Rising Stars: Meet Isaac Anthony of Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Anthony.

Hi Isaac, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised in the inner city by a hardworking, blue-collar family. films and art were always my escape, which lead me to an arts focused middle and high school where I thrived in visual arts-but never dared to audition for drama. I was the kid who loved storytelling but dreaded being seen.

After graduation, I had two options: wrestle in college or take a more traditional path. Instead, I chose the scarier, more uncertain one: pursuing acting. I knew I’d regret it forever if I didn’t at least try. So, I worked a patchwork of jobs-restaurants, landscaping, factories-saving every dollar until I could pack up my car and head to Los Angeles, despite not knowing a soul there.

The road trip itself was all new to me. My first glimpse of the mountains, the desert, the Grand Canyon-and once I arrived, I fell in love with the city.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
But with reality and with no plan, I cycled through staying with cousins, sleeping in my car, and crashing on couches while working as an extra, doing odd jobs, taking acting classes, and studying improv and theater. Slowly, doors started to open; a manager, then an agent, then my first small roles in indie horror films, theater productions, and eventually projects like Dexter and a Sundance premier.

It’s been a journey of grit, determination, and plenty of improvisation-literally and figuratively. I started at the very bottom, but each step has been worth it. And truthfully, it still feels like the story’s just getting started.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When I first moved to LA, my goal was simply film and TV. But what I didn’t anticipate was how much work it takes to be a great actor. I found love for the process-long hours of study, solitude, realization that in acting, you are the instrument. it required not just talent but discipline, reflection, and a dedication to understanding yourself and others.

What I’m most proud of is the growth that journey demanded. I was once the kid who would skip school presentations just to avoid speaking in front of people, and now my career is built around standing in front of them. That transformation-through determination, perseverance and setbacks along the way-is what means the most to me.

What sets me apart is that I never lost sight of why I started. I don’t just want to be “in the movies”; I want to tell stories that make people feel the way movies once made me feel.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My story is pretty much the actor’s starter kit: small town-kid with big dreams, trades a steady path for a packed car and a questionable plan, lands in LA, and starts bouncing between couches, odd jobs, and “blink and you’ll miss me” background gigs. Fast forward though some NoHo dinner meals and improve classes, and I’ve gone from indie horror flicks to theater productions, a Sundance premier, and even TV spots. In other words, the cliche is real-but so is the hustle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11886882/
• Instagram: @ennrusso

Image Credits
Steve Neider