Kurt Yue Of Cobra Kai & The Acting Career Center On The Five Things You Need To Create Highly Successful Carer In TV & Film

…Don’t tie your self-worth to booking a job. There’s so much luck involved in this industry. If you base your self-respect on landing a job or booking an audition, it can be detrimental to your mental health. Bryan Cranston has great advice on this. He says that when he changed his approach to auditions, his career transformed. Instead of thinking he’s there to get a job, he thinks he’s there to do a job. Once he finishes the audition, he’s done. This mindset shift frees you from trying to impress others and focuses on performing well…

I had the pleasure of talking with Kurt Yue. Kurt, a versatile actor recognized for his roles in numerous television series, has carved a unique path in the entertainment industry. Currently, Yue is a recurring guest star on popular shows such as “Reasonable Doubt,” “Naomi,” and “Cobra Kai.” He has also made guest appearances on “Young Rock,” “The Resident,” and “Walker,” and has recurring roles in “Will Trent,” “Sweet Magnolias,” and “A Man in Full,” among others. Notably, Yue has achieved the rare feat of appearing in all three Marvel Universes, highlighting his broad appeal and versatility as an actor.

Born in Beijing, China, Yue moved to the United States at the age of four with his parents. His early years were spent in various parts of the country, including Iowa, Arizona, and Ohio. Despite his extensive travels, he did not initially aspire to a career in acting. After earning a degree in computer science and engineering, Yue worked as a business consultant and software developer in Cleveland, Ohio. His life seemed set on a conventional path until a chance encounter changed everything.

One evening, after a night out with friends, Yue stumbled upon the Houde School of Acting in Cleveland. Intrigued and looking for a new hobby, he decided to enroll in acting classes. What began as a casual interest quickly blossomed into a passion. Yue’s journey from the tech world to the entertainment industry is a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and the power of pursuing one’s passions.

Yue’s transition from a computer programmer to a full-time actor was not immediate. He started by taking acting classes for fun, without any intention of changing careers. However, a classmate’s suggestion to speak with her agent led to Yue’s first auditions for local commercials and corporate training videos. Over time, he built a portfolio and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, a hub for film and television production, where his career began to flourish.

In addition to his acting career, Yue is also a successful YouTuber with over 230,000 followers. His channel, the Acting Career Center, provides valuable advice and insights for aspiring actors. Yue’s willingness to share his knowledge and experiences highlights his commitment to helping others navigate the complexities of the acting industry.

Yue’s acting portfolio is diverse, including notable roles in “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Insatiable,” “Tag,” and “Venom.” His performances have earned him critical acclaim and recognition, such as an Honorable Mention for Best Ensemble at the 2018 Actors Awards for the film “Mr. Goody.”

Yue’s career is a blend of talent, hard work, and serendipity. His story is one of perseverance and adaptability, showing that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams. His advice to aspiring actors is grounded in his own experiences: to focus on helping others, stay patient, and enjoy the process.

As he continues to build his career, Yue remains a prominent figure in both the acting world and the online community. His work on “Will Trent” is eagerly anticipated by fans, and his foray into the horror genre promises to add another dimension to his versatile career. For those interested in following Yue’s journey or seeking advice on breaking into the acting industry, his YouTube channel offers a wealth of information and inspiration.

Yitzi: Kurt, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Kurt: Yeah. So, my origin story is I was born in Beijing, China. I don’t remember much of my life in China because I moved to the United States with my parents when I was four years old. We moved around a lot because my dad had different jobs in various places across the country. I spent some of my childhood living in Iowa City, Iowa, and some of it in Tucson, Arizona. Most of my life, though, I lived in Cleveland, Ohio. I was there from about sixth grade through high school, went to college in Michigan, and then went back to Cleveland. I lived and worked there in the corporate world for almost 10 years. After that, I moved down to Atlanta, Georgia, about eight years ago. I’ve been living in Atlanta ever since. I’ve moved around a lot here in the U.S., but I’ve spent most of my life living here and haven’t lived overseas other than my first four years.

Yitzi: So, let’s learn about the next part of the story. What led you to this successful career as an actor?

Kurt: Yeah, so it’s interesting. I would love to say that I was one of those kids that dreamed about acting since I was little, but that just wasn’t the case. I was certainly interested in movies and TV shows, and I loved watching them, but I never really thought about acting when I was younger, or even as an adult. I was always the math and science kid growing up. I went to college and studied computer science, getting my degree in it. I worked in the corporate world for almost 10 years as a software developer.

During that time, I found myself wanting to find something else to do after work. I dabbled in a bunch of different things. I played a lot of poker, both in person and online. I took a jujitsu class and found a fun martial arts community. One day, my friend and I were walking down the street and saw an acting studio close to where we lived. We thought, hey, why don’t we check this out? It might be something fun to do.

