When I was younger, there was a period of time where all I wanted was to be an actress. I took acting lessons, auditioned for plays, pretended I was various characters in movies. I just wanted to act. Well, that certainly didn’t turn into a career for me, but I’m still completely in awe of actors and actresses in Hollywood. To be able to completely transform oneself into a totally different role takes major talent, and it’s a pretty special career that most of us don’t get to experience. Josh Brener, 31, gets to experience it on the daily. He’s an actor living in LA, working alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. You’ve seen Josh in ‘The Internship,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Scandal,’ and most recently ‘Silicon Valley,’ among many others. He’s hysterical, hard working, and damn good at what he does. I love this interview because it had me laughing out loud multiple times throughout. It’s a good one. Enjoy!
Have you always known you’ve wanted to be an actor? If not, what inspired you to become one?
Pretty much. Or at least since I realized that professional baseball player probably wasn’t in the cards. I did my first play when I was about 12 and that was kind of it. I had two amazing teachers/mentors back then (Larry Dachslager and Gail Silver), and they really taught me everything I know and inspired me to chase the dream. (My mom would always tell Larry that this was all his fault and she’d never forgive him.)
What’s your favorite part about your job? Most rewarding? Most challenging?
Probably being around funny people. I’ve gotten to work alongside some extremely hilarious actors/writers/directors/key grips, and getting to laugh all day at work is a pretty rare gift, I think. And as for rewarding, a lot of people say that Silicon Valley really helps them unwind after intense Game of Thrones episodes, which is obviously extremely important, so yeah, that feels pretty good. And I’d offer a “challenge”, but I have a feeling that people who work hard for a living and have real jobs would probably not find my struggle with too many options at the Craft Services table to be super compelling.
What’s been the biggest ‘pinch me’ moment of your career, thus far? I imagine you’ve had quite a few!?
Oh man, I’m always waiting for someone to disconnect me from the Matrix and tell me this was all a lie. I’d be so bummed. Uh, let’s see, “pinch me” moments… Well, my mom and I just went to the Emmys together, which was pretty surreal. And a while back I was going through old boxes and found a Vince Vaughn poster that I’d had on my wall in college… I stumbled upon it right around the time I was working with Vince Vaughn. That felt pretty crazy.
What’s been your favorite role you’ve ever played and why?
Probably Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls or Moonface Martin in Anything Goes. (You did mean middle school theater roles, right?)
You’ve been in some big movies and on some big TV shows – what do you attribute all your success to?
Luck and nice people.
What actor(s) do you look up to and why?
Vince Vaughn. Very tall. (Sorry.)
What are you doing when you’re not working?
Right now mostly fantasy football. But in my spare time (when football’s not on), I do a fair bit of writing with my wife Meghan… which is mostly an excuse for us to sit in the basement where our dogs are allowed on the furniture. We’re insane dog people.
What advice would you give someone wanting to break into the industry?
Make something. Make lots of somethings. Shoot videos, do a podcast, tweet, vine, start an open mic, put up an improv show. Just make something. Anything. (Except a one-man show. Nobody wants to see that.)
What inspires you?
Right now, my friend Matt Ross (who plays Gavin on Silicon Valley). He made an absolutely beautiful film that everyone should see. It’s called Captain Fantastic, and it will make you dehydrated from crying. (In a good way, I promise. Go see it.)
What motto/quote do you always try to live by?
“I will build a great wall – and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me – and I’ll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words.”
What advice would you give your 20 year old self?
You’re an idiot.
Thanks, Josh!
Read past interviews here.
If you or someone you know might be a good fit for this series, reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you.
Josh, my pinch me moment is seeing a star being born. I told your mom you stole the show in Anything Goes. I was spot on then.
But, I also remember your superstar math skills.
You were always going to do great things. Your intelligence and work ethic made it quite evident. Always.
Much love and best wishes for continued success!
Xo