Actor, producer and acclaimed poet David Bianchi has a string of television appearances on hit shows, numerous film roles, theater credits, and over 20 producer credits. He has recurring roles as ‘Manny’ on USA Network’s “Queen of the South” and “Paco” on the Netflix show “Insatiable” and will also be appearing alongside Margot Robbie in Warner Bros/DC Comic’s Birds of Prey, releasing in 2020. We had the pleasure of speaking to him about his career and forthcoming projects.
Hi, David! Thank you for granting the interview. Congratulations on your career so far. How did you get into acting?
In my first play (in 3rd grade), I played captain hook in “Peter Pan.” That was the first time I was on stage in front of a lot of people, it continued through High School, but I didn’t take acting seriously until my mid-twenties 2001.
I eventually decided to go to theatre school. I didn’t just want to be another good-looking guy with a headshot; I was interested in the science of things. I wanted to learn as much as I could about dramatic arts, the history of drama, as well as techniques (motion techniques, movement, voice, and diction). I learned all these things at Arizona State, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Theater, where I had the honor of training under Marshall Mason (he holds four Tony awards, multiple Obies, and a lifetime achievement Tony). He’s one of the more legendary living directors.
You’ve made many appearances in both film and television. To date, what has been your career highlights, and why?
A personal highlight was sharing the screen with Oscar Winner Anthony Hopkins and Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Wright in Season 2 of “Westworld.” Truly a magical moment in my rise. “Queen of the South” is a huge highlight, as well. That team gave me a big break by booking me for eight episodes. “Queen of the South” really helped put my career on the map! However, every opportunity to play in front of cameras is a highlight. Being granted the opportunity to create something that many people dream of doing.
You’re currently in the popular TV Series “Insatiable” and have a recurring role as ‘Manny’ in “Queen of the South” Tell us more about these roles and what appealed to you about them?
On “Queen of the South,” I had the privilege to play a Mexican on the show. I was raised in Mexico City, and my Spanish is native. I can handle the Mexican dialect quite well. I was very aware of the US version and told my Atlanta agent I wanted to be on the show and to get me seen, and they did. The rest was up to me. That was also a self-tape audition. That show going back now four seasons has never held a physical audition. They have booked the entire series off tape. Even Hemky Madera (who plays Pote) was an off-tape audition. It’s fascinating to see the evolution of the casting process and how it is affecting the Hollywood landscape.
The producers of “Insatiable” decided to hire me as the ring-leader of a Brazilian cartel on a few episodes of their show. I was able to do live capoeira (that I did when I was younger), so it was fun to have some fight choreography on camera. This was also a self-tape audition. My experience made me a safe bet once they saw I could perform the character well. Work begets work, and the bigger your body of work, the more apt you are to get the job.
In addition to the TV roles, we can look forward to seeing you in DC’s “Birds of Prey”: The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, alongside Margot Robbie and Ewan McGregor. Can you tell us more about your role?
No matter how big the film or the TV show, when you remove all the lights and trucks, it all boils down to actors in a scene, whether it’s opposite a Golden Globe nominee like Ewan or a kid fresh out of college. The mechanics and intentions don’t change. Ewan is incredibly kind and very encouraging, and it was an honor to play opposite him. Cathy Yan, the director, was a charm too. She has had a meteoric rise, as well. She went from a 1M Sundance film to an $80M DC film off the support of the great Margot Robbie. You will see me in this film when it releases in Feb 2020. I am under strict confidentiality, so nothing more can be discussed here.
You are a known spoken word poet, with appearances on two seasons of the award-winning TVONE series “Verses and Flow.” Please tell our readers more about this side of your work?
I have been a spoken word poet for 20 years and have competed all over the country. Over the past 12 years, I have been producing high concept spoken word films (most recently alongside Emmy Nominated, Grammy Award-Winning actor/poet Malcolm Jamal Warner).
I hold 18 film producer credits, 16 screenwriter credits, and am the founder of Exertion Films. I am a member of the Producers Guild of America and have been nominated for the prestigious Imagen Award (considered the Latin Golden Globe). I am currently in production on “Catalyst” (directed by Christopher Folkens). I star opposite Patrick Kilpatrick, Michael Roark, and Noel Gugliemi. This is my 5th feature film as a producer. I am also a writer on this project, as well.
The spoken word is different from acting. How important is it for you to have different artistic outlets for expression and creativity?
I think it’s very important to have outlets that keep you busy. I am also a fine artist as well and have exhibited in galleries in several states.
The differences are clear in terms of the respective art forms, most solid poets can act, but not all actors can spit poetry. The written word and spoken word is more performance art than it is just writing. It is a moving physical performance that is alive and charged. A good poet evokes a real catharsis in the audience very much like live theatre. Having various outlets keeps you sane in this business. You can’t always rely on the phone to ring and for “them” to give you opportunities. You have to create your own so that you can stay busy during the flatlines of Hollywood. I encourage all and any artists to do what they can to stay inspired, so you don’t just wait on a casting director to give you an opportunity.
Do you have anything else in the pipeline we can look forward to?
My book “Pursue. Reach. Attain. Retain. Repeat.” will release in the coming months, which is a spin cycle to success and identifying your molecular level gift. It also outlines much of my story somewhat autobiographically. Leadership speaking is part of my creative portfolio. This book will be a strong platform to further my brand in that space. I recently played the lead opposite Jennie Garth in a big Lifetime release called “Your Family or Your Life.” That came out on Nov 1st. Now available for streaming. I also have a few indie films that are either at festivals or getting close to release. A great darling called “Evergreen” that I co-star in with Olivia Applegate that just won at the Houston International Film Festival that critics are raving about. I also have some other projects in the oven that I can’t speak on now, but you’ll be seeing a lot of coming very soon!
So, where can we keep up to date with your activities?
- Instagram:@davidbianchi_official
- Website:www.davidbianchi.actor
- Twitter:@davidbianchi
- Other:www.exertionfilms.com
We wish David the very best with his book and current movie projects!
Lead Photo Credit: Darrin Vangorder
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