The idea of joining the acting class was with no intention of changing careers. It was strictly to find something more fun than the day-to-day life in the cubicle that I was doing nine to five every day. And that’s what it was. It was a very fun class, and I enjoyed going to it. For a long time, I was just taking classes because I found it very enjoyable and thought it was a lot of fun. I wasn’t trying to make money off of being an actor. It wasn’t until about a year into taking those classes that one of my classmates recommended I talk to her agent and maybe start auditioning for acting jobs that actually paid.

So, that was the first step after the classes — to get that first agent. Again, with zero expectations, I thought, well, whatever. I’m a software guy doing this for fun. But if she wants me to talk to her agent, what do I have to lose? Let’s give it a try and see what happens. That was the first time I started auditioning for actual acting gigs. In Cleveland, Ohio, there were no movies or TV shows shooting there, so we typically auditioned for local commercials or corporate training videos — those types of things that hire actors.

That was the slow and steady progression from there to auditioning for bigger and bigger projects. The move to Atlanta was really what started growing my resume in the film and television side of things because there’s a lot of production going on down here.

Yitzi: So you’ve been involved with so many amazing projects, like Cobra Kai, Ozark, and General Hospital. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite stories or memories from your professional life?

Kurt: Yeah, sure. There are so many great moments. I think what people don’t see, and certainly as someone who was an outsider to this industry before taking those acting classes, is the behind-the-scenes work. We often assume everything we see on TV is made in Hollywood, and we don’t get to see the day-to-day of what it’s like working on a film set. We might catch a behind-the-scenes blooper reel on a DVD, but not the everyday experience.

The enjoyment of this work often comes from the people you work with, which is true for any job. I’ve heard people ask what it’s like working on a movie set, and I use the analogy of working at a restaurant. There are general similarities between any restaurant job, but your experience depends on the people you work with. One person might have a terrible boss and co-workers and have a bad experience, while someone else might have a great boss and love their co-workers, making their experience great. Working on a movie set is the same way. The project might be cool, but that only lasts a short time. Spending 12 to 14 hours on set is enjoyable if you like the people you’re with, but it can feel like a nightmare if you don’t get along with them.

Luckily, most of the productions I’ve worked on have had great people. You mentioned Cobra Kai. I remember my first episode in season one when it was still on YouTube Red before it moved to Netflix. The creators of the show were fans of the Karate Kid franchise, and their excitement was contagious. It made the work environment so much more enjoyable. A 12 to 14-hour day felt like it went by so fast because everyone was having a great time and enjoying the process of making the show. Every time I came back to work on more episodes, that feeling was always there. The creators’ energy and excitement were palpable on set.

Another story I’d like to share is from a few years ago when I worked with Bryan Cranston on a movie called Jerry and Marge Go Large. By then, he was already famous from Breaking Bad. I had read his book, A Life in Parts, where he talks about being kind, generous, and a good person both on set and in life. It was great to see him practice what he preached. He knew what he meant to people on set and understood his status carried weight. As the lead of the movie, he had a heavy workload. Many actors in his position would go back to their trailer to decompress, relax, or rehearse when not needed. But Bryan spent time with people on set, talking to crew members, other cast members, and background actors, thanking them for their hard work. Crew members often don’t get the credit they deserve; they get their names in the scrolling end credits, but no one really sees who they are. For someone like Bryan to go out of his way to thank everyone and acknowledge their efforts was wonderful to see. He was a fantastic person to work with on set that day.

Yitzi: Amazing, stories. Thank you for sharing that. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story of a humorous mistake that you made? Nothing embarrassing, but something you learned from?

Kurt: Yeah, I have a few. On my very first television job, I was still living in Ohio and getting ready to move down to Atlanta. I had signed with an agent in Atlanta, and I auditioned for this new show I had never heard of before. I got the part and was scheduled for a one-day shoot playing a lawyer for one of the main characters.

The night before, they sent the call sheet, which has all the details like where to go and the time to show up. This was a new show, so I didn’t know what to expect or who would be there. I was already nervous since I had only done local commercials and corporate training videos before. Then, at about 11 PM, I saw on the call sheet that the other characters in my scene were played by Richard Dreyfuss and Helen Hunt, both Oscar winners. My nerves went through the roof. I thought, “I’m going to screw this up. They’re going to see how much worse I am than these Oscar-winning actors and fire me.”

The next day on set, I was incredibly nervous. I met them, and they were both super nice, but I still had so much nervous energy. If you watch the scene, there’s a point where you can see me visibly shift in my seat. It looks natural, like someone just shifting in their seat, but I remember doing it because I was so nervous and had to move.

