Inspirational Women in Hollywood: How Actress Bonnie Discepolo Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
Get in class, stay in class. Training is like going to the gym for actors. Once I joined a scene study class with Cameron Watson, my career improved dramatically. Staying sharp and continually learning is vital.
Take business classes. Show business isn’t just about the “show” part. Understanding the business side — branding, marketing, and contracts — would’ve saved me a lot of trial and error.
Build friendships. Celebrate each other’s wins and lift each other up. Saying your friends’ names in the right rooms can change lives.
Learn about unemployment benefits. Barry Bostwick once shared this gem: If your job ends, you may qualify for unemployment insurance. That tip helped me survive between gigs.
Embrace downtime. Hollywood’s rhythm involves waiting. Use that time to learn new skills, connect with loved ones, and recharge. Life outside work is just as important.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women in Hollywood, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Bonnie Discepolo. Bonnie is an actor, writer, and producer. She can currently be found starring opposite Ben Affleck and William Fichtner in their new film Hypnotic.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
It’s a pleasure to meet you and your wonderful readership, Authority Magazine. The question of how one grows up is complex and often elusive. My childhood, like many, was shaped by both the familiar and the unexpected. It began conventionally, with two parents, two siblings, and a Catholic education. However, when my parents separated, we were uprooted and transported to a series of new locations, schools, and communities.
Throughout these turbulent years, theater became my anchor, the one constant in a constantly changing world. Auditioning for a play in a new town was like being welcomed into a new family, instantly connecting me to a wider community. It was this exposure to different people and places that ultimately shaped my perspective and fueled my storytelling.
Moving from Connecticut to South Carolina was a particularly formative experience. The shift in culture and values was jarring, but it taught me the importance of remaining open-minded and adaptable in the face of change. In many ways, my upbringing has influenced my work as a writer, actor, and director, encouraging me to seek out the unfamiliar and find the stories that exist beyond our preconceived notions.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
You’re not going to believe this, but I was one of those total theater kids in high school. My best friend, Anna Camp, and I started our own theater company during lunchtime called Lunch Box Theatre. Honestly, we were pretty good.
Now, you might think we did it because we loved the stage and wanted to express ourselves through the art of acting. But no, we did it to avoid getting teased by the cool kids in the lunch courtyard. It was like, “Oh, you don’t want to sit with us? Fine, we’ll start our own lunchtime theater club and charge admission!”
We charged a dollar a ticket, which was pretty steep for high school. Eventually, the shows sold out, and guess what? The cool kids started showing up!
Looking back, it’s funny how much we accomplished just by being nerds who loved being silly and telling stories. At the time, it was just a way to escape the bullies and do what we loved. So yeah, I guess that’s how I got here!
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
This still feels surreal to say, but Robert Rodriguez casting me in Hypnotic with Ben Affleck and William Fichtner has been the most thrilling and unbelievable experience of my career so far!
I initially signed up as an extra just to observe Robert’s direction of the big action sequences. But then, fate intervened when an actress tested positive for COVID. Robert asked if I wanted to audition! He handed me a two-page scene that he said was inspired by a story Quentin Tarantino had told him. Can you imagine?
I was trying to stay cool while reading lines with Robert, but inside, I was shaking like a leaf because I knew this was the opportunity of a lifetime. I left the set not knowing if I got the job. The next morning, they dyed my hair, fitted my costume, and the day after that, I was shooting a scene with Ben Affleck.
The following four days, I was directed by Robert in the middle of all the action. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m still pinching myself. Hypnotic is a fantastic film, and Robert has been incredible throughout the process.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Absolutely — always understand the tone of the show you’re auditioning for! Early on, I auditioned for a cop show set in Boston. Thinking I was being clever, I put on my best gritty “pahk the cahr in Hahvahd Yahd” accent. But guess what? The show filmed in LA, and no one had Boston accents. I completely missed the mark. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t book that role.
Lesson learned: Always research and know the tone of the show!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful toward who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Robert Rodriguez has been a life-changing champion for me. He saw my short film Three-Legged Dog, which I shot for just $400, and invited me to be a filmmaker on his Rebel Without a Crew series on the El Rey Network.
His mentorship was invaluable. He taught us that restrictions inspire creativity, a lesson I carry with me to this day. Robert put a camera in my hand and said, “Go!” His encouragement transformed my approach to filmmaking and storytelling.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to pursue this career path but feel daunted by the prospect of failure?
