Rising actor and musician Ethan Rich (“American Born Chinese” and “Ke Nui Road”) chatted about his latest endeavors.
‘American Born Chinese’
He is known for his recurring guest role as antagonist Greg in “American Born Chinese” on Disney+. “It was so good, the whole team was incredible,” he said. “I was so excited to work with these people, even before I auditioned. The whole story was so good, I loved doing.”
‘Ke Nui Road’
Rich was offered to test for the series lead in “My Life with the Walter Boys” on Netflix but he had to turn it down due to the “Ke Nui Road” pilot hold.
He just wrapped as a series regular in John Wells’ “Ke Nui Road” pilot on HBO Max. “That was amazing, that experience was so good. I would work with John Wells and that whole team again if I could,” he said.
“Being in Hawaii, surfing, and acting was just so surreal. I really loved the character too,” he added.
Other roles
Rich also booked the lead in the Broadway workshop of “Jack & Diane” with director Kathleen Marshall. “That was cool, that was my first professional gig while I was still in school,” he said. “It was a really cool workshop, and that’s what drew me to do film and TV. With theater, I’ve always wanted to be a part of those original stories as well.”
He is known for a recurring guest stint on “Sistas” on BET, as well as his starring roles in “Hawaiian Vacation,” “Last of the Grads,” and his supporting role in “Black Diamond.” “‘Sistas’ was cool. It was my first time working in Atlanta with Tyler Perry,” he said. “They shot it pretty quickly.”
The digital age
On being an actor in the digital age, especially now with streaming and technology being so prevalent, Rich said, “I grew up really doing only theater, and I didn’t do anything with the screen up until COVID. I really like the mini-series and the things that streaming has offered and the quality they’ve brought TV to. It’s unfortunate that the compensation was lacked for the writers, actors, and the crew in general, in the sake of quality TV.”
“The opportunity to live anywhere and do my self-tapes from anywhere is something I have taken advantage of. I like the freedom that the digital age gives,” he added.
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he responded, “Figuring it Out.”
Hobbies
In addition to being an entertainer, he is also into extreme sports and a surfer. “Surfing is a thrill to do and it’s really addicting,” he admitted. “It’s addicting to have that thrill over and over again. It’s an expressive art form. It’s scary at times but really rewarding.”
Advice for hopefuls in acting
For young and aspiring actors, Rich said, “If you have a love or passion for anything else, go do that thing because this is a very difficult path to be on. Figure yourself out first, know what you love and what you believe in.”
Success
Rich defined the word success as “my parents being proud of me.” “Making yourself proud, and everybody that you love proud,” he said.
To learn more about actor and musician Ethan Rich, check out his IMDb page, and follow him on Instagram.