This was a big scene because it was the first time Richard Dreyfuss and Helen Hunt’s characters appeared together. The show knew it was a big moment with two Oscar winners going head to head, and somehow I was in that scene too. They shot the master shot first, a wide shot with everyone in the frame, and then went in for coverage, shooting each actor individually in close-ups. Luckily for me, they did Helen Hunt and Richard Dreyfuss first. If they had come to me first, I probably would have screwed up a hundred times.

During their shots, both Helen Hunt and Richard Dreyfuss messed up their lines at some point. It was nothing major, just small mistakes. But seeing them make mistakes relaxed me so much. It showed me that even Oscar-winning actors aren’t perfect. If they had both nailed their scenes perfectly before it was my turn, I don’t know if I could have handled that pressure. But their mistakes lowered the pressure for me. I still messed up once or twice, but I felt better knowing they had made mistakes too.

After that first day, I realized sometimes you just have to experience it, no matter how many times someone tells you it’s normal to make mistakes on set. When we finished the scene, the director told me I did a good job. At the time, my brain didn’t accept that compliment. I thought he was only saying it because he felt bad for me. But looking back, it was a really good day and went well, despite being extremely nerve-wracking in the moment.

This is one of the only professions where something like that can happen. I was more or less a novice actor compared to those guys, but we were equals in that scene. We all had the same job in that situation. It’s like if you were trying to be a basketball player and the first time you played, it was against LeBron James. That just doesn’t happen. Being thrown into that situation was uncommon in any other profession, and dealing with it and calming your nerves can be pretty stressful.

Yitzi: Amazing. So you have so many exciting projects behind you. Can you share with the readers what you are working on now and what you’re working on in the near future?

Kurt: Well, I’m really excited for *Will Trent* to come back and continue shooting. I’m very fortunate to have the role I do on that show and even more fortunate that it’s been brought back for a third season. I tell people all the time, so much of an acting career is outside of our control. Two actors can both audition for a part and both book the job. One might end up on a show that gets canceled after one season, while the other might be on a show that becomes a huge hit. It’s not necessarily something one actor did right or wrong; it’s just out of our control. So, I always feel lucky when a project brings me back for more episodes and even luckier when it gets renewed for more seasons. *Will Trent* is expected to start shooting its third season later this summer, so fingers crossed they continue to bring back my character and use him more.

Last year, I got the chance to work on a horror movie, which was something new for me. I haven’t done much in the horror genre before, and I had a lot of fun with it. We ran into some scheduling issues due to the strikes, so we didn’t get to finish the movie on time. But after the strike ended, we finished filming, and hopefully, it will be released later this year. I’m not 100% sure on the timeline yet, and unfortunately, I can’t reveal the name of the movie. But once it comes out, I’ll be excited to share that news. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be coming out in theaters.

Yitzi: So you mentioned *Will Trent*. It’s very highly reviewed and has a strong rating on IMDb. Why do you think it’s been so beloved? What is it about the show that made it so popular?

Kurt: Well, I think it comes down to multiple factors. Filmmaking and television shows are incredibly collaborative art forms. It takes a huge group of people, each contributing their specific skill set, to create something that ultimately, we hope, turns out well. Luckily, that’s been the case with *Will Trent*.

I believe it starts with the source material. For those who may only know it as a show, it’s based on a book series by Karen Slaughter. The series follows the same main character, a detective named Will Trent. The TV show makes some changes to the characters and plot lines but retains the core elements of Karen’s characters and storylines, bringing them to life on screen.

The main character, Will Trent, is not your typical cop who knows how to solve everything. He has specific, quirky qualities, one of which is that he’s dyslexic. You might wonder how a dyslexic person becomes a detective, given that they can’t read the same way others do. The show explores how Will, despite this drawback, can still be a very effective detective.

Additionally, the relationships on the show are very strong and complex. While it is a crime drama and they solve crimes, the core of the story is about the characters and their relationships. There are complex pasts and dynamics between the characters. As the show progresses, the crimes almost become a subplot to the main plot, which revolves around how these characters live their lives, relate to each other, and deal with their past traumas. This gives the show a lot of heart beyond being just a typical procedural crime drama.

The actors portraying these characters are fantastic, starting with the main character, Ramon Rodriguez. Ramon has had an incredible and versatile career, playing characters that are very different from his role in *Will Trent*. He brings this character to life brilliantly. The supporting cast is also fantastic. Moreover, the cast and crew are incredible people to work with, which adds to the show’s success. When people enjoy working with each other, it shows in the final product. If they didn’t get along well, it would likely affect the quality of the show, even with good source material and talented actors.

