Joseph Wendrich is an up and coming actor born in Wales, currently working in Hollywood. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2023, he has worked in multiple projects such as short films, music videos, mini series, and an upcoming movie series, as well as writing and producing his own work.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey?
In 2018 I was lucky enough to be one of twelve young men to be selected to work with Frantic Assembly, a renowned London based theatre company. I then moved to Los Angeles to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and after graduating I’ve been working as an actor in LA. I’ve always loved travelling, which is one of the reasons acting appealed to me so much, and the opportunity to live and work across the pond has been one of the most exciting chapters of my life. I think travelling unlocks something inside you, opens your eyes to a bigger world and new perspectives, witnessing different cultures while somehow seeing your own place in the world more clearly, all of which helps you as an actor too. Although LA isn’t a far stretch from the UK in terms of culture, it is certainly my first step on a lifelong journey of adventure.
Have your parents influenced your career?
There really aren’t many things in my life that I can’t give my parents credit for. As well as being my literal teachers, as I was homeschooled, they taught me how to be independent, a free thinker, a leader, and a gentleman, all of which are qualities that have helped me immensely in my life. Both of my parents are artists, and growing up I really didn’t want to follow in their footsteps ironically, instead wanting a stable career. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and soon the restraints of stability suddenly seemed like some nightmare where I could see where I would be in ten years time, and after an inspiring trip to Iceland, I decided to become an actor. Most parents question their children’s decision to become actors, but mine were thrilled, and although they never mentioned it I think they were glad I was following an artistic path after all.
What are some of your goals and inspirations?
It has been my privilege to meet and collaborate with some of the most talented upcoming talent in the industry, as well as learning from industry professionals at the top of their game. Meeting people who have the same desire to make great and meaningful work and seeing the dedication and enthusiasm behind the creatives in the industry has been an inspiration and continually motivates me to keep pushing my own boundaries. Being of service to people has always been a cornerstone in what I want out of my career.
With this in mind I often questioned how an actor can be of service, as it can seem a selfish choice of career in many aspects. I would often ponder over a society’s need for arts in comparison to medicine or government for example, and I have always come to the same conclusion that, to me, the arts serve as a form of inspiration. They are the stories that are passed down through generations that continually tackle the current issues in society, or the age old questions regarding love, death, and destiny. In any case my goal as an actor is to inspire people the way I have been inspired, through stories that affect you and give voice to
how you feel inside.
What are some of the rewarding aspects of being an artist?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist for me is the freedom it provides. I love not knowing where my career will take me, both literally as you can be in a LA studio one week and the Amazon jungle the next, and in terms of what projects I will be working on, each with their own unique challenges. I love being able to show people something I made or was a part of, creating something that I can look back on proudly and say, “yes I did that.”
What is something you wished you knew earlier in your career?
Growing up I never thought I would be an actor, partly because I was a shy kid, and partly because I had no idea how the world of acting worked. It seemed like one big mystery and I didn’t know how to enter it, and this is made even harder by the fact that there isn’t any one way into it. For me training was a huge part of my acting journey, not just because it really helped me develop my craft in a way that helps me understand it intellectually, but because it also provided opportunities to enter the industry, simply through the people I met. Making connections really is a huge part of the puzzle, and by connections I simply mean meeting and being open to working with other creatives on projects, who in turn introduce you to more people and it grows from there. Through training I was also taught the basics in how the industry works, and my place in it as an actor. From casting sites to the importance of
having an agent or manager, setting up an IMDb profile, and the various unions and the benefits of joining or not. For anyone new to the industry, Actor’s Access and Casting Networks are two casting sites that you can get here in the US, and through them you can
apply for projects yourself and apply for representation.
I also recommend watching the YouTube channel Actors on Actors for an insight into the career journeys of some of the
greatest actors working today. If there was anything I wish I’d known sooner, it would be to take more risks in my acting. Far better to fail than to never have tried, and time goes by so quickly that by the time you feel ready, the opportunity has usually passed, so just jump in and figure it out as you go.
