Rising Star Jason Vendryes On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry

Everyone has a different path. I remember reading stories on how other actors got successful and thinking that was the way I had to do it too. But we’re all unique, so we all have our own way to, and version of, success.

As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jason Vendryes.

Jason Vendryes is an Atlanta based actor who is currently starring in two television series: CBS’ new daytime drama “Beyond the Gates” and playing Agent Slomkowski in the BET series “Ruthless.” He is also starring, in a pivotal role, in the film “One Spoon of Chocolate,” written and directed by RZA and co-starring Shameik Moore, Paris Jackson, and Blair Underwood which is set to release later this year.

Jason’s initial interest in acting started as a child when his grandmother saw an open casting call for a ‘Macaulay Culkin’ type for the Burt Reynold’s film “Cop and a Half.” Although he didn’t book that role (though he was called back 3 times) his interest in acting was established, though not through the usual routes. In high school Jason concentrated on sports instead of acting by playing volleyball and wrestling in high school and college. This proved vital as a job working at the Universal Studios store in Orlando, while attending college, led to his being recruited to audition to be an actor and stunt performer at the park. His first professional acting roles at the park included the shows “Terminator 2 3D,” “The 8th Voyage of Sindbad,” and “Grinchmas,” along with the title role of Spider-Man as part of “Marvel Heroes” (among others). It was this experience which inspired Jason to pursue acting as a career. It was also during this time that he appeared on Romance Novel covers and in several fitness magazines. Landing his first agent in Orlando helped him book several TV commercials and additional roles. During this time Jason also starred in several plays including “Streakin’!” and “Born: The Fast Times and Hard Lives of Adam and Eve.”

Jason decided to further his acting by moving to NYC and soon landed his SAG card with a small role on “Gossip Girl” which led to a role on “Blindspot” and a recurring role on Tyler Perry’s “Too Close to Home.” While there he was in the play “Dear Brutus” (by “Peter Pan” writer J.M. Barrie) at the Roebuck Theatre. During his time in NYC Jason also landed 2 online features in GQ Italia and one in Men’s Health.

After relocating to Atlanta (where he currently resides) his acting career started taking off with television roles such as recurring roles on the Amazon series “Living V” and OWN’s “Ambitions” with additional roles on “Star,” “American Soul,” “The Big Door Prize,” “Queen of the South,” “BMF,” and “Reasonable Doubt” among many others. Film roles include starring in “Black Spartan” opposite Neal McDonough, “Pet Investigators” opposite Sean Astin, “Cinnamon” opposite Damon Wayans, and “Irresistible” which was directed by Jon Stewart.

Jason is currently engaged to actress Malone Thomas and supports Make-A-Wish Foundation and spends time helping cats in his neighborhood find homes.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

Thanks so much for having me! I was born on Long Island, New York and moved to Wellington, FL when I was 7. I have a sister who is 3 years older than me. My dad worked in the IT field as a systems analyst and my mom was a stay-at-home mom for most of my youth. I spent the majority of my childhood outdoors & playing sports. I went through baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and martial arts before settling on wrestling and volleyball in high school and college. I have always loved watching films. Actually, my first job ever was as a projectionist at my local movie theater.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

I went to the University of Central Florida to study Computer Science. I got a part time job at the Universal Studios Store and a show director encouraged me to audition for the theme park. I ended up getting the role and then eventually got trained in multiple stunt shows and other roles throughout the parks. It made me realize my love for acting and that it was actually possible to make a living performing. At that point, I moved to New York to study acting in a more serious capacity and prepare myself for a career in film and television.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career as an actor?

I auditioned to be Captain America in the first film. I was green, I hadn’t had any training at that point, and I was unprepared. I drove 3 hours to the casting office, was given my sides, and I had 20 minutes to learn two scenes. I was nervous and I bombed. I was so embarrassed and disappointed, but it lit a fire in me to make sure something like that never happened again.

It has been said that 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?

On one of the first films I was in, I was super excited and told all my friends and family about the release. We went to watch the movie… and my scenes were cut. It was another embarrassing moment. I later found out it was cut for time and pacing. So, you never know what will happen in editing!

We hear you are currently starring on two television series (CBS’ “Beyond the Gates” as well as BET’s “Ruthless”). Can you please share with us your experience working on these two shows, and how the characters are different (or the same)?

