Meet Ahku Gardner | Actor

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

Hi Ahku, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe that my artistic career chose me and that it was in my DNA. Two of my sisters including myself have always been into drawing, painting and poetry. I remember doing a stage play in the first grade and falling in love with performing. As a child living in the world of imagination was a place I spent a lot of time. Like most children I loved “cartoons” and I would draw my favorite characters on any sheet of paper I could get my hands on. As a child I wanted to learn animation and become a cartoonist, but eventually I enjoyed performing a lot more. It was a natural progression and a inevitable road to pursue a career in the arts.

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.
What sets me apart from others is that I learned not to take this business to heart. This is an art that I would do for free. I didn’t get into this business to become rich and famous. It’s an artform of expression that allows me to be an “interpreter of the universe”.

I’m most proud and excited about my new film “The Death Of Us” written and directed by “Yonash Breneman” and co written by “Anthony Theodorakos”. It stars “Dana Schick” who won best actress for our film from the “IFS/LA FILM FESTIVAL” and co starring myself. We shot the film during the beginning of the pandemic. And I’m thankful for the positive feedback the movie is receiving.

I got to where I am today by faith and determination. It wasn’t easy sleeping in my car and not having a place to live. But it all worked out in the end. I believed in myself and my spiritual practice. I learned to never quit and never give up. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. I want the world to know that what ever world you desire to live in you can create it.

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.
I would take my friends to eat at a nice vegan eatery I enjoy called ‘Sugar Taco’. I have a few hang out spots and one of the coolest is the ‘Rooftop Utopia’. Great music and a great atmosphere. For those who love the arts I would take them to the ‘Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures’ and the Tupac Shakur ‘Wake Me When I’m Free’ Exhibit.

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?
I would like to give a shot out to my parents. My father George, my mother Dorothy and my stepfather William. These three who are no longer with us, had a huge impact on my life.

I get the personality and analytical brain from my father “George” an Army veteran. I learned from my father how to enter a room and engage with people. My father was 6ft6 tall with a “deep baritone voice” that could be very intimidating for some. He had a way of disarming people with his huge smile and charming wit that made him known in many places. I inherited those traits from my father and it has allowed me to have lasting relationships with many walks of life.

My mother “Dorothy” I can’t say enough about. I always say that I got my heart from my mother. My mother was a woman who worked as a teachers assistant for over 30 years. She was such a loving and giving mother when it came to her three children. Dorothy was my biggest supporter when it came to the decisions I made in my life. Rather it was me recording music or doing standup comedy. I find it very difficult to visit this experience I was so blessed to have with my mother. I lost my bestfriend. I’ll just end it with I love you mama!

My stepfather “William” was the man that raised me and two of my sisters. The family called him “Mac” who was an Army veteran. My stepfather also was an ex Police officer and a retired lieutenant at “San Quentin State Prison”, Mac moved my family to live on the grounds of the prison that had homes built there for staff members that worked for the prison. I seen my stepfather go to work everyday and deal with conditions unimaginable to provide for his family. He enjoyed watching football and played drums for a band called “Burnt toast”. He and I had many talks about life and stepping up to the plate. I appreciate all he did for our family as a dad and I feel my success is a way of showing my appreciation.

Website: www.IamAhku.com

Instagram: @IamAhku

Twitter: Ahkureel

Facebook: Ahku

Image Credits
Photography by Aaron Alpert