Today’s Pride Month interview is with actor Daniel Rhyder:
Hi, Daniel! I hope you’re staying safe and healthy during current events. What are you doing to stay creatively motivated in these unusual times?
Thank God definitely staying safe and healthy during these crazy times! At first I was kind of numb and didn’t have any kind of creative spark. I actually got scared for the future of the entertainment Industry and was worried that we might never get back to work. After a few panic attacks, and many glasses of wine, I decided to start painting again. It was never meant to be more than a hobby, it was always there to calm my nerves and keep my creative juices flowing. I had abandoned it, probably because of a brunch invite or a fun date night. Literally being stuck at home I was forced to find a way to not go crazy and a quick visit to Amazon.com got all of my supplies to me! My main inspiration has been rainbows (this was before I knew we’d still be in lockdown during Pride month!) Needless to say I have MANY rainbow paintings throughout my apartment.
Since June is Pride Month, I have to ask: how has being gay influenced or informed your acting?
I started acting when I was 9 years old and basically have never stopped. In my teens, as most of us are discovering our sexuality, I became hyper aware of my “lightness.” I had an agent insist I get vocal lessons to help with my “voice, and speech.” I was terrified for people to find out I was gay. I thought it would ruin my career. You have to remember I was a teen in the late 90’s, it was a very different time. When I entered my 20’s something clicked. I didn’t want to hide. I wanted to be authentic in every area of my life so I decided to come out professionally. I booked my first gay role on an MTV show called “Undressed” and I never looked back. And I’ve had the pleasure of playing some very interesting roles regardless of their sexual orientation through the years. Truthfully if I only ever play gay characters again, I would be thrilled. A character’s sexual orientation is only one part of the whole person.
Once you’ve booked a role, what’s your process for understanding or enhancing your character?
I’m really big on character development and the creative process. The human condition is also extremely fascinating to me. I’ve had a lot of great acting coaches through the years and everyone has reminded me that no matter what character you are playing you need to make them human. Not necessarily likable, but HUMAN, without judgement. So that’s always my goal to create a real life person from these words on paper.
What are you working on now, and what do you have coming out soon?
My last film, Façade, was actually released on Amazon Prime during the quarantine! I’ve been virtually auditioning as much as possible and as things start to open up I will hopefully book something else soon! In the meantime I might start a rainbow Etsy store. Just kidding, but actually might not be bad idea!
Where can interested people find you and your work online?
I have a number of projects that are available on Amazon Prime so search my name, Daniel Rhyder, and they should pop up. I am also on all social media platforms as Daniel Rhyder. And finally, I have a YouTube channel where you can view my reel and music video parodies I have written and starred in as well. More content to come soon! And my website is www.danielrhyder.com.
Daniel Rhyder is a Santa Monica, CA native, and has studied the Stanislavsky Method of acting for over 20 years. He has been in several independent films, most notably “Façade”, “Savage”,“Outcasts” , “Hatchetman”, “Far Flung Star” and “3 -Day Weekend.” Daniel started his career as a recurring character on the popular MTV scripted series “Undressed” which received a GLAAD Media Award for his episodes. Aside from starring in the critically acclaimed two-character feature film, “Layover,” Daniel can be seen in a Guest Starring role on the season two finale of ABC’s "Happy Endings.” He had a lead role in the popular web series “ The Cavanaughs,” which ran for four seasons, and had a recurring role on the outTV series “Boystown.” Recent press includes a feature story in "Hollywood Covered" where Daniel was listed as "one to watch".