Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackson Tropp.
Hi Jackson, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
If I could go back in time and tell 19-year-old Jackson that he would be a community college professor, actor, and filmmaker, he would say “sounds about right.” When I started community college as a student, I tried to take tons of different classes and figure out what I was interested in, and when I took my first theatre class, I was instantly bit by the acting bug, as they say. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I performed stage plays and studied theatre and electronic media, and when I got the opportunity to get my masters degree in Los Angeles, I jumped on it, knowing that I wanted to settle in the city of angels. During my graduate studies, I developed my acting craft in LA by taking classes with some of the best commercial and film acting teachers and completing improv training programs at some reputable comedy schools. I have a love for learning, and working in this industry allows me to continuously learn new techniques and skills.
If you work as an actor, people often tell you to “make your own content.” For a long time, I was resistant to that. I would respond “but I’m an actor, not a writer.” But after overcoming some trauma in my personal life, I came to the realization that I’m not just an actor, I’m a story teller. And I now had a story that I needed to tell. I started taking stand-up comedy classes and wrote a set that helped me find comedic relief in all that I had gone through. I received feedback from countless audiences, refined the jokes, and this comedy set was developed into a screenplay that became my first short film, What to Expect When You’re NOT Expecting. I found writing vulnerable, scary and thrilling. And directing gave me this unique opportunity to work with actors in a way that I hadn’t before. My first short had a successful festival run and I’m currently in preproduction on my second project now – a pilot/proof of concept for a series!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I hear award acceptance speeches from some of the most famous actors, I hear a common theme that nobody has had a smooth road to success in this industry. And in 2025, simply existing in Los Angeles is a struggle. I won’t lie and say any of this is easy; If it were easy to be a successful actor in LA, wouldn’t everyone choose that?! The truth is, it’s hard and it takes an incredible amount of grit and passion. I’ve faced some obstacles in acting and filmmaking that I think are worth mentioning.
As a developing actor, it feels like you’re supposed to follow some kind of path to success. And that’s exactly what I thought. I figured “if I take this class all the way through, then I’ll get to the next level.” Or “if I book this role, then the next one will of course be bigger and better!” But that’s not how it has played out. There have been times when I am flooded with auditions and times when I go weeks or months without any. I’ve had a team of representation, and plenty of times when I’ve had no one pitching me or helping me grow in this business. I think my biggest struggle with acting is the lack of clarity in the industry and finding the persistence to keep going when the outlook can be bleak.
As a first-time filmmaker, I learned so much about production and independent filmmaking. There were so many bumps in the road and struggles to get this thing done, but I knew this would be the case. The initial struggle happened when the creative team I had attached to the project politely resigned over some creative disagreements. In an instant, I went from simply being an actor to being the writer, director, producer, and star of this project. I had to learn the responsibilities of each role as I was doing them. And each one of them was a struggle. The issue I had in terms of directing was directing myself! When I watch my film back, I see how much I would have benefitted from having one more set of eyes on my acting, specifically. And I still struggle with writing and ensuring that formatting of each screenplay meets industry standards.
I don’t feel like I am anywhere near where I want to be, but I’m proud of overcoming some of the obstacles on the road that has led me to this point.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to say that I am an actor first. I feel most at home when I’m working on a heartfelt comedy. I grew up in the era of rom-coms and have an affinity for Judd Apatow, so I understand that world. And while I’ve had some amazing moments in my acting career that I take a lot of pride in, I’m most proud of being a filmmaker, taking a concept that I created and seeing it all the way through post-production. So much can go wrong in the production process that even seeing something through is a success and I’m proud of that. I tried to write my first film in a way that felt most true to my lived experience and my perception of what I had gone through. I poked fun at what I found ridiculous and I let my characters grapple with the difficult feelings, as well. I hoped that in doing so, my acting would be more authentic. At a recent screening, an audience member complimented the tone of the film, and called it unique. That stuck with me and I hope it sets me apart from other filmmakers and actors in a positive way!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
There are so many things that I could point to in my life and feel successful. I’m a husband, father, and homeowner. I have a great job and have received recognition and awards. But there are also so many reasons I could argue that I’ve not yet achieved success. I want more experience in this industry and a greater resume. Other people have more money or material things than me. Comparison is the thief of joy and I feel like I often conflate success with social comparison.
So I’m trying to redefine success at this point in my life. I don’t want to think of success as having achieved a certain level of professional clout or a certain dollar amount in the bank. I’m now trying to be successful at finding purpose in my life and joy in every day. This gets harder as I get older and it seems like the world around me is more uncertain than ever. So I’m putting so much effort into chasing that feeling of fulfillment. When these awards and career milestones don’t mean so much and when I can achieve that joy personally within myself, I will feel like I’ve achieved success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jacksontropp.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontropp
