Rising Star Kevin Interdonato Of Take No Prisoners Productions On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Guernslye Honoré
Be brave enough to Trust your gut more than your passion when making decisions.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Actor /Writer/ Director, Kevin Interdonato.
Kevin Interdonato is an Actor known for his work in the Indie Film and Television, including shows like The Sopranos, Law And Order, CSI:NY, City On A Hill and more. His work has been recognized at Film Festivals around the world, with over 20 Best Actor Awards and Nominations to date.
An Iraq War Veteran, Kevin also wrote and produced five movies, with his recent release ‘The Bastard Sons’ being his directorial debut, out now on Amazon and iTunes.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Well, I was a crazy kid. Just reckless. My parents worked hard and supported my older brother and I in all our endeavours, and taught us young what hard work was. Growing up in a family construction business will do that. That said, I was always in some kind of trouble. But my old man was always there to put me in check. Started working for the company full time after graduating high school. Looking back, thank god he was (and is) still a massive influence on my life. I’m a lucky guy…could’ve went down the wrong path at one point. Looking back, I just had this manic, undirected energy that I couldn’t place. When I found acting, things changed.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
There was a defining moment for me. I had a couple pretty bad altercations in my 20’s. I was a little too quick with my fists back then. Got sued, almost got locked up, and it was a big wake up call. Since that happened, I forced my focus 100% to this business, and haven’t taken a step back since.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I auditioned to play boxing legend Ray ‘Boom-Boom’ Mancini for a movie in my early 20’s. At that time, internet just started, so I sent letters to anyone I could find on the internet associated with the movie. Weeks went by, didn’t get the part. But somehow one of my letters found its way to Ray’s mom, no clue how, and she passed it along to him. I came home from work one day with a voicemail from ray himself on my answering machine! Left me his number, so I called him, and we spoke for some time. I’m a huge boxing fan so that was like Mike Tyson calling for me…we kept in touch through the years. When I was cast in a movie called Bad Frank, they needed someone to play my dad. I called Ray, and he jumped in to play the role. Wild how that turned out. Hell of a guy.
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?
I was absolutely broke when I booked The Sopranos. So on set I stole a massive amount of snacks and through them in my pockets before I was filming one day. I was in my wardrobe wearing a jumpsuit. So before I had the chance to dump everything in my bag, they called me to go film! It was a ‘lets go NOW’ situation, they were running late. I had to run some guy down in the street, so when the director yelled ACTION, I started running and all my pockets were swinging all over the place, looked like I had stuffed pillows. They yelled CUT, and made me take everything out on the spot in front of everyone…Oreos, granola bars, bananas, you name it. Looked like I went food shopping. Everyone got a laugh out of it, but I think my face was red for a week. Thank god I had makeup on.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Coming off Malicious and The Bastard Sons, I haven’t been in films that popped like that before, its been surreal. Saint Michael of the City comes out in April. I’m cast playing leads in a couple for this year, and directing my next one ‘Dirty Hands, in Chicago in April.
As a rising star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated and overcome obstacles in your career?
I’m used to the hits now. I don’t let my highs go high, and I give myself a time limit when the lows hit. Staying steady and neutral is a good place for any artist to be, because this industry has a way of making you feel like a million bucks sometimes, and then a piece of meat the next day. I stay focused on the things I can control, and disregard everything else. Took me awhile to learn that lesson.
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?
This Country, we are a pool of diverse people, everyone of different races, origins and walks of life. It is crucial to the industry to have all races and cultures ‘in front of and behind the camera’, as we say. Its a relatability to viewers. Film is life, and yes creators should reflect that. But not everyone grew up or lived with the culture of different ethnicities in their life. And if those people create film, or TV, and they write what they know, should they be scrutinized for that? I don’t know. Filmmakers that are black, white, asian, latino…I’ve noticed sometimes their films are mostly cast with guys and gals of the same ethnicity. Hence, we write and make into reality, what we know. Is that right or wrong? Personally, I’m no more interested in an all-latino cast than I am an all-white cast. To me its just ‘people’. I’m watching the creator’s artistic expression, and how they view it.
Outside looking in, anyone would say my films are cast ‘diversely’. Which feels odd to me. Weird for me to say that, and truth is, I wouldn’t say it. Because its not true. The reality is that my network and pool of friends is very diverse, the people I know are all colors, shapes and sizes, and I’m simply writing what I see, what I’ve seen, and hiring people I know.
I do hope more voices from different cultures find their way into this business. And if the business doesn’t open its doors, then create your own stories… I did.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . This business is a long game of endurance.
2 . Believe in myself wholeheartedly, NEVER give anyone power to derail that.
3 . Be brave enough to Trust your gut more than your passion when making decisions.
4 . Keep your circle small, and only let those that respect you have your respect back.
5 . Embrace the struggle, and don’t let anything or anyone hold you back.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Step away from it when the cloud sets in and your running on auto-pilot. Don’t forget about your loved ones, they must always be priority, no matter the demands of this business.
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. :-)
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?
My wife of course. She’s an incredible actress and my rock, my go to… the folks my brother, and all my buddies back home.
Nanette Leonard, my first manager, believed in my from early on in my career, before I had a career, and continues to be a presence. She always reminds me to keep my integrity, and stay disciplined on this long journey.
Peter Dobson, one of the first people I met in Hollywood, now a dear friend. I grew up watching him on TV, and he’s been backing me up and a confidant since day 1, always giving me confidence when I wavered. Always watching out for me, every step of the way.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
‘Take No Prisoners’. My cousin said that to me once when I was hard up living in LA, and I heard it at a time I needed to hear it. Sometimes you look around and nothing your working on or towards is going for you. Were all human, the low points happen. But him saying that to me, however extreme it sounds, resonated. I needed to adapt that mentality, to give me that sense of my efforts being all-in or nothing approach. Believe it or not, it changed me. Something clicked. And now its the name of my production company.
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. :-)
Mark Cuban, hands down.
I admire the guy. Not for his worth, but for his choices. I don’t want anything from anyone, my path is my responsibility. But to sit down with him to ask advice on how he makes his choices, I’m seeking that in my professional life, and who better to get it from?
Mark if you’re reading this…Anytime. Anywhere. Lunch on me… I may throw in my mothers recipe for Sunday gravy.
How can our readers follow you online?
Instagram @thekevinintro
That’s amazing news. We’ll keep an eye out for your premiere.
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
