Rising Star Lara Wolf On The Five Things You Need To Shine In TV & Film
…There is no secret to this. A lot of people want to sell you their secret. Everyone has their own path, and you just have to stay true to yourself. That’s one of the most important things. If you really want to do it, then do it. Don’t find excuses. Don’t baby yourself. Do it. A teacher once told me, “Don’t baby yourself,” and I didn’t understand what he meant at first, but it was good advice. It was tough love, but it was good advice…
I had the pleasure to speak to Lara Wolf. Lara, an accomplished actress and writer, is gaining significant attention for her diverse roles and international background. Known for her versatility, Wolf’s upcoming major role as Queen Berenice in the Peacock Original series “Those About to Die,” directed by Roland Emmerich, is set to premiere on July 18. The series delves into the brutal world of ancient Roman Gladiator Games, highlighting their dark side and drawing parallels to contemporary entertainment. In this epic series, Wolf’s character, Queen Berenice, a Judean Queen romantically linked to Titus Flavianus (played by Tom Hughes), is featured in seven of the ten episodes, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
Wolf’s career trajectory is marked by a variety of roles across different genres. She has made notable appearances in popular TV series such as ABC’s “Quantico,” Amazon’s “You Are Wanted,” and “Blue Bloods.” Her film credits include “The Performance,” “Hot Air,” and “These 3 Waters,” the latter of which she also wrote. Her ability to seamlessly transition between styles and genres has established her as a dynamic force in the entertainment industry.
Born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in Zürich, Switzerland, Wolf brings a unique cultural perspective to her work. She currently resides in New York, reflecting a cosmopolitan lifestyle that enriches her performances. Wolf’s linguistic skills are impressive; she is fluent in English, Farsi, Swiss German, German, and has a working knowledge of French and Italian. This multilingual ability not only enhances her acting repertoire but also allows her to connect with a broader audience.
Wolf’s journey into acting began with a solid foundation in academia and early professional experiences in Switzerland. She studied Psychology at the University of Zurich and worked as a television host and fitness model for StarTV. Her passion for acting led her to the United States, where she trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. This rigorous training, combined with her diverse life experiences, has equipped her with a robust skill set that she brings to every role.
Throughout her career, Wolf has portrayed a wide array of characters. From playing a detective in “Blue Bloods” and “Blindspot,” to a mistress in Amazon’s “You Are Wanted,” and Princess Nora in “Quantico,” she has demonstrated remarkable range. In the film “Roxana” by Elahe Massoumi, she starred as an Iranian journalist, and in “Family of Too Many,” she portrayed a Bahaii wife. Her role as the right-hand assistant of a mobster played by Gerard Depardieu in “BigHouse” further showcased her adaptability.
Wolf is also a founding member of the Primitive Grace Theatre Company in NYC, where she collaborates as a writer and actress with her mentors Paul Calderon and David Zayas. In the film “The Performance,” directed by Shira Piven, she acted opposite Jeremy Piven and Robert Carlyle, showcasing her singing talent. Recently, she starred alongside Golshifteh Farahani in the film “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” directed by acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Eran Riklis. This role is particularly meaningful as it brings to life a narrative she had connected with during her youth.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Wolf is passionate about physical and mental wellness. An avid tennis player and Pilates enthusiast, she emphasizes the importance of staying active. Her commitment to overall well-being extends to supporting others in their pursuit of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Wolf’s personal background is as intriguing as her professional one. Growing up between the structured, analytical culture of Switzerland and the colorful, chaotic world of Iran, she learned to navigate and embrace both. This duality has enriched her perspective and deeply influenced her artistic expression.
Wolf’s journey in the entertainment industry is a testament to her talent, determination, and ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments. Her upcoming role in “Those About to Die” is eagerly anticipated and promises to further cement her status as a versatile and compelling actress.
Yitzi: Lara, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Lara: Yes, of course. So I’m half Iranian, half Swiss, and I’m an only child. I was born in Tehran but never lived there. I was raised in Zurich, and my mom made sure that we went back to Iran every year. Whenever I had a little Swiss two-week holiday, we went straight back. That was really nice because it allowed me to see a world very different from Switzerland. I saw the different struggles people have, the things they celebrate, and the different styles of aesthetics.
It was interesting to grow up between these two very different cultures. Swiss people are very practical, analytical, and pay great attention to detail. They’re never late. Iranians, on the other hand, love color and flavor and thrive in chaos. If there’s no chaos or humor, we don’t like it, and we’re always late.
