor in commercials, film, and television. I’ve mostly done smaller roles on TV (co-stars & guest stars). And just recently played a recurring role in a new season of a show called Mythic Quest on Apple TV. Funny enough, I play an artist named “Storm,” and outside of acting, that’s what I do–I’m a painter and photographer.
I specialize in contemporary abstract oil paintings. I do creative portraits. I like to mix my poetry background into what I make, as well as photographs to make collages–anything thought-provoking and emotional toward deeper themes of life and time. And I think what sets me apart from others is my love for poetry. Aside from acting, I didn’t understand the meaning of art and universality until I discovered the power of poetry. It taught me how to translate personal feelings and ideas into a universal way, and I try to embody that in everything I do, whether it’s a role on TV, a painting, a photograph, a film I write and shoot, anything. Poetry is the thread that ties everything together.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Gosh, I have so many people to thank, and who deserve credit for the man I am today.
My mother, of course. Her life and death gave me life. I was born twice because of her, and even from heaven, she still guides me and gives me wisdom beyond my own capabilities.
My father has always been my champion and creative genius to bounce funny ideas off of.
My Aunt and Uncle helped raise me and serve as another set of parents.
My high school drama teacher, Kathy Mulay, fostered my acting talent and showed me that I was capable of growth and talent as an actor.
My dear friend Bob Cicchini and his wife Jeannine and their daughter Angelina serve as my family in Los Angeles and have always given me a place to call home. He is also a talented veteran actor and has given me valuable advice on how to live as an artist.
My best friend, Josh Wordel, has been my creative partner and most trusted ally since I was 4 years old. Him and his wife Laura live in LA and have always supported me.
My dear friend Mandy Ortiz and her family have shown me how to integrate my life as an Angeleno. Their grit and success have taught me how to give and to receive.
My first agent in Chicago, Oliver Al, has believed inme since day one and has been a true friend to me throughout my darkest times.
My current agent, Shawn Brogan, helped kickstart my career from scratch, and we have worked together on some incredible projects–always making progress despite the odds and setbacks.
My good friend Mike Friedman has taught me how to be true to myself and to always keep creating.
My wonderful girlfriend, Ellodee, and her family inspire me every day with their creativity and hustle as working actors and artists in a tough city.
Of course, I’m not mentioning my other family members and countless other friends who are a part of this list, but otherwise, this would never end.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.filmpoetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaseyi_/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3524780/
Image Credits
Chase Yi