Yitzi: How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Kurt, with the character you play, Pete Chin? How are you similar and how are you different?

Kurt: I feel like we’re mostly pretty similar. In the early stages of the show, there’s not much backstory to Pete Chin, so I’m mainly just delivering information without being over the top. I’m very reserved, which is how I am in real life. As the show progresses, Pete starts working more with the team, and they’ve written more personality into his character, showing his relationships with the other characters.

Having worked 10 years in the corporate world in an office setting, I can relate to Pete’s office environment. I didn’t look at dead bodies as part of my job back then, but I understand working long hours with co-workers, having meetings, and navigating the dynamics of office relationships. Sometimes it can be fun, sometimes it can get contentious, and sometimes you butt heads with people. You see those dynamics with all the characters on the show, and in the last few episodes of season two, Pete Chin got to engage more in the office environment. In that respect, he’s very similar to me in real life.

Yitzi: So this is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started acting, do you have five things you know now that you wish someone told you when you started?

Kurt: Yeah, here are some key things.

1. Number one: Nobody knows what they’re doing. This goes beyond just my acting career. I remember studying computer science in college and thinking that big companies have it all together. But when I graduated and started working at a major hospital, I saw how messy their code and systems were. It made me realize that everyone is just figuring things out as they go, regardless of the industry. You can fake it till you make it.
2. Number two: Focus on taking small steps. Many actors quit because they try to make big leaps, like landing a leading role immediately. Instead, think about building your career step by step. We live in a world of social media and instant gratification, where we see people seemingly succeeding overnight. But those stories are like winning the lottery. Focusing on small, consistent progress rather than immediate results is key to longevity.
3. Number three: Don’t tie your self-worth to booking a job. There’s so much luck involved in this industry. If you base your self-respect on landing a job or booking an audition, it can be detrimental to your mental health. Bryan Cranston has great advice on this. He says that when he changed his approach to auditions, his career transformed. Instead of thinking he’s there to get a job, he thinks he’s there to do a job. Once he finishes the audition, he’s done. This mindset shift frees you from trying to impress others and focuses on performing well.
4. Number four: Be patient and persistent. Success in acting doesn’t come overnight for most people. It takes time to build a career, so patience and persistence are essential. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks or slow progress. Every small role and every audition is a step forward.
5. Number five: Enjoy the process. Acting should be fun and fulfilling. If you focus too much on the end goal, you can lose sight of why you started in the first place. Enjoy the journey, the people you meet, and the experiences you gain along the way. This will keep you motivated and passionate about your work.

Those are some of the things I think would have been valuable to know when I started out, and I hope they help anyone else starting their journey.

Yitzi: Amazing. This is our final question, our aspirational question. Because of your great work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Kurt: Wow. When I started my YouTube channel nearly 10 years ago, I was inspired by a couple of people with channels on completely different topics. My channel is about acting, but I saw someone with a channel about music and another about online business. These two guys, Pat Flynn and Graham Cochran, were very successful in their fields, and both preached the idea of serving first — making their priority to help people, even in business, rather than focusing on making money.

It’s no coincidence that they are also successful financially, because when people see someone genuinely interested in helping, it feels authentic and genuine. That’s why I chose the YouTube platform; YouTube videos are free for people to watch. My goal was to help new actors who have all these questions and no answers. I wanted to be the person who provides those answers, so I offer as much advice as I can on my YouTube channel.

If people start thinking about actions they can take to help others without expecting anything in return, whether financially or otherwise, it can make a significant difference. If helping people is their primary goal, the rest will follow, including any additional benefits, whether financial or otherwise. This mindset of serving first can create a positive impact and build a more supportive and connected community.

Yitzi: That’s a good answer. Beautiful. So Kurt, how can the readers continue to follow your work online? How can they watch your upcoming films and past shows? How can they support you in any way?

Kurt: Yeah, I think I’m the only Kurt Yue in the acting industry, so if you just Google my name, most of my stuff will come up. If you’re interested in acting, my YouTube channel is called the Acting Career Center. I have over 100 videos about how to get started in the industry and how to become more knowledgeable about how the industry works. This way, you’re not going in blind and hopefully not getting taken advantage of. Unfortunately, there are people who prey on the hopes and dreams of aspiring actors, scamming them out of money and promising things they can’t deliver. Part of my channel’s goal is to provide real information to counteract that.

For anyone interested in acting, I promise the content on my channel is the most truthful and helpful information I’ve learned in this industry. I’m also on social media, particularly Instagram, under my first and last name. I don’t use it very much or talk about my career often, but I do post random pictures there.

Yitzi: Thanks so much for this amazing conversation. I wish you continued success and hope we can do this again next year.

Kurt: Yeah, thank you very much. I appreciate it.