Growing up in the small, sleepy Washington State town of Sequim, Wayne Bastrup was not a young child that craved the center stage with ambitions to entertain. “I’m the middle child in our family. Compared to my brother and sister, I was shy and introverted in comparison,” explains Wayne. “I was more inclined to focus on sports, tinker on some wood working project in my dad’s garage, or get lost in a good book. Hopping on stage to perform would have terrified me as a kid. So it certainly took me by surprise when I found acting. It would become the antidote for my shyness.”
Early on, Wayne showed a particular passion and aptitude for the arts. He realized that through acting and music he was allowed to be emotional with little consequence or judgment, and found that drawing, photography and design were outlets for personal expression. “My dad was a plumber, although he received his degree in chemistry, but he’s also an artist – an amazing painter/sketch artist. He even takes classes to this day. I think it was my dad that inspired me to pursue different hobbies, including architecture, music, and eventually acting.”
Although he studied acting, Wayne chose architecture as his college major and graduated from the University of Washington with a Masters in Architecture. He also taught himself the drums. “When I was 16, my mom died of Cancer,” said Wayne. “I was really close to my mom. It was extremely hard on all of us, so I think I just gravitated to the drums as an additional emotional outlet. I began session playing in rock bands around Seattle and Portland, and in 2008 I formed the Seattle based rock-band ‘Gunbunny‘. We played professionally throughout the West Coast, and were able to open for some well-known National acts. Everyone is living in different states now, pursuing different things, but we still get together when we can and play shows.”
Throughout college, Wayne continued to nurture his acting craft with on-set experience. “I decided to audition for local films and commercials. I did anything and everything I could get my hands on. Student films, training videos, short films, features, etc. I was just soaking up the experience and knowledge on-set wherever I could.” explains Wayne.
From the beginning acting was definitely in the cards for Wayne. “The first major audition I ever went to was a network TV show filming in Portland. It was for a role on TNT’s Leverage, opposite Academy award-winning actor Timothy Hutton. I landed the role of Lt. Abbot and it just spring boarded me from there.”
Soon after, Wayne decided to leave the Pacific Northwest and head for Hollywood. “I took the “life lesson” approach into Hollywood, rather than the “Julliard” approach. And in many ways, I think that’s worked in my favor. Having to work a 9 to 5 job for years, levels you off, in a sense. Whether you like it or not, it grounds you.”
In Los Angeles, he began training at the prestigious Actors Workshop with RJ Adams and Rob Adams, embracing their ‘Meisner‘ approach. “Once I really got into studying the craft, I liked the way Meisner emphasized natural acting. It’s not about creating a character, but finding the emotional levels within yourself and reacting to your circumstances in a natural way.” explains Wayne.
Over the last few years, Wayne has successfully appeared, and starred, in a wide range of award-winning films and TV shows. Ahead of his most recent role in Paramount Studios Terminator Genysis, some of his recent credits include: Leverage, Awake, Whitney, CSI: NY, Radio America, The Mentalist and Love and Mercy. “I’ve been very fortunate to be a steadily working actor,” said Wayne. “My recent role is as the ‘young Detective O’Brien’, the 1984 version of the Academy award-winning actor JK Simmons’s (Whiplash), character, in Terminator Genisys. Many of my scenes were with Jai Courtney and filmed in the Lower Ninth Ward, previously devastated by Hurricane Katrina. During one of our more extreme scenes Jai’s hand was badly injured which delayed production. It was a bit of an intense moment for everyone. But Alan Taylor is such an amazing actor’s director. He quickly got everyone back to being focused and relaxed. And Jai ended up fine, but with a battle scar to remember.”
Terminator Genisys, which releases world-wide on July 1, stars action-hero Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I’m just humbled and excited to be part of the film and experience. As a kid I was a huge fan of both original Terminator films, so to have such a great role in the new film, it’s quite literally a dream come true.”
Wayne, who is represented by Scott Vandiver of Spotlight Management, can also be seen in the up and coming Bill Pohlad (12 Years A Slave) directed feature Love and Mercy. “I had the opportunity to work with Paul Giamatti and Elizabeth Banks. Plus, it’s the Beach Boys – and who isn’t intrigued by Brian Wilson’s story. I have other projects on the horizon but we can chat about those at a later date.” confided Wayne.
Aside from his passion for the entertainment business, Wayne was a competitive, sponsored mountain bike racer for over 15 years. “I used to compete in National races all over the U.S. But now, with the addition of my 8 month old daughter to the family, it’s become more of a hobby. It keeps me in shape.”
To aspiring actors Wayne noted, “It sounds cliché, but, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. As much as we all wish things could happen overnight, chances are, it’s going to be a long road. But if you keep at it, you’re bound to find success.”
Catch Wayne as young Detective O’Brien in Paramount Studio’s Terminator Genisys in theatres starting July, 1, 2015.
To learn more about actor Wayne Bastrup follow him on Twitter: @waynebastrup on Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialwaynebastrup or his website: Wayne Bastrup
