Conversations with Charlotte Bjornbak

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Bjornbak.

Hi Charlotte, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I actually began my creative journey far from Hollywood—on stage in Denmark. Theater was my first love, and those early stage performances, shaped not only my craft, but also my understanding of storytelling. After moving to the U.S., I continued training with a variety of acting schools and coaches, each of whom helped me broaden my abilities as a performer.

Like many actors, I quickly learned that breaking into major TV and film roles takes time, persistence, and resilience. I knew I needed another path that would both support my career and keep me creatively fulfilled. That’s when my best friend, Bea Egeto, and I co-founded The Bunker Experience in Pasadena—an immersive escape-game adventure designed to blend narrative, performance, and physical interaction. Building that world from the ground up allowed me to be financially independent and continue performing. It became the perfect intersection of my passions: acting and entrepreneurship.

As my career evolved, I kept challenging myself artistically. I dove deeper into stage combat, sword fighting, creature work, and eventually Filipino martial arts Balintawak—disciplines that pushed me physically and expanded the kinds of characters I could embody. Those new skills fed my creativity in unexpected ways and shown me how my I am truly capable of.

My passion for storytelling grew alongside everything else. Inspired by the immersive world of escape rooms and my own experiences as a performer, I began writing. When the pandemic shut everything down, writing became my outlet. What started as short stories eventually led me to create and produce my first short film, Captive.

Today, I feel like everything I’ve done—acting, fight work, martial arts, writing and entrepreneurship—feeds into a larger creative vision. I’m still evolving, still hungry to grow, and still motivated by the same thing that pulled me onstage in Denmark years ago: the joy of telling stories that make people feel something.

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?
The road definitely hasn’t been easy. The acting industry is filled with rejection—more than most people ever see—and the competition can feel overwhelming. Early on, I had to learn to tune out the noise, trust my own timeline, and avoid the trap of comparing myself to others. It took time to accept that I’m not for everyone, and that’s okay. There’s a kind of freedom that comes with realizing your uniqueness is your greatest strength. Only I can do what I do, and staying grounded in that, has helped me move forward even when the path felt uncertain.

Starting my own business came with an entirely different set of challenges. Co-founding The Bunker Experience with my best friend was thrilling, but also terrifying. We put everything we had—literally all of our savings—into bringing this idea to life. There were moments when we questioned if we were completely crazy. But sometimes you have to take the leap before you feel ready, especially when you believe deeply in what you’re creating. Looking back, that risk was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It taught me resilience, and the importance of betting on yourself even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

Both the acting world and entrepreneurship have pushed me outside my comfort zone again and again. But each challenge has shaped me, strengthened me, and reminded me why I chose this path in the first place—to create, to tell stories, and to keep growing no matter what obstacles show up along the way.

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?
My work has always existed in storytelling, performance, and physicality. As an actor, I’ve been fortunate to perform in both television shows and feature films, taking on roles that challenge me. I’m known for bringing intensity, range and full-body storytelling to my characters, whether the role is grounded or fantastical.

Outside of acting, writing has become another major focus of my creative life. One of the projects I’m most proud of is the audiobook “Surviving Dachau” I wrote about my grandfather’s capture during WWII. He was part of the Danish resistance and survived imprisonment in Dachau—a chapter of his life he rarely spoke about. I felt a responsibility to preserve and honor that history. With the help of my dad, I was able to piece together his journey and share a story that speaks to resilience, courage, and the human spirit. Knowing that this piece of family history is no longer silent—and that others can learn from it—means more to me than I can put into words.

I’m also proud of producing my short film Captive that has won numerous awards, and continuing to build creative experiences through The Bunker Experience. Each project, whether on stage, on screen, or on the page, reflects my belief that storytelling can be immersive, emotional, and transformative.

What I’m most proud of, though, is that I never gave up. This industry tests you constantly, and so does entrepreneurship. But every challenge has pushed me to grow stronger, stay curious, and keep moving forward. If there’s anything that sets me apart, it’s that I try to lead by example. I want people to see my journey and feel encouraged to take a chance on their own dreams, to invest in themselves, and to trust that perseverance can take you further than you ever imagined.

At the end of the day, everything I do—acting, fight work, writing, producing, entrepreneurship—is driven by the same purpose: to tell stories that move people, inspire them, and remind them of what’s possible when you refuse to let fear decide your future

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I’m happiest when I’m challenging myself. I love stepping into new opportunities that push me to grow, whether that means learning a new skill, taking on a role that scares me a little, or diving into a project I’ve never attempted before. Those moments of stretching beyond what I already know.
At the same time, I’ve learned that allowing for “me-time” is just as essential. Nature is my reset button—whether I’m hiking or simply going for a walk, helps me reconnect with myself and quiet the noise. Meditation and yoga are also important parts of my routine. They keep me grounded, centered, and present, especially in an industry that can feel so chaotic and unpredictable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebunkerexperience.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbjornbak1/