Conversations with Jock McKissic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jock McKissic.

Hi Jock, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Alabama, and my first stage was the church pulpit — not preaching, but performing in plays and reciting speeches. That was where the seed was planted. I went on to play college football, but even during that time, the pull toward storytelling never left me. After hanging up the cleats, I dove headfirst into acting. I spent years training with some of the top coaches in ATL & L.A. and grinding in theater, which gave me my foundation.

Over time, I began booking more on-camera work, and eventually, and 60+ credits later, I’m living my dream.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, and I don’t think it’s supposed to be. The road’s had more bumps than smooth patches, honestly. Coming from the South, stepping into an industry that didn’t always have space for someone who looked like me or talked like me, had to carve out room. There were seasons where I was working overnight jobs, sleeping in my car between auditions, and still trying to stay sharp in class.

There were also roles I didn’t get, projects that fell through — even moments where I started doubting if I was being seen at all. But every no taught me something. Every closed door forced me to build my own. That’s why I’ve continued writing & producing — to create the stories I wasn’t seeing, and the opportunities I wasn’t getting.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actor, of course — but more importantly, I’m a storyteller. I specialize in authenticity. My work is about inviting people into the world of a 6’7” Black man and then surprising them — peeling back layers they didn’t expect to see, or maybe didn’t believe could exist.

I bring depth to characters who are often misunderstood or boxed in. Whether I’m playing someone soft-spoken or explosive, joyful or haunted, I’m always searching for the truth underneath. That’s where the power is.

At the end of the day, my gift isn’t just in portraying a character — it’s in disarming an audience, getting them to feel something real, and maybe even shifting the way they see someone who looks like me.

I’m most known for my roles of Alan Underwood in Your Honor, or Big Hush in Mayor of Kingstown. I’m most proud of the fact that I set out to accomplish something at a young age & I’m still doing so.

How do you think about luck?
I’m a firm believer that luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity. So, I’ve done my best remain prepared and ready for the wonderful possibilities life presents.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Jayfifty
• LinkedIn: Jock McKissic
• Twitter: Jayfifty

Image Credits
Alex Kasparian