Daily Inspiration: Meet Tobias Forrest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tobias Forrest

Hi Tobias, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in San Francisco, raised in Hawaii, and have lived in several states. After graduating from Valley Forge Military Academy, I attended Northern Arizona University to focus on music and art. A few months after graduating, I had a C5 spinal cord injury diving off of a waterfall into shallow water at the Grand Canyon. Fortunately, I was saved through the efforts of many strangers and bounced back with a positive sense of humor and a passion to create. Following rehab, I began painting and went back to school to get an MS in psychology. Then, I had the opportunity to move to California and do research at UCLA. Soon after I was told about a Christopher Reeve Acting Scholarship and was encouraged to try out. It was my first audition, and I ended up winning the award, which changed my life and direction. 20 years later, in 2023, I won the first Christopher Reeve Acting Award at the Media Access Awards for my role as “Patrick” in the film “Daruma.” Since moving to California, I also became an accessibility consultant, began playing music again and found work as a performer. I have been featured in the “Academy Awards” choir, and credits include” Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “How To Get Away With Murder,” “Queen Sugar,” ”Good Trouble,” “Special Unit,” “Wisdom of the Crowd,” “The Sessions,” “Weeds,” “Coffee Wars” and more. I also starred onstage in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Cost of Living” as well as “Colossal,” “Pyretown” and others. Plus, my short film “Dead End Drive” has won several awards, including Best Short Film at CIFF. I have been the lead singer for the band Cityzen, done audio description for TV shows, characters for animation, narration for audiobooks, and an MC for nonprofit events. I consider myself very lucky not only to have survived my accident but also to have had so many amazing experiences. I hope to create more inclusive projects that can accurately represent disability and provide opportunities for other performers with disabilities like myself. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The life of anyone with a disability, especially a high-level spinal cord injury, can be extremely difficult for several reasons. There are unforeseen medical issues, health and time management, relying on others for basic needs, and so much more. The life of a performer is also one that can be extremely difficult, requiring a lot of patience, persistence, and perseverance. As a performer with a disability, I am also limited by the perceptions of other people, especially in the entertainment industry. There are endless stories, and it has definitely been a road of hills and valleys, but sometimes the struggle makes the reward even more enjoyable. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Although I am primarily an actor, my background stems from multiple areas, so I might be best known for the diversity of things that I do. Some people may know me for my work in the accessibility field, others know me as a singer, comedian, artist, or writer. I guess I am your typical Hollywood slasher, actor/singer/writer/etc. But I guess the real truth is that I love to be creative, no matter what medium. If there was anything that might set me apart, it is that I believe everyone has a unique quality and talent that deserves to be shared, so I’m willing to be an example of that. But maybe, and hopefully, that is actually something that makes me more like others. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My young childhood was on the island of Maui, and I was immersed in nature every day. My personality, body type, agility, and pretty much everything else was just like Mowgli from The Jungle Book. I climbed every tree I saw, jumped off every rock I could, and swam in the ocean as often as possible. My daring attitude and love for nature have never dissipated, so I’m pretty much the same person today. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2574603
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobiaseasyforrest
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cityzen-sc/sets/invisible-mental-tentacles