Meet Francisco DeCun

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco DeCun.

Hi Francisco, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where I lived with my parents and siblings until we moved to Miami, FL, when I was seven. As a young boy, I was drawn to the arts, possibly influenced by my mother’s mom, a painter, and my father’s dad, an actor. When I came across comic books, specifically those featuring Superman, I immediately connected with the character (possibly the blue eyes & black hair and feelings of slight alienation when moving from PR to Miami). With the graphic art now inspiring my own artwork, I spent all my free time drawing. It was pretty much all I did until my art classes introduced me to some young musicians… then a new obsession took over. I began playing drums at 13, shifting my focus from drawing solo to writing and performing songs with my first band, Local Story. An alternative rock/pop punk group, we played hundreds of shows in Miami, eventually deciding to move to Los Angeles to pursue our dreams. When Local Story split up, my good friend & bass player Nic Speck and I joined LA group Run Run Run. We were lucky enough to tour all over the United States and parts of Canada, but our biggest success was in Russia. We had the pleasure to travel & perform in some fantastic cities, including Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, and others, accompanied by the fantastic & legendary Russian rock group Mumiy Troll. After 10 years, 4 albums, and playing incredible shows with the likes of New Order, Good Charlotte, Pink, and countless others, Run Run Run decided to take an indefinite break. 

For the first time since I was a kid, I was solo. I decided to release my own music under the name Tru Cisco and was lucky enough to land a small record deal and play dozens of shows in the LA area. Then… I burnt out from music. I needed a break from the non-stop hustle. So, in 2016, I decided to try something I’ve always wanted to do, like my grandpa… try my hand at acting. 

I joined the Actors Workout Studio, a Meisner-based acting studio down the street from my place in the NoHo Arts District. I instantly fell in love with the work. In so many ways similar to my art & my music, yet so different and satisfying in a new way. After two years of taking as many classes as I could (in addition the usual weekly class, they offered bonus classes in comedy improv, audition/taping, and private coaching), I decided it was time to start submitting to projects. With beginner’s luck, I booked my first submission for a UCLA student film titled “No Country Club for Assassins.” We had such a blast! So, of course, I continued to submit and continued to book fun roles in both short films and small commercials. 

In 2018, I booked my first feature film, When Women Rule The World. It was quite an adventure! We were shooting on location in Valley of Fire, Nevada, and since we were shooting in the summer, it was aptly named! It would get so hot we had to split the days at noon when the temperatures would reach 114 Fahrenheit! But still, I was so excited to book a lead in an indie feature film. I played the antagonist of the film, Michael Bray, and boy was it fun! 

Since then, I’ve been lucky to be on hundreds of sets, from commercials to short films to feature films. A few notable films from the past year include “Under,” in which I play a crooked southern detective, “Inner Demons’,” in which I play the new love interest of troubled woman, “The Serenade Charade,” in which I play the right-hand man to the villain, and “The Risk Rule,” in which I play a senator’s driver. As a native Spanish speaker, I’ve also had the pleasure of booking bilingual roles. Most recently, speaking a lot of Spanglish in the indie film “A Drink To Puerto Rico.” 

As of this month, I’ve officially joined SAG, so I’m very excited to see what the new year brings and meet all the new challenges that come with it! 

I still have a love for my art & music, and I’ve been lucky to be able to bring these skills to my acting life. I’ve composed a few scores and themes for films & TV, including “A Drink To Puerto Rico”, “The Serenade Charade”, and “Living with Frankenstein”. I’ve also had the pleasure of creating artwork for films, most recently a movie poster for “The Risk Rule” and doing the comic book artwork in the short film “Hand-Drawn.” 

I’m happily married to my beautiful wife, Shelby, and we live with our two cats, Moon & Remus. I’m represented by Elton Bolden at Tilmar Talent and Stefan Jacobs at Catapult Management. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a musician, specifically a drummer, I became used to not just the emotional struggle but the physical struggle. When we first started touring, it was a van. Driving from city to city, night after night, staying at random motels or fan’s homes, lugging my drums upstairs or through crowded clubs… it was exhausting. But the love of music and my bandmates was all worth it! When I started acting, it was a different kind of struggle. Driving across town for a 3-minute audition, never knowing if you even did well (unless you booked, of course!). Then the self-tape era began… multiple tapes a day, never knowing if your tape is watched in full (or at all!). It’s a different kind of exhausting! But honestly, it’s all fun. Getting to play a new character every time you tape… and how satisfying when you book and feel like a pro! 

So yea the struggle is real, but that’s the artist life. No regrets! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an actor, musician, and artist. Having spent years at each one of these crafts, I have a unique perspective on filmmaking. As a comic book artist, you’re the cinematographer, casting director, special effects team, wardrobe, set dresser… comics are basically glorified storyboards! As a musician, you understand timing, mood, balance & contrast… a good album feels similar to a good movie! So, I always try to bring in my art & music skills to my acting life. 

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is important. People who support your dream, that is invaluable. When you find someone who thinks like you and is a few years ahead, listen to them! 

Contact Info:

• Website: trucisco.com
• Instagram: @tru_cisco
• Youtube: YouTube.com/@tru_cisco

Image Credits
Paul Gregory Photography