Meet Edmond Laryea | Actor, Writer & Producer

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

Hi Edmond, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is my relentless work ethic, and my ability to stay the course. I truly pride myself on staying focused through all of the distractions. I also have a very good support system, that includes my mom, siblings, and a great group of friends that I call brothers. But work ethic is what separates the ones that get out of life what they truly want.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It took me a while, but I finally found what God has placed me on earth to do. TELL STORIES. Growing up in Italy, I was always artistic. I loved to draw, paint and create images. But I was also very athletic, and I think I felt more rewarded at that time, expressing myself through sports. But fast forward to, 6-years of college football, a rookie mini-camp invite with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,  a 6-year career at CBS Sports, which also included short stints at SNY, The Yes Network, Rutgers Radio, Verizon Fios, I finally found acting. Funny enough, I always wanted to work in Television, I was just trying to figure out in what capacity. The journey here was rough, but it was needed. It made me develop such an appreciation for the process. I now know why, when you finally “make it” it’s such a big deal. Acting is creating a world that the audience can naturally and genuinely relate to. Acting can be defined and taught in many different ways, but the most important in my opinion is realism, and how closely we can recreate reality. Some of the challenges I face as an actor are the uncertainties of the profession; especially in the early stages. You always have to be ready for auditions, you have to stay flexible, work survival jobs (especially at night and on weekends), constantly be in class, networking, studying, and researching. You have to do all of the things necessary to position yourself for that one life-changing opportunity. Because you never know which one will change everything for you. So, I overcome those challenges by working and doing everything possible to make sure that I put myself in the best position to be successful.

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.

Well, let’s see… A week with me in LA would look like this:

A visit to the following attractions: Public Art “Urban Light”, Museum of Art, Sunset Strip Blvd., Hollywood Walk of Fame, Runyon Canyon Park, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the National Forest. I love bowling and the beach so Hollywood Bowl & Venice Beach are easily in play. As far as spots to eat, we’d have to do an in-and-out burger at least once, but more importantly, we have to check out my favorite spots; Cabra, YSABEL & Joey DTLA. I’m a big sports fan so we’d have to check out a pro sports team playing live, depending on the season, ideally football, it’s only right. And in terms of nightlife, it varies, but Hyde Sunset, Warwick, and Elevate are spots I really like. And if we are really trying to turn it up, Exchange, when the right DJ is in the building of course.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that I’ve been blessed to have in my life. I really don’t take it for granted. I’d have to start out by acknowledging my Mom and sister Edna. They are by far the biggest reason for all of the success that I’ve had in my life. My mom is the empathy of an unselfish person. I mean, anyone that knows her, knows why. She’s made so many sacrifices for myself, my siblings, and our entire family. She is the walking definition of unconditional love. My sister Edna, has had my back my entire life, just truly an amazing person. She not only supports my dreams and aspirations, but she actively helps me in making them come true, regardless of what the dream was. And the rest of my siblings and my Dad, I love them to death, I just wished we were able to spend more time together. My family down in Virginia is anchored by my Uncle Sam and Aunt Lawrencia, and a major shoutout to my cousins, Samantha, Doreen, Virgil, and Lawrencia. We stick together no matter what, and I’m humbled that they look to me for advice and guidance. My best friends and brothers from High School; Tunde Ogunlana, Ahmed Adebola, Abraham Kromah, and Ollie Ogbu. These guys motivate me so much. They really make sure we are consistently holding each other accountable. We push ourselves, and we don’t let each other off the hook when it comes to getting things done. I also have to thank their mothers and families, who are now part of my family. Evan Odeseye, Brandon Burel, Adrian Adderley, Chardley Jean-Baptiste, Gabe Ostrow, Kyle Hayes, Brandon Bing, Nii-Amon Robertson, Kenneth Gordon, Matt Hardison, Kenan Herbert, and Julian Hayes, are another group of guys that I love dearly and really keep me on track. It’s very important for me to make sure that my friends are doing well and striving to be the best that they can be. Evan is a fellow actor and has really helped me navigate the industry. Along with fellow actors Devale Ellis, Haulston Mann, and Mister Fitzgerald, I thank them for being there with me on this journey. I also want to thank everyone at Tottenville High School in Staten Island, NY. The community there is unmatched. I’ve grown to love each and every one of the people there. They have really shaped me into the person I am today. The Munson family, which includes James Munson, who was my high school head coach, Ken Munson Sr., his son Ken Munson Jr., who is one of my dearest friends, and John Munson, who has made so many sacrifices for the family. They’ve played a pivotal role in my development and I am forever grateful. I have to thank the Rutgers University community and football team as well. I met life-long friends there, and the lessons that my coaches taught me are lessons that I apply to this very day. Head coach Greg Schiano, and Kyle Flood, who recruited me while at Rutgers and is currently at the University of Texas, were signification figures in my life and I am truly grateful for the decision that I made to go to Rutgers. Last by not least, I have to thank the people I met at CBS Sports, that’s where I spent the majority of my adulthood working, and I met some really amazing people there. I always have to give a big thanks to Stephen Karasik for the opportunity he gave me, as well as Tim Pernetti for making the introduction. And I have to thank the lifelong friends I made there. Michael Millstein, Ade Ellis, Sharán Watson, Andy Freedman, Michael Nastri, Jared Roberson, and many more. I can’t thank you guys enough for the great times we had and the brotherhood we continue to share. I couldn’t mention everyone by name, but I am truly grateful for all the people that I’ve had come into my life. I thank God for each and every one of them.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/edmond_laryea_/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-laryea

Youtube: www.youtube.com/theedmondlaryea

Image Credits
Orion McKinley Photography, LaRese King Photography, Sunscreen Film Festival “WAKE UP!” Film premiere, “Junior” Film Premier and Dicks Sporting Goods