BYRON L. HOPKINS

Actor on the Rise

Interview by David R. Navarro

David R. Navarro: When did you first get involved in acting?

Byron L. Hopkins: My very first acting experience was in the theatre in middle school. We were Putting up Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest” and I had the honor of playing the loveable and drunk Jester Trinculo. It was the first time I heard the English language spoken in such an amazing way, I was hooked right away. I stayed in the theatre all the way up until high school when sports became more of a focus for me. Plus, I had gone from 5’9 to 6’3 over the summer and basketball was calling and the wonderfully loud voice of the theatre was slowly drowned out with screaming fans in bleachers. But, I would return to my first love (Acting) eventually.

DN: What or Who inspired you to pursue a career as an actor?

BLH: Well, early on I would have to say, Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte. They were definitely before my time but my mother loved them and I was so intrigued watching these two amazingly talented men on the screen who looked like me. They weren’t pimps or slaves or anything like that, they were leading men and darn good ones at that. I watched them and thought to myself “that’s gonna. be me one day”. Of course, id find out about Denzel and Will Smith as I grew older, but those 2 men were my idols. Then, I added Will and Denzel to my personal acting Mt Rushmore, later.

DN: What have been your biggest achievements in Films, TV, Voiceover, and/or Theater?

BLH: So, one of my biggest achievements is actually in the Voiceover world, but... I can’t talk about it just yet because it isn’t slated to come out for a few months. But trust me its amazing and a dream come true and I am extremely excited about it. But I can tell you one of my most fun roles was playing a Navy Seal in the TV show, StartUp on Crackle. I did my own stunts, I ran around and played in the dirt and shot weapons with a few of my friends who are also ex-military. So, yes that was a great day of shooting.

DN: I’m sure you have met a lot of celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

BH: I have met and worked with some pretty amazing people. I think one of my favorite stories is when I met Will Smith. I had booked a non-speaking role as one of the Orcs on the Netflix movie, Bright. We were all sitting around waiting for the next scene and I hear a familiar laugh and I turn around and bump right into WILL FREAKING SMITH! After all the life left my body for a second, I introduced myself and he greeted me and smiled and asked me if I was being treated ok on set. I said yes and he said good, let me know if that changes. Watching him work for a full day was amazing, it was a masterclass in acting. At the end of the day, I was able to say thank you to him and he shook my hand and told me good job and started to walk away. I yelled to him and said we’re gonna do a movie together one day. He stopped and turned and smiled and said, we just did man and walked over to his trailer. That was and still is one of my favorite days in acting, for sure.

DN: What has been your ideal character, so far? And why?

BLH: I don’t think I’ve played my ideal character as of yet. I’ve played some fun ones don’t get me wrong, but I am an action junkie and a comic book nerd at the same time. I want to be a Villan in a blockbuster action or superhero film. I’ll take Marvel or DC I’m not picky, lol. I’m in great shape, I have a Military background with the Marine,s I’m weapons trained, I box, I stay active with running and weightlifting, so yah I’m ready to go.

Photography by Hopkins House Photography

DN: How has your acting evolved since you first became involved in the film industry?

BLH: I think as an actor if you’re not evolving and getting better then why are you doing this. I use to think I needed big or loud movement to portray my emotions. I focus more now on the subtleties that draw in the audience. a small movement a shift in my body language or just a shift in my eyes can say as much as a yell can.

DN: If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion, or pride and why?

BLH: Definitely Passion. That is the fuel that I put in my tank every day even if it’s just enough to get me to the next day my Passion drives me. I mix the passion with the desire and those two get me up in the morning and help me continue to dream. That and my faith is what I’m all about.

DN: Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

BLH: Empathy and creativity for sure. Empathy is defined ed as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Not just receiving words you memorized for a character but really feeling what that character feels and breathing life into them, giving them a back story that’s not on the script.

DN: What has been your biggest challenge as an actor? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

BLH: I would say my biggest challenge is not letting my losses go to my heart and my wins go to my head. Always staying balanced and being able to enjoy the moment but know that this isn’t the end goal yet is what helps me overcome my challenges.

DN: A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art”. Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

BLH: I disagree about the suffering part. I believe we have to constantly push through and stay motivated but suffer is to go through something and not love it. Now yes do certain days make you want to quit abso freaking lately. But we’re not suffering we are serving and waiting to thrive in our career.

DN: How do you feel the Internet has impacted the film business?

BLH: I think its a good thing. Never have we ever been able to just pick up a camera, or a cellphone and start recording and post it to things like youtube and Instagram and possibly have millions of people see it. Even with my training and acting degree and all of that it really comes down to can you act? are you right for the part? answer yes to those and it doesn’t matter how your discovered just be ready.

DN: If you could change anything about the film industry, what would it be?

BLH: That a major Director would just knock on my door and offer me a huge role lol. No, but seriously I think having more diversity in front of and behind the camera is a huge help. I believe that will help us to tell different stories and we can see life through other people’s lenses. We’re getting better but we’re not there yet.

DN: If you could give 3 tips of advice to an up-and-coming actor, what would they be?

BLH: 1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or ask questions., 2. Be you nobody can be you but you so be the best you that you can be., 3. Every day make sure you are doing something that gets you closer to your goals.

DN: What projects are you currently working on... that you can talk about?

BLH: Lol, I’m glad you said what I can “actually talk about” becAuse those NDA’s are no joke man. Well, I’m always auditioning but currently, I am pitching a show That I wrote to a few networks right now. Also, I am working with Amazon on a few things in the Voiceover world. My beautiful Finance Paige Bryan and I are working on our podcast “Me 2 We” and looking forward to launching that.

DN: What’s next for you?

BLH: Well hopefully Marvel or DC will read this interview realize my awesomeness and call me to suit up for a super Villan or superhero film I’m not picky. But until then I will be acting up a storm on a few of everyone’s favorite tv shows coming up (if we can continue to film after COVID) and look out for me to voice a couple of characters on Netflix as well. But that’s as much as I can say.

DN: How can fans-to-be follow your career?

BLH: Easy you can go to my website www.byronlhopkins.com or just type in ByronLHopkins on Facebook Twitter and Instagram and I will pop up. I would love to hear from everyone especially all of my fellow creatives who might have questions that I can answer.

Twitter: @byronlhopkins, Instagram: @byronlhopkins Website: www.byronlhopkins.com