Kevin O’Sullivan has built a long, lucrative career in entertainment while splitting his time between New York City and LA. He first gained major recognition on the iconic TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, sharing the screen with a standout ensemble that included Jason Priestley, Ian Ziering, Jennie Garth, and Brian Austin Green, before going on to guest star in NBC’s Days of Our Lives. In 2024, O’Sullivan earned Best Supporting Actor at the Egyptian American Film Festival in New York City for his portrayal of Officer John Nelson in the Oscar-qualified film The Deal, and he’s now set to continue that momentum with his upcoming roles. We had the opportunity to discuss his career and current projects
Kevin, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. You were born in Los Angeles but raised in Potomac, Maryland—two very different worlds. What did each place teach you about identity, confidence, and performance before you ever stepped onto a set?
Great to be here! Los Angeles and Potomac, Maryland, are two different places, but in turn, they are so alike. What I meant is that while growing up in Potomac, I was around wealth and celebrities. Sugar Ray Leonard, Sylvester Stallone, Lynda Carter, Darren Star – they were my neighbors. I carpooled to military school with Warner Brothers “August Rush” Hollywood Screenwriter Paul Castro. As a kid, I competed for attention with the best of the best. But I always wanted to head back to LA. My friends who I grew up with in Potomac would call me a “dreamer”. Potomac was my home, but I still had this incredible desire to go back to where I was born – LA – and be a part of the dream factory that is Hollywood. I loved my time growing up in Potomac, but I always knew in the back of my mind that LA was going to be the place for me, and I couldn’t wait to go back.
Do you remember the exact moment acting stopped being “interesting” and became necessary—the point where you knew you had to pursue it seriously?
For me, acting has always been my drug of choice. In my career, there have been certain times in my life when I took short breaks from acting. In the early 2000s, I married my gorgeous wife and together raised our beautiful daughter. Even when, from time to time, I had to take a “regular” job, acting was always on the back of my mind, and I had to find a way to get back to it. Though I wasn’t on stage or on screen, I would keep in touch with all of my acting buddies and former coaches. I read, watched movies, and discovered new acting techniques. I could never “give up acting”—it’s in my blood. From that first time I stepped on stage as a teenager to today, I always knew this was my destiny.
Early on, what did you think the industry was… and what did you learn it actually is once you were inside it?
I learned from a very early stage in my career you had to stay flexible. Being an actor, you will face rejection and doubt. “Am I good enough? Will I ever book that one part that will make me shine and people take notice?” The great thing about my career (so far) is that I’ve had a lot of peaks and valleys—but you just have to realize that this is the business and take all the bumps and bruises along the way. Show business is very fickle, and there is a lot of change and growth going on right now in the industry, but you have to keep in mind what you love about your career, why you put yourself out there, and why you never forget the reason you are here—for the love of acting.
Your first major role put you in the orbit of a cultural phenomenon with Beverly Hills, 90210. What did that experience teach you about pressure, visibility, and staying grounded when the spotlight turns on fast?
It was an extremely exciting time to be working in television at that moment in time, and being surrounded by such talent at the beginning of their careers. Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, and so many others in the cast knew right from day one that this was going to be big and the start of something great. Looking back on it, I’m still pinching myself that I was part of that cast from the very beginning. It was definitely one of the highlights of my career, and I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything. Very exciting times!
Looking back, who were the mentors that shaped your craft, and what’s one piece of guidance you ignored at first but later realized was gold?
Every actor and teaching coach has taught me something. One of my first teachers was a man named Ralph Tabakin, who got his start at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. and years later became Director Barry Levinson’s “lucky charm” and cast Ralph in many of Levinson’s movies, starting with “Diner.” Ralph had a great flair for acting, but at the same time, taught me how to stay grounded. I learned a lot from Ralph. After my time at The Maryland Academy of Dramatic Arts, I moved on to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California, and had a whole different experience learning from great teachers in voice, technique, and even dance. I’ve been very lucky with all the mentors I’ve had over the years, and I even find time to help new actors as well.
Every actor has a “quiet struggle” period that the public never sees. What were the hardest parts of your early years financially, emotionally, or creatively—and what kept you moving forward anyway?
