Ronnie Blevins is one of the most consistently working character actors today with over 100 films and television shows to his credits. He recently shot the third installment of Twin Peaks to be aired in 2017. He also played one of the leads in New Line’s Within due out this fall. His lengthy film resume includes supporting roles in Seven Psychopaths, The Neighbor, The Dark Knight Rises and David Gordon Green’s Joe. He’s also recurred on hit shows such as True Detective, Kingdom, True Blood, and Southland.
You’ve starred in so many awesome film and television projects, such as Seven Psychopaths, The Neighbor, The Dark Knight Rises and David Gordon Green’s Joe. He’s also recurred on hit shows such as True Detective, Kingdom, True Blood, and Southland. This is a true testament to your incredible talent. When you look back on your career, do you feel you’ve done enough or there is much more to do?
That’s very kind of you to say. I never feel like it’s enough, although, I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. I’m mostly grateful because it seems that the stuff that I’m hired for fall right along with the type of projects that I actually watch. For instance, David Lynch, Chris Nolan and David Gordon Green are my favorite directors. The fact that they hired me without any prior knowledge of my admiration for them astounds me. I count my blessings every morning.
Take us through the process of receiving a script. What draws you to a role?
Well my mom reads all my scripts first and foremost; I read them at the same time. We then call each other and talk about it. She’s so good with story and character motivation. Then I try to determine if there is something new about the character that I haven’t done before. Often times I play bad guys. So I definitely look for the vulnerability of a character and try to gauge if there’s a way to show the character’s humanity. I also consider the director. I will try to see their past work, but that’s not always a luxury. Sometimes I’m dealing with first time directors, so I have to take a little of faith based on conversations we might have.
You’ve had the opportunity to play the most evil and emotionally challenging characters, such as Willie-Russell. How do you even prepare for a role, like Willie?
Joe was sort of an ideal situation. I had about a month with the material. Also, David Gordon Green is probably the most actor friendly directors alive. But ultimately I deal with evil characters the way I deal with any character. I certainly don’t think of them as evil. I immediately try to justify their actions. Even if the story doesn’t give me the character’s justification; I imagine it. In Joe, I gave Willie Russell an alternate version of history. I imagined that Cage’s character had an affair with my mom years ago and that he didn’t treat her so well. This allowed me to act with justification. I try my hardest not to play evil. I try my hardest not to play what’s on the page. Sometimes I’m more successful than others times. Willie Russell was one I’m very proud of.
You’re in pre-production of Harlem River. We know you can’t go into details, but could you tell us about the role of Brother Ron?
I haven’t read the script yet. I’ve read pieces of the script. I know the writer/director is Nick McCallum. He’s a dear friend and a great director. I’m excited to see what he has in store for us. He’s always writing characters for me that in some way go against type.
You’ve played so many amazing characters. Which character(s) resonated with you?
Willy Russell was one. The opportunity to work with Gordon Green was one in which spoiled me. I’ve never felt so free with a character. The character of Ethan Inglebrink in American Cowslip was one of my favorites. I wrote the character alongside Mark David. Here was a character with so much pathology. However, the pathology was born out of real pain and suffering. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. So many roles since then have been seemingly villainess guys. It meant a lot to play a sweet person.
Having such an extensive acting portfolio, are there other areas of the industry you would like to work in, in addition to writing?
I would love to direct and plan on doing so coming up. I wrote a script called The Art of Madness and plan on directing and starring in it alongside my wife. It’s a dark comedy about a man, who rides across the country with his recently deceased wife’s corpse in the passenger seat of his 1969 Cadillac convertible. Only, he doesn’t know she’s dead. He’s schizophrenic delusional man, who can’t deal with his wife’s death so he goes off his meds in order to imagine her back to life. It’s pretty cool. I’m excited to take all the steps needed to get it done. It will no doubt be a long, arduous process. But I’m up for it.
That sounds exciting! Speaking of writing. You have two writing credits: American Cowslip and Eiderdown Goose. Tell us about the projects.
I wrote American Cowslip as my response to an industry that was not hiring me. I said, “Screw it! If people aren’t going to hire me, I’m going to hire the people I want to work with to be in my movie”. That’s exactly why I made it. This movie paid dividends. The movie came out and people took notice. I started getting hired. I really owe any success I’ve had in the last seven years to American Cowslip; yet, another reason why Ethan Inglebrink means so much to me.
We agree! Star in your own roles. We mentioned that in a Twitter tweet a while back. Do you plan to write more scripts?
I have not thought much beyond The Art of Madness. Writing comes so hard to me. However, when a script is finished . . . there is no feeling like it. But, I think in the end . . . I’m not a born writer. I’m a born actor! I have to act! I write as an ends to a means!
With such a busy schedule, what do you do to relax between projects?
My greatest thing I do to relax is spend time with my six month old son. I have such a beautiful family in my wife and my son. My family is my greatest accomplishment. I believe it makes my creative life so much richer. They sustain me through it all.
Are there any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I’m so thrilled about Twin Peaks and Death Wish. I can’t say much about either. Other than to tell you I think both will destroy expectations. David Lynch and Eli Roth are right up there with DGG; beautiful souls, wildly creative people who I got along with so well.
What’s next for you?
I’d like to be on a series. The thought of having an expanded amount of time to experience a character’s growth (or de-evolution) is really appealing to me. I’d like to continue working with the directors who I admire; really, just more of the same. I feel very blessed to have worked to do extent I have. I would really just be grateful for more of the same.
Connect with Ronnie:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1237235/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ronniegblevins
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronnieblevinsofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronniegeneblevins/
About Author
