Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberto Melgar.
Hi Roberto, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, a Valley boy true and through. I am a first-generation American, with my parents immigrating from Mexico and El Salvador. Acting was something that has always been presented to me, but as a kid, I wanted to focus more on sports. Through college, I played football at Sacramento State and got my degree in economics. After graduating, I came home and joined the family restaurant business. Things were going great, but I felt there was something missing and I wasn’t living my purpose. Soon after, the legendary commercial acting coach Killian McHugh came into the restaurant and convinced me to take a couple of classes. From there I was hooked and fell in love with it, which eventually led me to the theatrical lane. Since then, I’ve been working on the craft and enjoying the process of bringing stories to life. I have such an immense passion for acting and being able to make people feel something or give them something to think about.
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?
So far, the tire tread is still in great condition. There’s always a couple of bumps on the road but for the most part, it’s been smooth. I think the biggest thing was having a career change and entering the industry a little later in life. I’ve had to do some catching up, but thankfully through sports, I learned strong values in dedication and ambition, being extra diligent in my work ethic. Getting those 10,000 hours in! Also, I’m thankful for my support system, from my family to friends, my coach, and of course my acting community. Having their belief and support gives me all the ammunition to do what I do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think becoming an actor at a later time in my life was beneficial for me. I’ve had many life experiences, highs and lows, and had a good sense of who I was as a man, which in turn helped me discover what kind of actor I am and what stories I’d love to tell. I’ve always been a big fan of noir, detective, thriller movies, so evidently those are the avenues I look out for most! But ain’t nothing wrong with a romcom in there. That being said I’ve been on a couple of those projects, such as ‘Night Blooming Cereus’ directed by Lana Wang and ‘Invasion” directed by O.G Ellison. And currently, I’m producing and acting in a project with O.G Ellison incorporating it all, which we are very excited about, so be on the lookout! I’m also HUGE on plays, mannn I truly love and enjoy them. And I have to give a big shout-out to my coach Max Decker for putting me on. Studying with him and being part of MAD studios has propelled me forward, and even gave me the opportunity to be in my first play. We put on ‘Clown Bar’ by Adam Szymkowicz last year at the iconic Hudson Theatre, and wow what an experience, so I’m extremely thankful for my community. I’d love at some point to have a stint on Broadway and put up Pulitzer material.
Lastly, I think being the son of such cultured parents was also a blessing, as Spanish is my first language and always being around my Latino heritage, it gives me a big avenue these days, as more and more of my people’s stories are being told. I am extremely proud of my culture and the fight my family has had to achieve the american dream. I want to make sure I tell their stories and many others who are similar, giving the world a new perspective and understanding. I want to continue to share those stories and give more light to my Latinx community!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: rjmelgar7
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rj.melgar.188
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11218432/
Image Credits
Evan Engel Jenn The Jack Erroll Haymon
