We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jesse Vilinsky. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Jesse, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
On a weekday, I get in a workout first thing while listening to nostalgic 2000s alternative rock. Then I make coffee and breakfast and take some time to savor it. Then I take a look at my todo list – which could be auditions to get done, recording sessions, files to upload, emails to answer or remembering to order vitamins :P.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a voice actor. I like to say I’m a journeyman voice actor. I work on pretty much anything that requires a voice, whether that be audiobooks, video games, animation, dubbing, commercials or ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording/Replacement) for film and television. You probably have never known it was me, but I guarantee you’ve heard my voice. I broke into the voiceover industry doing voicematching for various on-camera actors, and parlayed that into ADR and then worked on building my character repertoire and enhancing my vocal range. From there I’ve recorded over 350 audiobooks, been Playable Characters in some of the most high profile video games, gotten to guest and co-star in amazing animated shows and had my voice be a part of over 70 films and television shows. I’ve won 2 Audie Awards (the Oscars of audiobooks) for my audiobook narrations, numerous Audiofile Magazine Earphones Awards and 2 Voice Arts Awards. I’m sought after for my vocal malleability, as well as my accent work, and my ability to provide realistic children and teen voices. I feel very lucky that I get to collaborate with some of the greatest creatives in the industry and that I get to do this job every day.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My mother. She was a single mom in the 80s, in New York City. She worked so hard to provide a life for us where I never felt wanting. For example, when I wanted to play Little League – not only did she make it happen for me, she trained to be an umpire, and became the the Head Umpire of West Side Little League. She worked a lot of late nights, but was at every karate test, every school play, ever baseball game. She is the hardest working, most dedicated person I know. I wouldn’t have a modicum of the success I have today without having watched her. My work ethic is her work ethic, and I couldn’t be prouder of that.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were a few times honestly. When I graduated college, I thought I wanted to be an on-camera actor. But when I got out on my own, and had bills to pay, and every door seemed closed shut, or too hard to figure out how to open, I really tried to rationalize if there was anything else I could see myself doing. And when I thought about getting an office job, or being a restaurant manager (I worked in restaurants for 12 years), or anything other than being an actor, I just couldn’t fathom it. I came to realize I was put on this planet to create, and the only way I know how to do that is to embody some part of the human experience. Whether it be silly, sincere or horrifying. It is all fascinating and worthy of portrayal, and I cannot imagine doing anything else.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Them. And my family. And honestly, my close friends are my family. I truly believe the interpersonal relationships we have shape us and can guide us as humans. They are the most valuable thing there is.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say something I created made them feel something. Whether it be they loved it or hated it, or it enhanced some part of their life, or it scared the crap out of them, I hope I’ve had an affect in some way. And I hope they say that I as a person brought them joy overall. I hope they’ll say that I was sometimes incredibly goofy, and deceptively profound. And that I would always guilt them into having dessert.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://JesseVilinsky.com
- Instagram: @jsvilinsky
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessevilinsky
- Twitter: @jessevnyc
- Youtube: @jessevilinskyvo
