Meet JaDarrel Belser | Actor/Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with JaDarrel Belser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JaDarrel, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I decided to pursue a creative career because I found that it brings me the most Joy of anything I’ve done in my life. I love talking about movies and TV shows and video games and such. The moment I got the chance to finally do what I’ve always dreamed of in that I became an actor, I knew from then that this is what I wanted to do with my life. The process. The commitment. The achievement of being able to get your ideas from the page to the screen is so gratifying. There are hassles and difficulties in any job you pursue but I would personally rather have those difficulties doing a job that makes me happy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m first and foremost an actor but I’ve also become intrigued by the prospect of writing. I’ve gotten where I’m at professionally as an actor through sheer hard work and perseverance. It was not an easy climb and it’s still a work in progress. The biggest difficulty I found is trying to overcome the stigma of being simply ‘a big black guy’. More often than not, I’m usually just put as a bouncer or security guard or a football player and I know I can do so much more than that. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as an actor is to ‘get out of my own way’. When I say that, I mean commit to the role and don’t think of it as ‘you’ playing it. Just let go and let the role take you where it needs to go. What I want the world to know about my brand is that I want to show how versatile a black performer can be. I don’t want to be pigeonholed into any one category. I can do drama. I can do comedy. I can do horror. I can do romance. All that matters is that I can accomplish the role that has put before me. And I can do it with style.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were to come out to hang with me out here in LA, we would mostly just be chillin’ all honesty. There are a lot of cool spots I can take them. We could first go to the touristy spots just to get those out of the way. The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Santa Monica Pier. Maybe one of the beaches like Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach. Definitely Venice. As far as where we would hang out, we’ll probably go to one of the nice cigar lounges out here in Los Angeles. Bo’s Cigars in Torrance. Drobe’s Stogies in Inglewood. The Debonair off La Brea. As far as food goes, I would definitely take him to Roscoe’s or Lucille’s. If we had enough bread, I would take them to Lawry’s Prime Rib or Fogo De Chao off La Cienega.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My writing partners Tim Mathis and AJ Jackson. I’ve worked on projects with both of these men and we have worked very hard to try and make these ideas of ours become reality.

Instagram: @thebelser

Twitter: @thebelser

Facebook: JaDarrel Belser

Image Credits
Sheldon Botler, Desirae Richardson