By: Eddie Ramos | Feburary 14, 2022 6:30 AM

Father, Husband, Afro-Latino, Jesse Castillo continues his journey to redefine the American actor.

What does it mean to be a Modern Actor today?

A modern actor is an actor who truly knows who they are and what they bring to the work. The world is constantly changing. There are so many distractions that get in the way of the work and a modern actor knows that the work is most important.

Acting is about bringing truth to the work. You cannot live truthfully within the work if you do not know who you are and what your point of view is. Modern actors know what makes them unique and do not let external industry factors affect their truth. We know the truth always wins in the end.

A modern actor is constantly adapting. The industry is constantly shifting and the modern actor has learned to effectively navigate these changes.

You attended the University of Vermont and graduated with a Bachelors's degree in Business Administration. How do you think those skills have helped you as an actor?

I was terrified at the idea of going away for school! But I’m glad I made that decision. I went to school in Vermont, the polar opposite of Brooklyn. Looking back, the fact that I was exposed to a new environment and different cultures has helped me with my acting.

Many times we are acting in scenes where the worlds are much different than our own.

I received a B.S. In Business administration with a concentration in Marketing. My background has tremendously helped with navigating the business side of the acting industry. Many actors overlook the business aspect. You not only have to be a great actor, but also a great business person. All actors are entrepreneurs and YOU are the product of your brand.

“Work really hard to figure out what makes you unique and figure out what you bring that no one else can.”

l learned a lot about branding. It’s not even so much the specific concepts I learned that have helped me as an actor. It has more been all the intangibles that I developed throughout school. I learned how to effectively communicate and present myself in a professional manner to the industry.

So many young people today are debating whether college is the right move for them...what would you tell them to consider when making their decision?

I would say that getting a college degree isn’t as essential as it once was. I remember graduating from high school and teachers made it seem like if you didn’t college it would be a mistake that would affect our future success. The internet has made it so you can learn new skills without spending thousands of dollars on a college education. I’m not knocking college at all. But you have to ask yourself if a college degree is necessary or add value to what it is that you want to do. By the way, I still owe a decent amount in student loans… (Yo Biden, where you at with that loan forgiveness).

Jesse Castillo is an actor, known for Flatbush Misdemeanors (2021).

You were born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Why is New York City such a great city for an aspiring actor?

Yessir! BK all day!

People from all over the country and the world come here for the opportunities. NYC has always been a top production hub for TV/Film, especially for TV. There are so many episodic television being filmed here.

I have heard many casting directors say that NY is a developmental town. It’s a market where a brand new actor has the ability to develop their resume and credits. Brooklyn has become arguably the most popular area in the entire country.

NYC is a melting pot filled with so many different cultures, people, and backgrounds. It is essential for actors to be experience different cultures and diverse backgrounds. It will help in approaching work with characters that are very much different than you.

You’ve collaborated with some great brands such as FILA, Walmart, AT&T, 7UP and the list goes on. Tell us about one of the more memorable work experiences or audition experiences?

Yeah, bro! The FILA project was the first project that I ever booked as an actor. I actually booked that project through Backstage at the time. This was before I had representation. SO, the fact is was my first project and my first time being on a professional set makes it memorable.

As a Latin actor, how do you see the industry shifting to include more people of color? And do you feel it has done a good job at portraying Hispanic people?

For the longest time, Latino representation in the TV/Film industry had been almost non-existent. There had seem to be a disconnect between the growing Hispanic population in our country and that population being represented on-screen. As of right now, I do feel like the industry has done a better job and has been making more of a conscious effort to increase diversity. I have seen more Latino leads being written for new pilots and films. But there is still a lot of work to be done.

I also do want to speak on the Afro-Latino community as well. I identify as Afro-Latino and I feel like we have particular stories to make known to the world as well. The on-screen representation for Afro-Latino is severely lacking. I was so inspired by the performance of the Afro-Latino actor, Jharrel Jerome, in When They See Us. His performance actually inspired me to really pursue acting on the TV/Film side. I had just been a commercial actor up to that point.