I’ve talked earlier about having “breaks” in my career. For every struggling actor, money issues are always something you have to worry about. Early in my career, I’ve had some disappointing losses in auditioning for parts I know I should have gotten—but bad luck or timing happens, and you always seem to miss that one chance that could have really made your career. I know many actors have given up after some bad luck. For me, I always knew there would be something just around the corner. I told myself years ago that acting was too important for me just to surrender to fear and doubt. Someone told me years ago that never strive to be a “star”—the goal is to become a working actor, and that’s always been my goal in this business.
What opportunity changed your trajectory—not necessarily the biggest role, but the one that opened doors internally (your mindset) or externally (your network)?
Beverly Hills, 90210, and Days of Our Lives definitely opened doors for me. From there, I’ve enjoyed small roles, like the small part I had in Copland. Meeting actors like Sylvester Stallone and Ray Liotta and watching them work was such an eye-opener for an actor. It made me want to pursue acting even more. Right now, my trajectory is looking good. I’m enjoying being part of this new industry, and I hope it keeps going up and up!
As mentioned, you’ve guest-starred on legacy television like Days of Our Lives. What did working in that kind of fast-paced, long-running production environment teach you about discipline and adaptability as an actor?
Working in the soap opera world, like Days of Our Lives, is very challenging, and it’s not for every actor. I really enjoyed the challenge, and I look back on my “Days” time as a great learning experience for me. Would I go back to it? Well, never say never, but for right now, I’m looking for new challenges as an actor. I love my time with “Days” and I admire every actor working in that media. But for me, right now in my career, I would love to do more movies and choice tv roles.
Winning Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Egyptian American Film Festival for The Deal is a major milestone. What did that recognition validate for you—and did it change how you choose roles afterward?
It was definitely a rare honor to win that award. I don’t know if it changed me, but the recognition did make me want to reach out and find more challenging roles. I am still awed that I won and very honoured to be chosen. I’m proud to work with Director McGregory Frederique in this American Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences Oscar-qualified film. I wouldn’t mind winning a few more awards…an Oscar or Emmy maybe? (laughs)
Your portrayal of Officer John Nelson clearly resonated. How do you approach playing authority figures or morally complex characters without reducing them to stereotypes?
At this point in my career, I seem to be cast in a lot of authority or complex characters. Villains for sure. I love it! My goal has always been to strive for more character roles, the more challenging the better, and I’ve learned from the motto: “Character actors always work!” As long as the work is challenging, please keep the roles coming!
Across Tal, Lord Hear Our Prayer, and Unveiling Shadow, what themes keep showing up in the roles you’re choosing right now—are you consciously curating a “chapter” of your career?
They seem to love to cast me as a villain, or something a little scary. To me, those are the most challenging roles as they are so different from my own personality. Many great actors have spent their careers playing tough guys and villains. It’s such a change from when I started playing young leads years ago. I’m really happy playing something totally different from me. I hope the roles keep coming!
With Choleric, directed Sebastian Fabres, arriving this year, what drew you to the project. Was it the script, the director’s vision, the character’s psychology, or something personal you wanted to explore?
Well, I first read the script in-flight, and let’s just say I was captivated by how dark and twisted it seemed to me. I had already worked with the Director, Sebastian Fabres, on another project and understood his style of filmmaking. His filmmaking approach is collaborative, which I really like. Communication between him and the actors on set, in the moment, is an approach I really like and I thrive in. My character is pretty dark and he worked with me to get that energy out of me and hopefully it shows in front of the camera. The film stars Morgan Warren and I’m excited for the release sometime this year.
You split time between New York City and Los Angeles—two different creative ecosystems. How does each city shape your work, your ambition, and the kinds of stories you want to tell next?
I love them both for totally different reasons. I always get excited, and my blood is pumping when I’m in NYC. It’s a totally different vibe, and I love the excitement of the big city. LA is a totally different animal. Very exciting in its own way. When I’m working in NYC, I’m excited about Broadway and its great history. LA has that great movie history. I am a major film fan and love watching old movies and learning about the history of LA. I think it’s hard to choose whether I love one or the other more; I am just so happy to be part of both worlds.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
This was so much fun! My website is https://www.thekevinosullivan.com and @thekevinosullivan on Instagram.
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