Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Plotner.
Danny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, at my core I’m a goofy, nerdy midwestener. I grew up in southern Illinois only 20 minutes away from St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout my adolescence I played almost every sport I could with succeeding in soccer and volleyball. But I kept getting the feeling that I was different than my peers. Growing up I was drawn to super heroes, action/sci-fi stars and horror movies all the while realizing that my sexuality was different than my friend group. Being raised catholic and going to private school for twelve years of my life I didn’t have the opportunity or resources to understand who I was. As well as not having a very diverse group of friends that were interested in the same type of strange media that I enjoyed.
After graduating high school, I went to Illinois State University to pursue acting but quickly realized that I was incredibly bored in the theatre space because I knew I wanted to do tv & film. And so I moved back home to finish my associates in a community college to save up to move to Los Angeles.
Having called this city home for over a decade, I’ve been able to embrace who I am and what I love to do. During my time here, I’ve been fortunate enough to work on HBO’s Euphoria, become a series regular on a popular YouTube show, and contribute to amazing horror projects that truly fulfill me. I’ve also built an incredible network of friends and chosen family who have supported my growth, both lifting me up and keeping me grounded.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh it’s definitely been bumpy, but I’ve learned to view the challenges as valuable life experiences. In this industry, and in life generally, I see rejection as a gift. Being told “no” is actually a relief compared to never hearing back. The same applies to dating and making new connections – I encourage people to embrace rejection; each experience strengthens resilience and boosts confidence for future opportunities.
Along the way, there have been betrayals, losses, and friendships that have drifted apart. However, these heartbreaks have shaped me into who I am today, serving as essential character development. I often reflect on the quote, “Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice.” You can’t move forward if you constantly blame others or external factors for your circumstances. This career path, and the city itself, isn’t for the faint of heart.
Do yourself the favor and curate an intimate and loving friend circle. Find your chosen family. Hopefully one that creates and builds on top of each other. Stay vulnerable. And above all remind them how much you love them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While I wouldn’t label myself a “jack of all trades,” I am certainly interested in many things. I initially came to this city to pursue my passion for acting. Through experience, I’ve discovered my strengths lie in intense, high-stakes emotional scenes, whether it’s a life-threatening horror film or a “will they, won’t they” romantic drama. To put it simply, I can deliver powerful emotional performances aka this boy can really CRY!
More recently, I’ve become passionate about creature and body work through motion capture. I’ve taken classes and recently had the honor of wearing the suit, fulfilling a significant personal goal. I aspire to one day participate in a video game where I can use my imagination to create immense, fantastical worlds while maintaining an intimate theatrical presence.
Outside of acting, I enjoy interacting with my fans and friends on Twitch, a streaming platform where I play video games, particularly showcasing smaller horror titles from independent studios. Live streaming on Twitch is so exhilarating because you’re not only the talent, but also the director, DP, producer, and editor all at once! I’ve connected with many friends through this platform and look forward to continuing to contribute to its growth in the future.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was always the athletic nerd. I played sports all my childhood ranging from varsity soccer and volleyball to trying out basketball, baseball, field and track and such. In school I excelled in art and I was an honors student in my private Catholic schooling. And outside of that I was staying up late playing video games, watching sci-fi movies and reading comics before it was so relevant in pop culture. Thru those interests I came to realize my passion for acting and starting working my way thru roles in musical theater at school as well as community theaters in the area. Just a major goofball who dabbled in everything I could.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.me/dannyplotner
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyplots
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dannyplots
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/dannyplots
Image Credits
Headshots by Luke Fontana
Headshot (my hand in hair one) by Chris Jon
