Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Kozakevich.
Hi Kelly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I actually started with no intention of pursuing a career as an actor. When I was younger, I wanted to be a pediatric oncology nurse and volunteered at my local hospital for many years in pursuit of that goal! In high school, I took one drama class and with no experience got cast as the lead in one of the productions. That production was chosen to be in an acting competition where I won 1 of the 15 Best Actor Awards over hundreds of other experienced actors. I had never had more fun and been more terrified in my life than when I was on that stage. I also couldn’t stop thinking of anything else besides doing it again. I always say that I didn’t choose acting, that it chose me. My faith played a huge role in the decision to pursue acting as a career. After A LOT of praying and going back and forth about what I thought I was supposed to do in my life, I knew this is what God called me to do. When that realization came, it wasn’t so much as a decision but an answering to what I was created to do. My mom’s support was the icing on the cake. She is the kindest, most caring, compassionate and loving person. She is my absolute best friend and biggest fan. Her support means everything to me and has inspired me to keep going even during rough times.
I moved to New York City to study at the prestigious William Esper Studio which is consistently listed as one of the 25 best acting programs in the world by The Hollywood Reporter. Those two years changed my life and I would not be who I am today without that studio and the incredible teachers in it. I will always be grateful to my four main acting teachers there, Deb Jackel, David Newer and Linda and David Laundra for believing in me and constantly pushing me to grow as an artist and person. The Annie Grindlay Studios in Los Angeles has also greatly impacted my career and who I am as an artist. Annie Grindlay and Patrick Cohen are absolutely incredible teachers, mentors and coaches. I was introduced to my current manager, JC Robbins Management, because of Annie and will be forever grateful to both of these incredible women for believing in me. In the end, work begets work and so does character and reputation. Stay kind. Stay true to yourself. Stay humble and at the right time, your dreams will start to unfold.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been everything but smooth! But, I’ve learnt to appreciate all of the difficult moments because they have truly helped me become the person I am today. I think most of us have insecurities, whether we admit it or not. The trials and difficult times we go through help grow our character and appreciation for what we have. We just have to be willing to let go and trust that when we make the space for it, blessings will come.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a bi-coastal actor working between LA and NYC, primarily in Los Angeles at the moment. I’m focused mostly on television and film right now, but I’ve done a little bit of everything along the way, from off-Broadway and regional theatre to commercials, various films and creating my own content! A few of my recent projects include: A Crime to Remember (an Emmy Award-winning tv series on ID: Investigation Discovery), YES (an award-winning feature film starring Modern Family’s Nolan Gould) and All Hail Beth (a TV series created by award-winner Misha Calvert). Every role or project is a new adventure!
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t just defined by one thing. Success is about the person you are. Everything else will come and go – money, homes, clothing, etc. but you have the power to choose the kind of person you are and how you treat others. Even if your circumstances aren’t going the way you want them to, you can still choose to be a caring, kind and loving person. Success is being truly happy with where you are at in your life, even if it’s not where you thought you would be. Success is impacting someone else’s life in a positive way.
After a school performance, a lady came up to me and asked to talk for a minute. She went on to say that she lost a very close person to her a few weeks ago and hadn’t laughed since that happened. She said that my character in the show made her laugh for the first time in weeks. That my openness and vulnerability on the stage gave her the space to feel the joy she thought she lost. She told me I have a gift and to never stop pursuing it. To this day, that story still transforms me and any time I get discouraged, it reminds me that being an artist is a calling on my life that is bigger than myself. It is to impact and inspire other people. I thought I had to do something more “substantial”, but realized that being an artist requires a special vulnerability, awareness of oneself, and openness to go through some hard emotions, in order to give others permission to also experience those emotions. I strive daily to be that inspiration for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.kellykozakevich.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellykozakevich/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellykozakevichactor
Image Credits
Bella Saville Photography