I think Samuel Beckett said it best: “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Failure in show business is inevitable. The people who succeed are those who analyze their failures, make adjustments, and keep going. Or maybe we’re all a little crazy and should’ve become lawyers instead. Time will tell!
Every industry evolves and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the entertainment industry going forward?
Right now, there’s a writers’ strike because fair contracts with streaming platforms are at risk. I would love to see the artists who create the stories we all love — those that get rewatched, quoted, and shared — be compensated with a living wage.
Additionally, as AI becomes more prevalent, it poses an existential threat to the heart of storytelling. While technology offers many advancements, we need to ensure it’s used ethically, preserving the human creativity and emotion that make compelling narratives possible.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
It’s absolutely surreal to say this, but I have not one, not two, but three movies in theaters this week!
First, I play a key role in Hypnotic, opposite Ben Affleck and William Fichtner. It’s a thrilling, action-packed film that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. It releases this Friday, May 12th — mark your calendars!
Second, in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, directed by James Gunn, I play a “Crying Krylorian,” a pink alien character. This film is a masterpiece — beautiful, emotional, and epic. I’ve already watched it three times, and it keeps getting better.
Lastly, I have a scene opposite Megan Fox in Johnny and Clyde, a supernatural indie crime thriller. It premieres in Rhode Island on May 13th and is also available for streaming and on-demand viewing.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about The Method, a feminist noir thriller starring Kathleen Turner. Working with Kathleen was a career highlight — she’s a legend with incredible stories to share!
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons why diversity in film and television is important? How can it impact our culture and youth?
- Diversity combats monotony. Homogeneity in storytelling is dull. Just like you wouldn’t want to eat pizza for every meal, why would we want only one type of storyteller?
- Diverse representation broadens perspectives. Seeing different cultures, lifestyles, and viewpoints on screen helps foster understanding and empathy. It opens minds and deepens our connection to the world.
- Representation empowers. When people see themselves reflected in media, it validates their experiences and sends a message that their stories matter. For those who aren’t represented, the absence can be isolating. Diverse storytelling ensures everyone feels seen and heard.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Get in class, stay in class. Training is like going to the gym for actors. Once I joined a scene study class with Cameron Watson, my career improved dramatically. Staying sharp and continually learning is vital.
- Take business classes. Show business isn’t just about the “show” part. Understanding the business side — branding, marketing, and contracts — would’ve saved me a lot of trial and error.
- Build friendships. Celebrate each other’s wins and lift each other up. Saying your friends’ names in the right rooms can change lives.
- Learn about unemployment benefits. Barry Bostwick once shared this gem: If your job ends, you may qualify for unemployment insurance. That tip helped me survive between gigs.
- Embrace downtime. Hollywood’s rhythm involves waiting. Use that time to learn new skills, connect with loved ones, and recharge. Life outside work is just as important.
Can you share any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that help you thrive?
Gratitude is at the core of my self-care. Every day, I remind myself to be thankful for each opportunity.
I also follow a routine inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way: journaling, meditating, moving my body, and writing for an hour each morning. These small acts center me and set the tone for the day.
I love little rituals, like spraying lavender on my pillow before bed, lighting candles, or keeping fresh flowers around. These details turn everyday life into a celebration.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? How has it been relevant to you?
My dad always says, “If you do nothing, nothing happens. If you do something, something happens.”
It’s a reminder to take action, even if it’s small. Whether it’s washing dishes, rehearsing lines, or starting a new project, action creates momentum and opens doors.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement to bring good to the most people, what would it be?
I would focus on poverty reduction. Poverty isn’t just about lacking resources — it’s about feeling powerless.
Empathy and understanding are key to addressing this issue. By listening to those affected, dismantling stereotypes, and advocating for policies that uphold dignity, we can create real change.
Is there a person in the world you’d love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
Natasha Lyonne! Her storytelling in Russian Doll Season 2, Episode 6 (“Schrödinger’s Ruth”) is one of the most brilliant pieces of television I’ve seen. It’s personal, weird, and mind-blowing. Plus, I just have a feeling she’d be a great hang.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
Yes! I’m so grateful for fans and hope to inspire others to create their own work. You can find me on:
- Instagram: @abonniesituation
- Blue Sky: BonnieDiscepolo
- YouTube: Bonnie Discepolo
Thank you for these amazing insights! We wish you continued success.
Thanks so much!
