Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Fellows.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, grew up as an only child in an Italian/ Swedish / English household. I was a pretty active kid and loved athletics. At a young age of eight, I gained a huge passion for the game of basketball and my idol Michael Jordan! I dedicated myself to the sport and it would eventually earn myself the position of starting point guard on my Varsity High School basketball team.
Going into my senior year, an injury had put a hold on my basketball career and also opened my eyes up to other possibilities in life. I was introduced to a modeling agency in Georgetown, DC as a possible back up plan in the fashion/entertainment industry. I ended up signing a contract and began working as a model doing ads and catalogue in the local area. This wasn’t at all my first dream and I wasn’t sure if it was something that fully interested me at all but it was something to pay the bills and make some extra cash while trying to figure out this thing we call life. I eventually started to gather more of an interest in it and I relocated to New York City and told myself what the heck I seem to have a knack for this industry so let’s give this modeling and acting thing a shot. I was fascinated by the bustling city life and the grueling pace of NYC. I managed to study acting in between modeling auditions and casting calls. I was fortunate enough to book jobs and I appeared in print work and commercials for numerous different designers, companies and products such as Macy’s, Noxzema, Nivea, GQ mag, Cosomo Mag, American Crew, Levis, Lee Jeans, etc.
In order to truly succeed in the entertainment industry, I contemplated moving to Los Angeles. Following the tragic events on September 11th, 2001, So my eyes on Los Angeles were sharpened. LA here I come baby!! The move to Los Angeles proved to be well worth it. Before I knew it, I landed huge commercial campaigns for Verizon wireless, Chevy, Miller lite, Gillette, and a world campaign for Pom Wonderful. Along with my print and commercials, I had also graced the screen in many music videos. I have played the love interest to huge stars such as Jennifer Lopez “Me Haces Falta”, Katharine McPhee “Love Story”, Lindsay Lohan “Rumors”, and Dido “Sand in my Shoes”. After establishing myself in the music video industry, I decided to make major moves in my acting career. Over the years, I have appeared in several TV shows and films including “CSI: NY”, “NCIS: Los Angeles”, Major recurring “Days of our Lives”, and presently a Series Regular on the Amazon Prime Emmy Winning Series “The Bay”. My past film work include… Bonnie and Cylde “Justified”.. Rounds and the indie hit “American Cowslip” that I played alongside the Legendary actor’s Peter Falk, Cloris Leachman, Rip Torn, Diane Ladd, Bruce Dern and Val Kilmer.. the amazon prime hit Texas Heart (2016), in (2017) my dark comedy film “Jonny’s Sweet Revenge” that did very well in the festival circuit winning 14 awards was released worldwide and has done very well!
My film called “Being Rose” was released in (2019) were played alongside Legends Cybill Shepard and James Brolin playing Cybill Shepard’s son.. also in (2019) I starred in the hit Lifetime movie “My Daughters Ransom” playing the role of Frank. So far 2020 is hopefully set to be a STRONG and blessed year. In (2020) so far, I was also FORTUNATE enough to book and play myself /face and character Jonas Beil in the uber success video game franchise NBA 2K20 that has already been released. I have a new series I’m starring in called “Purgatory” as a series regular playing the edgy and mischievous character of Bobby and also have my two newly anticipated films Break Even and STARFCK’R all set to be released in the late 2020 / early 2021since there has been some set back with the cover-19 pandemic but I’m sending love and prayers to all of those that have fallen and have suffered from this tragic virus! Hopefully, there will resolve for this soon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Has it been a smooth ride? Ummm Definitely not… this is a very moment to moment business and that’s one thing I had to learn. When you first get into this business, you are such a fish out of water it’s hard to know what any of it really means. There isn’t like a book that you read telling you exactly what to expect or guidelines explaining the path of success. I mean there are many books out there and written for actors and people getting into the entertainment world but trust me there is no rime or reason for any of it. Some of my struggles I have had to deal with over the years is the one word we all hate that is.. NO!! You’re not right or not tall enough or not ethnic enough or you’re just not right for this or that!! Having to be told NO constantly has to be the toughest thing about this entertainment world! No one prepares you for that word! Especially how blunt it is dished out to you on a daily basis!
There is a quote that will stand the test of time in this biz and actually in this world..and I to this day still live by it.. it is.. “ONLY THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE” and to any new comers that I meet or have had the chance to lend a lil bit of advice to.. I have always left them with this quote. We all struggle from different things in life but this has been one quote that has led me to any of the success that I have had to this day. Also, another struggle has been not being with my family like my mom and my dad for many many years. That has been a tough thing for me to deal with but I still do the best I can to go see them and talk to them as much as possible!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m an Actor / Model and have been in the business for over 17 years. I’m known for my roles on Days of our Life as Troy Winston and roles on my hit amazon prime series “The Bay the series” as Damian Blackwell also for my film roles in “Being Rose” w/ Cybill Shepard and James Brolin where I played Cybill’s heron addicted, recovering addicted son Will also for my roles on “American Cowslip” as Rourke playing alongside Val Kilmer and Bruce Dern, Line Shaye, Cloris Leachman, Diane Ladd and Peter Falk. My Lifetime movie “My Daughters Ransom” as Frank and the video game NBA 2k20 as myself /character named Jonas Beil.
What were you like growing up?
Well, I wasn’t the easiest of kids! I was a hyper and rambunctious kid! I was still very loving and affectionate but had a little bit of a mouthy side to me when it comes to my parents. I have since apologized for my naughty childhood ways and have expressed my gratitude to my family and parents because if it wasn’t for them, I would have never gotten any of the chances that I have to this day. My parents did everything they could have to make sure I got at least a shot at this biz and in life in general. I love my mom and my dad and family for that matter deeply and am forever thankful for them.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikfellowsofficial/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actorErikFellows/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/erikfellows?lang=en
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1795464/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
Image Credit:
Photos all shot by @baker.photography81
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