Both shows have a fast-paced filming schedule, roughly an episode a day. Ruthless was a three-camera setup with mostly outdoor sets at Tyler Perry Studios, whereas Beyond the Gates was almost entirely shot on a soundstage with a four-camera configuration. My experience on both has been wonderful. My characters are completely different. On Ruthless, my character is a headstrong, no-nonsense FBI Agent. On Beyond the Gates, my character is a mysterious out of towner.

In addition — we hear you have a few movies coming out this year — can you please share with us some details on those?

Sure! One Spoon of Chocolate is coming out later this year. I’m very excited for this one; it’s such a great ensemble cast with Paris Jackson, Shameik Moore, RJ Cyler, Blair Underwood, Michael Harney and many others. It’s an action drama written and directed by RZA and was something he had been wanting to make for over a decade. I’m also in Pet Investigators along with Sean Astin, David Faustino, Corin Nemic, and Naomi Grossman. This one is a kids movie about young teens trying to solve the mystery of missing neighborhood pets. There’s also Black Spartans, a sports drama about the 1960’s Michigan State Football program with Neil McDonough, J Alphonse Nicholson, and Mia Healey.

As a rising star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated and overcome obstacles in your career?

Like any actor, I’ve had a lot of disappointments that have happened, and honestly still happen. I had a teacher that always told us there are only two things we can control: work ethic and reputation. So that’s what I try to focus on. I prepare for each role to the best of my ability — whether its an audition or a job, and I treat everyone on set with respect. If its a slow period, like it was during the recent strikes or the pandemic before that, I try learning a new skill or sharpen an existing one. During those times, I made my own short films, got creative in the kitchen, and played a lot of guitar.

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

Diversity is important because it reflects real life. We’re a giant melting pot here and that’s what makes us so special & unique. Everyone deserves to see themselves in their favorite character, or to feel personally connected to a story they’re watching. There is also the opportunity to learn about other cultures or understand the point of view from someone else’s perspective. It can create conversation and also empathy. I think that’s where we grow as people.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?

1 . It takes time! When I was younger, to me a long time was a year. For most people, it takes way longer than that to get their career going, even a decade! There is no specific timeline.

2 . Everyone has a different path. I remember reading stories on how other actors got successful and thinking that was the way I had to do it too. But we’re all unique, so we all have our own way to, and version of, success.

3 . Practice. Just learn scenes and run them with other actor friends. See what happens and different ways the scene can go. Musicians constantly practice with their instruments, painters practice techniques on canvas, and actors need to practice their craft as well.

4 . Balance work and life. I think this upcoming generation is getting a little better with this. There was a period of time where I was all consumed with work and I missed a lot of birthdays, weddings, and friend hangouts. I regret some of that missed time with friends and family. I’ve gotten better with balancing the two aspects of life.

5 . Enjoy the moment. In the time of social media, I think we can get so caught up in capturing the moment, we lose out on experiencing it.

There’s a great scene with Sean Penn at the end of “The Secret Life of

Walter Mitty” that I love where, as a photographer, he doesn’t take a photo because he is enjoying the moment so much. Not everything needs to de documented. I try to always remind myself to make a mental note on how the current experience makes me feel.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Know there will be highs and lows. Take it all one day at a time, have a hobby you love and surround yourself with people who elevate you.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I wish I could de-personalize everything for everyone! We live in a world where algorithms dictate what we listen to, what we watch, what news we consume, and even the products we’re shown. It’s causing us to all live in our own bubbles and I feel like that creates a disconnect.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that? Maybe someone who gave you a ‘break’ in your career.

I don’t have just one person; I have a whole village! Loads of friends that let me crash on their couch for auditions or would run lines with me or help me tape, family giving emotional support, many casting directors, directors, and producers who trusted me with characters, acting teachers that inspired me, and my managers and agents who have helped me navigate to this point in my career.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

I did a live show years ago and backstage we had a quote on the wall that said something like “Give this one your best, you never know who you’re inspiring for the first time” I read it every time I hit the stage and it motivated me. I’ve carried that with me in both my work ethic and my daily life since.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

There are so many people who just ran through my head, but the first one was Quentin Tarantino. When I first saw Pulp Fiction, it blew my mind and changed the way I saw films. More than anything, I would love to just chat the history of cinema with him from one movie fan to another.

How can our readers follow you online?

They can find me on Instagram @JaVendryes

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!

I really enjoyed this, thank you so much!