So, I always had to toggle between these identities. I would say there was maybe a bit of an identity crisis. But as I got older, I understood that it’s not that I’m half and half, it’s that I’m full and full. I now really appreciate that it’s not a double life, but a broad life.
Yitzi: Amazing. So, can you share with us the story of what brought you to this entertainment career and the success you have today?
Lara: Oh, God, where should I start? Well, in Switzerland, I was on an academic path. I didn’t know anyone around me who did performing art as a profession. It just wasn’t a thing, so I never even thought it was possible. But I had my hobbies. When I was a kid, I always loved to sing and perform. I was shy with other people — I’m still shy — but art gave me permission to express myself.
It took a while, until I was maybe 16 or 17, to really understand that if I didn’t have art in my life, I’d be miserable. I needed an artistic outlet to express myself. I did theater as a kid, like school theater — nothing big — but I had the experience, and I remembered it.
At some point, I changed my mind about my career path. I was going to be a psychologist. My parents put a lot of effort into my education, so I decided to finish my degree. A Persian mama has to be happy, otherwise it’s not good. If I wasn’t becoming a dentist or a doctor, I thought I should at least get the degree. So I did that, and in the meantime, I saved up money and then just radically moved to New York. I went to an acting school, got an agent after graduation, and then just never stopped. I never, never stopped.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories from all the sets and productions you’ve been on. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite memories or stories that show what your life is like?
Lara: Something that strikes me as really hilarious is from when I started in New York as an actress. The industry was very different back then. My first agent didn’t really care what languages I spoke. He just saw me as kind of European and kind of Middle Eastern. I kept telling him I spoke Farsi, but I would still get auditions.
I didn’t have it in me to say, “I don’t speak Arabic.” So, I would go to the corner deli owned by a Syrian family, and every month I’d stand there with two scenes and a recording device and ask them to translate the lines into Arabic. I’d record it, learn it phonetically overnight, and then go to the audition the next day, trying to remember what I’d learned.
After doing this maybe 14 or 15 times, if not more, I saw a friend of mine, an Iranian actress. I asked her if she was doing the audition in Arabic. She said, “No, I’m just doing it in Farsi.” I was shocked. She said, “They won’t know the difference.” I couldn’t believe it. I was putting in all this effort, and she just booked the role speaking Farsi.
I told my agent to please send me out for roles with languages I actually speak or can manage. It was a lesson in the idea of perfection. Growing up in Switzerland, everything is very structured, but show business is not like that. It was a good lesson to learn.
Yitzi: OK, it’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting and the lesson you learned from it?
Lara: I mean, it goes a little in the same direction of knowing what you’re good at. See the things you can improve on, but if there’s something you just can’t do, it’s OK. There’s enough for everyone. You don’t have to do everything. Be yourself, focus on who you are, and make that bigger. I always thought I could do everything, but learning to focus on my strengths was a big lesson for me.
Yitzi: We love stories where someone who’s a little more advanced opens a door for somebody and changes their life or career. Do you have a story like that where someone did you a favor that had a long-term impact?
Lara: Well, you know, I don’t like to ask for help. Maybe I got that from my parents, specifically my mom and grandma. My whole family is like that. But at some point, I realized it’s impossible to do this career alone. You need a community to help each other. It’s incredible when someone does something for you without asking for anything in return. It almost makes me cry because actors need so much support.
I’ve had a few people along the way who, despite a six-hour time difference, would get up at five in the morning to read a scene with me for an audition, help with memorization, or just be there to make me laugh. Those small acts of kindness are really nice as an actor because the industry can be so hard.
Yitzi: From the outside, it’s hard to imagine it being lonely. It seems like there’s so much vibrancy and community, but I understand what you’re saying.
Lara: Of course, there is a community of artists, and that’s lovely. But auditioning is so competitive and such a high-focus situation that you sometimes have to drop your social life. Over the years, I’ve learned to have people who know that about me and don’t take it as an offense if I have to cancel because of work. They understand that I’m not bailing because I have better plans; it’s work, and my work is unpredictable. When friends are still there on the other end asking how it went, that means so much.
Yitzi: So you have so much impressive work, Lara. Can you share with the readers some of the exciting projects you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future?
Lara: The near future, I’m not allowed to say. But it’s exciting. I have two projects that I’m very excited about. One is “Those About to Die,” which was really a dream come true. The way it happened was interesting. A friend reached out to me about eight months before I even received an audition and said, “Hey, there will be this amazing show. Let your agent know.” So I did. My agent reached out to the casting director, but we just fell through the cracks.
