Kevin Mac is an actor, writer, director and standup comedian from Los Angeles. He started in theater as a kid and today he is best known for his role in FOX Digital series Suit Up where he played Jewish hip hop music mogul and a booster obsessed his alma mater’s sports team. Read the interview to find out more!
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS KEVIN MAC IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
Its always hard to describe yourself. How you see yourself and how the world sees you are typically so different. I’d say I am an artist at heart. I genuinely care about connection and an exchange of ideas between people. I like to think of myself as a good person and I honestly enjoy people. I do my best to always be present.
HOW DID YOU START AND HOW WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY?
I started in theater as a kid, but if we are talking about tv and film I started at 27 doing background work. I was legitimately obsessed from the first time I stepped on set. I was playing a fire fighter and was dressed in full gear in Valencia in August. It was HOT! Regardless I never left set. I wanted to know how everything worked, what everyone’s job was, how they got started, what the process was on set. I wanted to know everything. It got so bad that the cast and crew got to know me by first name basis and by the end of the 12 day shoot I was sitting with them at lunch. I got my first SAG voucher on that first job.
WILL YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT INTO YOUR PROCESS AS AN ACT0R?
Typically from the moment I receive a script I start to create a back story for the character. I try to put together a lifetime of memories for the character not defined in the pages. I imagine life experiences, create memories between other characters, develop manurisms, speech affects, and movement unique to the character. Most important I create a relationship to my wardrobe once I’ve been fitted. Where my character bought the clothing, why I bought it, and where the shoes have been.
WHAT KIND OF PREPARATION OR RESEARCH DO YOU HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO PLAY YOUR ROLE?
It always depends on the role. Unfortunately I haven’t played any historical figures yet but I have played characters with serious mental issues and I have had to research medical terms and conditions specific to those afflictions. The preparation is dictated by the character.
AS AN ACTOR, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ROLE SO FAR?
Definitely Luther Montague. I played Luther for 2 seasons of the FOX Digital series Suit Up. He was so much fun to play. He was a Jewish hip hop music mogul and a booster obsessed his alma mater’s sports team.
HOW DO FANS REACT WHEN THEY MEET YOU?
It depends where they recognize me from. The social media fans are usually younger and typically get a little more excited. The fans of my acting work tend to be a little older and just express their appreciation for my work. Either way it’s always really fun and I’m excited that anyone even cares for what I do. I’m blessed to be able to do what I love and they make it possible.
WHAT ELSE ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AT THE MOMENT?
I am also a stand up comedian. I have been performing for 3 years now and I have really gotten obsessed with the craft. It has moved fast and I have been lucky enough to open for some big stand ups and to call the Mecca of comedy my home club. The Comedy Store.
WHERE DO YOU USUALLY PERFORM STAND-UP? WHAT’S YOUR MATERIAL LIKE?
The Comedy Store is my home club. I am there most often. I travel and do road shows as well. My material is definitely focused on life experiences and things that really affected me. Honestly it’s like therapy for me. I get to be vulnerable and make light of some pretty rough parts of my life. It’s important to laugh at yourself.
HOW IMPORTANT IS PERSONAL BRANDING IN YOUR PROFESSION AND WHAT YOU DO TO GROW YOUR BRAND?
Now with social media becoming so necessary in the world of entertainment it is very important to make sure you have a platform. It’s also very important that your platform is true to who you are. People can spot fake a mile away. I grow my brand by being myself and trying to make people laugh and forget about their problems for a while. I also try to relate to people that we are all going through rough times. To relate is the most important connect.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE ASPIRING TO A CAREER IN THE ARTS?
You MUST have a thick skin. Rejection is inevitable. I have heard it hundreds of times. In fact you hear it MOST OF THE TIME. you just have to remember that your talent may not always fit the mold they are looking for. It doesn’t mean you don’t have it. Just keep creating.
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