Any specific characters you would love the opportunity to play?

I would love to play a coming-of-age story of an Afro-Latino character living in NYC and the adversity and struggles that come with living and growing up in a Hispanic household in NY.

“My family was not receptive of my choice to pursue acting. I grew up in a Latino family where they have an old-school approach to professional careers.”

There are a lot of untold stories from the type of communities that I come from. I would love to be a part of those stories on screen.

In terms of auditioning for TV and Film, what has been a game-changer for breaking down scripts and getting into character? The most important part of your routine?

For me when I read a script, I first think to myself what my purpose and intentions are within a particular scene. Creating a backstory for my character has been vital for me. It helps me with making certain choices that align with my characters during the scene. I like to mix who the character is and who I am.

I always bring my essence to each of the scripts that I get. I like to take each line and kind of reword as I would say it. So, when I am recording, I still use the writer’s words but internally still have those intentions I set with my own words. I also like to improvise before the scene starts because it helps me live within the world of the scene. It allows me to stay present and work with my scene partner from moment to moment.

Read More: A Daily Routine For Actors

When I am auditioning, I try not to get caught up in booking that particular job. I always want to “book the room.” It’s important to do my best honest work and not worry about if I fit the role. Since I am a relatively new TV/Film actor, I just want to create fans within the casting community. Once I start recording my scenes, I trust all the prep work I had done and then I let it go during the audition. Once filming, I try to really focus on listening to my scene partner and reacting instead of thinking. I’m trusting the prep work that I did.

You and your wife welcomed a baby boy in 2019. What challenges has that brought up for your acting career and how has it enhanced it for the better?

Ahh man, I love my family. It was true blessing when I had we had JJ. Fatherhood has made me a better man. Everything I do, I am motivated by my wife and my son. We consider ourselves great parents who always puts our son first. As parents, you make a lot of sacrifices. Being a parent is a full-time job, as is being an actor. It’s tough balancing family and career but it’s worth it.

Time management for me is really important. My wife and I are a team, when one of us has career things to get done, the other looks out for our son. Either when I’m self-taping or taking a virtual class, my wife makes sure I have a quiet space and that I don’t have any distractions. Sometimes, I don’t have the luxury of turning in auditions early but once I get the time, I always give my best work. That’s just the kind of person I am. I do this for them. I want to set that example for my son of work ethic, following your dreams no matter what anyone says. Being with family is essential for me to create that balance. For those of you who may be expecting a child on the way or currently have kids, it’s going to be hard. Your perseverance will be tested. But I’m telling you to not give up. You can still do it! Let your family be the driving force towards your dreams.

Wife Shoutout

I want to give a shoutout to my beautiful wife Raquelle. I wouldn’t be here today without her. She pushed me to pursue this career and to always me to do my best work. She always motivates me to keep pushing forward and truly believes in me. I am very fortunate to have a partner who fully supports my dreams with no judgments. Having a support system will be one of your greatest assets in your journey. Whether it be a friend, partner, or family member, it will be very beneficial to have someone who supports you as you follow your dreams. They are truly invaluable.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Do not let doubt or fear stop you from pursuing your dreams. There will be people who will judge your decision of pursuing this career. If this is what you really want to do and you have the belief in yourself, don’t let anyone STOP YOU. I think it’s important to have a support system throughout this journey.

I am so lucky to have my wife by my side. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for her. Remember, this industry is all about the long game. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The people who you think are overnight successes are not. Consistency is key. Everyone has their own essence and point of view. Work really hard to figure out what makes you unique and figure out what you bring that no one else can. This will separate you from the pack.

Connect with Jesse Castillo on his Instagram, Website, and IMDb.

Represented by

Ingrid French Management

Jesse Castillo Is Redefining The American Actor