Then eight months later, I received an email from an Italian casting director that came directly to me. They asked if I could audition overnight. I read the pages and thought, “Wow, this is it.” It was very well-written, strong, with beautiful language and rhythm. I was really excited about it. Then I realized this was what my friend had told me about eight months ago. The next day, I was shortlisted. It’s just strange how it happened.
In the meantime, I had booked a role for “Reading Lolita in Tehran” with Eran Riklis, a director I really love. We were flying to Rome to shoot this film, and now the series was also supposed to shoot in Rome, but I didn’t hear anything for the longest time. Right when the film wrapped, I got the offer for the series, and it lined up perfectly. There was something out there that aligned that for me, and I’m forever grateful it happened.
So yes, I have this film “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” starring Golshifteh Farahani. It’s an amazing project based on a New York Times bestseller. I had read that book when I was 16 or 17 years old. The fact that it came back around is mind-blowing.
Yitzi: So could you tell us how your character, Berenice, compares with your real character, Lara? How are you similar? How are you different?
Lara: You know, when I started to prepare for the role, I didn’t compare her much to myself. But she reminded me a lot of my Persian grandma. Berenice was so dedicated to her family and her people, and the sacrifices she made, being in the eye of public shame and scrutiny, showed a lot of strength and dedication. These are qualities I really admire and have seen in my grandma.
My Persian grandma divorced my grandfather in the 50s, threw her ring down the toilet, and raised three kids on her own. She obviously had her reasons, but I can imagine that in Tehran back then, and, even more so today. For a woman to say, “I’m going to raise these kids on my own, and I don’t need you,” is a very bold move. Somehow, I kept connecting that to Berenice.
My grandma gave me this amulet, and I still have it. It actually looks like it could have been Berenice’s. Maybe it is 2000 years old; I don’t know. (Laughs) But my grandma always brought me little pieces of jewelry, and I had that with me for the entire shoot. I had to carry it with me always. It was something that somehow connected me to this character. It’s a bit difficult to put into words because it felt primal, something that goes beyond the rational ways of language.
Yitzi: OK, so this is our signature question that we ask in all our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, do you have five things that you know now that you wish somebody had told you when you first started acting?
Lara: When I first started, I mean, one thing definitely is not everyone has to believe in you. You have to believe in yourself, and that’s good enough. Second; focusing on the craft is still the most important thing. Even if you hear things like, “Oh, it’s about connections, not talent,” if you’re in it for the long game, then hopefully you take pride in improving your craft. It should bring you joy to get better and become a stronger artist and performer. So, focus on your craft.
Third thing, know when to say no. You don’t have to do everything. But at the same time, if you really want to do something and your reps don’t think you should do it, but you believe in it, you should do it. Don’t let anyone talk you out of things.
Fourth thing: there is no secret to this. A lot of people want to sell you their secret. Everyone has their own path, and you just have to stay true to yourself. That’s one of the most important things. If you really want to do it, then do it. Don’t find excuses. Don’t baby yourself. Do it. A teacher once told me, “Don’t baby yourself,” and I didn’t understand what he meant at first, but it was good advice. It was tough love, but it was good advice.
Fifth thing: Take care of your heart and your well-being first. If you’re not physically or mentally well, you won’t perform well.
Oh, and I have a bonus sixth thing. You always have to focus on being kind. If you’re not kind, you’re not going to survive in this business. Kindness is something that we can learn. Just be kind to everyone. That’s it.
Yitzi: So you mentioned taking care of yourself. Can you share with our readers the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Lara: Yes, of course. I need to sweat once a day. Even if it’s just 20 minutes, I have to work out. Ideally, in the morning, to get it out of the way, and then I can start my day. It’s good for my mental well-being and physically. It’s something I’ve been doing for many years, religiously. Along the way, I learned how to meditate, which turns out to be fantastic. So I try to do that, especially during the day. If I can find three minutes, I’m so proud of myself. And then, just surround yourself with good people who make you laugh. It doesn’t have to be 50 people; one is enough. If they make you laugh and you can make them laugh, that is my recipe for my heart.
Yitzi: This is our aspirational question. Lara, 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 movements that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Lara: I honestly think if everyone practiced being kind every single day, and had a kind reaction to someone, the world would look much better. Take the higher road, just do it. I think the world would look so much better.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they watch your upcoming series? How can our readers support what you’re doing in any way?
Lara: Well, I wish movie theaters were still a big thing. I really do. But unfortunately, we don’t know if that’s going to be the case. If people see the work and like the work, that’s already great. Especially if little girls can be inspired in some way, that would be fantastic.
Readers can watch Those About to Die on Peacock on July 18th, and follow me on Instagram @laradwolf .
