Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Rhodes.
Hi Matthew, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since I was young I have been drawn to live performances. On screen and on stage. I used to sneak into New York City from New Jersey and go see theater, from small off-off Broadway houses to Broadway. I eventually got up on stage myself doing about 20 productions of plays and musicals into my early 30’s. Many were Civic Light Opera level. I would do these while I held my full time job.
Growing up I also was influenced by film. From watching Rosemary’s Baby way too young, and keeping my eyes open through that last terrifying scene. To Jack Nicholson creating chaos and freedom for inmates in an insane asylum in Cuckoo’s Nest. To feeling the horror of a Lindbergh-baby style kidnapping in the opening of Murder On The Orient Express. To the family tragedy of losing a son and brother in Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. To the opening of Star Wars that started a voyage into one of the greatest journey’s across the universe… I was captivated by how film can affect you in a movie house. It really can take you anywhere and everywhere. I always thought how amazing it would be to so something like that someday.
My work life took me into a Marketing career for Hi Tech and Big Pharma nationally and globally. I got to design and build cities of exhibits in big Halls, produce events, manage meeting planning, housing, and entertain all kinds of Doctors. I got to learn and use multiple languages and become familiar with much of the United States and many of the great cities of the world. That was an invaluable time for me. I got to explore so many parts of this globe.
On 9/11 I had friends that were directly impacted. I was just back from Europe and very near the Twin Towers that day. It was shocking and horrible in every way. Every day after for at least 2 or 3 weeks there were stories of either great tragedy or great heroism with my friends and colleagues… and strangers I met. So many people opened up to each other with care and generosity of spirit during this time.
Work unfortunately came to a stop for awhile as my industry was reeling and then began shrinking in the aftermath of it all. I wound up making a career transition, so I moved to Los Angeles in 2002 and eventually started my own business. It took 14 more years before I would make the leap into my dream as a professional Actor.
As I began pursuing my Acting career, I first built a foundation for on-camera work with The Scott Sedita Studio in Larchmont. Before I knew it I had my first TV job. I also worked on discovering what I offered to the industry (the types of roles that I’d be a natural to play), I shot headshots, and uploaded my online profiles. Within the hour of posting my Backstage account I had 2 film offers. Since then I have been in close to 100 short films, 5 features, a number of TV episodes and pilots, a sketch comedy show on HBO Max, and a handful of commercials. I’ve also worked on stage in Los Angeles. So the dream actually took off like the opening Star Wars symphony.
Recently I had the opportunity to work with the legendary John Patrick Shanley, who won the Oscar (for Moonstruck), Pulitzer Prize (for Doubt), and Tony Award winning writer of over 22 plays. He has directed Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Timothee Chalamet. Also I was cast in a recurring role for a network Original Series that will drop this year.
Over these years I’ve been happily selected to be a part of many film festivals. So much work goes into each film, no matter the length or budget of the project, where it makes it that much sweeter to be able to celebrate the films along with other filmmakers at these festivals. At times we would be up for nominations and win awards for our work. It’s an exciting part of being an Actor-Filmmaker.
I love creating film and telling all kinds of stories through characters. My characters range from different kinds of Dads to Loners, Survivors, Breaking Bad types, to Detectives, Mentors, Therapists, to Sociopaths, Killers, and Jack Nicholson type creepy roles.
Currently I just opened in a play at The Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles. Working with Playwright-Director, Todd Felderstein, in the first staged adaptation of Dan Millman’s book WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR. We run through the end of May.
My goal is to work successfully in Film, TV, and Stage. To help create content for the changing ways the world consumes entertainment. It’s something else to be able to actually pursue one’s dream. I can’t say it’s easy, but I believe you ride a wave of joy through it all.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been interesting. Actually I’m finding that pursuing your dream with the right motivation mixed with courage, curiosity, gratefulness, focus, and a feeling of destiny makes the road feel smooth. Another important quality has been the ability to be teachable, especially at my age. Going into training, often being the oldest in the class, has never discouraged me.
There are many obstacles and challenges along the way. No doubt I can tell a story or two. But I do have joy in the process, in the outcomes, in the wins, in the losses, in the achievements. And some of my wins have been dreams coming true.
I have learned to self assess my skills, my strengths, and weaknesses. I make mistakes. I also try to be better in every way. I love to collaborate with other artists where we share the same vision and work together.
One of the struggles I faced was being able to identify red flags sooner and act on that. This could have helped me avoid some of the very bad set experiences along the way where there were harmful environments. There weren’t many, but there were a few. Once you get better at seeing the red flags, you make better decisions for yourself and others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an Actor pursuing a career in Film and Television.
As an actor you learn what your sweetspots are. What you walk in the room with that makes you unique. You learn how that comes through in characters that you play. It’s a fascinating process. I have 4 sweetspots where I don’t have to do much to make those type of characters impactful. One is playing estranged-widowed fathers/husbands who have struggled and eventually come through hell and back. They also may be loners and survivors. I carry a sense of mystery and danger as well, which allows me to play conflicted characters. I’m able to bring redemptive qualities to a role as well as layers of compassion. This helps me play roles of struggle, tragedy, grief, yearning and pain with impact.
Another sweetspot I play are almost any role Jack Nicholson has played. Especially in the “creepy” arena. Like The Shining’s Jack Torance. Or Walter White in Breaking Bad. Or John Doe in Fincher’s Seven.
I also play the millionaire, billionaire types like a Logan Roy in Succession.
Another sweetspot is being able to play authority figures, leaders, mentors, teachers, therapists who may have gone through a lot in life and are now able to give back to others.
I’m known for being able to take a character to his worst condition and bring him through redemption. I can handle a strong range of intensity and emotion in character. I love the challenges acting brings!
I know I am unique, so I don’t ever compare myself to other actors. I truly love seeing what other actors can do. And if they’re good, I want to work with them! The same goes with Directors. I love working with Directors and seeing the shared vision come to life along with Cinematographers and all of the other artists who contribute to the project. I really enjoy the team work.
I am most proud of the courage I’ve developed to work with some of the best talents in the industry, like John Patrick Shanley. And being able to step into a challenging role with vision and excitement.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’ve been in Los Angeles for 23 years now. I’ve lived most of that time in Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Koreatown. I like the uniqueness of the neighborhoods.
I like that the city is filled with creatives and entrepreneurs. People pursuing their dreams in all forms of creativity. Art, writing, producing, acting, directing, camera work, sound, lighting, wardrobe, film festivals, PR, representation, legal, studios, networks. You can feel that energy almost everywhere in LA. That is what makes Los Angeles special.
It’s hard to see your city suffer. Experiencing the fires in January were very hard. I had many friends lose their homes. I was working just down the street when they started and my work was also impacted. It’s hard to see the industry suffer from the shifts in production and events that have rocked us these last years.
But I am optimistic. I hope Los Angeles and the entertainment industry gets stronger, better, and more fulfilling for those that want to pursue successful careers here.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photographers:
Zachary Smith, BK Headshots,
Natalie Ford, Nathan Coenen,
Adam Crampsey
In Photos:
John Patrick Shanley, Annabeth Gish
