Meet Amanda Lehan-Canto | Comedian, Writer & Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Lehan-Canto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Play. All play. Seriously, when they say we lose our imagination as adults… it is true! And for me, my success revolves around my joy, my imagination, and the goofy parts of myself that my adult brain desperately wants to control by saying, “Well, that’s not realistic, honey. That can’t happen, babycakes and that’s just weird and VERY SILLY, Amanda”. Once I agree to disagree with my mind, it’s all unexpected creative work from here on out. Because, my brand is me. That’s my work. I am the comedic relief, the ridiculous east coast character, the slightly quirky host who has no filter, the greatest eye roller anyone has ever seen and the fool. The moment I attach need/desperation/pressure to anything I do involving my art, I lose all the play and essentially my brand becomes unclear. Now, once I get to that spiritual, grounded, loosey goosey place then comes the next most important factor in what I think is behind the success. Preparation!!!!! And, absolutely being the most diligent student I can be. I study everything I need to know before I start my next project. I get as prepared as I can be with scripts, jokes, character background, location, wardrobe, and essentially the overall theme of the job. And as all good students do, I listen. That really is the key at the end of the day. I do all the prep so I can be fully present. Essentially, I believe it is most valuable to be a playful professional. Yeah! That sounds about right.

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.
My journey has been a long one with lots of twists and turns and wigs! I’ve wanted to be an actor since I was a little girl. I got cast in my first performance at age 5 as the “Cat” in “Cat in the Hat”. Yes, they made that into a musical and don’t ask me why. I was always the tallest girl, so my usual role was either an animal or a mom. Going off that start, I knew comedy was my path. I moved to Los Angeles and have been here for almost nine years. Wow! It started off with sketch and improv. I loved being a character, so I went through the entire program at The Groundlings theater and after some years, I became apart of their Sunday Company! It was intense, fast paced and very rewarding. I would say the hardest part about my journey was trying to figure out who I was as an actor. What I enjoyed doing the most. The stress of the business side of it all. And, what my brand was. I started thinking, my brand….hmmmm….tall woman? Portuguese? I have no idea. Once I started to actually figure out just by trial and error and doing a lot of weird student films, I got it! Now, I am a regular sketch performer and I’m fully immersed into the commercial world. My work is voiceover, commercial acting and hosting. I am currently the host for Amazon Alexa and it’s quite literally one of my favorite jobs, so far. I would say the biggest lesson I’ve learned, is if I wasn’t enjoying the work anymore then something needed to change. I either was doing too much or going down a path of something I didn’t enjoy doing anymore. With acting, there are so many different routes you can take. For me, If I overdo, I become unhappy. Sometimes, less is more with the work. That’s what I’ve realized moving forward in this industry. Focus on what your brainspace can actually take on. There will be more joy in it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Love Highland Park! My favorite new wine spot is called Holcomb! I’d say we’d get breakfast at Little Flower Bakery in Pasadena then make our way through the shops on Figueroa Street in Highland Park and find ourselves at Parsnip or Hermosillo Brewery for a bite and Holcomb for a glass of red. Also, if you have a bike- make your way down to Little Tokyo. There is a beautiful park right by the train and Hermosillo’s sister restaurant, Highland Park Brewery is just steps away. If I’m in the mood to see the ocean (which is often) I’d drive up to Manhattan Beach. Great shops and yummy dinner spots. I also am super into beer so I’d hit up The Fable in Eagle Rock. Awesome bar & lounge that does Karaoke (my favorite)! If you want a yum bite before you can go to Malbec Market right next door, you’ll never get better empanadas, I swear. And if you are dying for a sweet treat, The Italian Bakery in Eagle Rock is authentic. Cannolis galore! When i can get tickets, i always try to go see the Philharmonic Orchestra play at the Disney Concert Hall, right in DTLA. The music is so incredible and peaceful you might even fall asleep. Like a lullaby. Worth it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a shoutout to my constant well of material, my family. I have three strong female sisters, a wild, never by the book, will beat you in any card game and gloat until the end of time, wonderful mama and a grounded, type A, loves the sharknado movies, brilliant and loving Dad! All reside on the east coast. They give me all the characters I need. I also have to thank the comedy schools where I did all my training, The Groundlings Theater and UCB. The hilarious humans I wrote with, performed with and grew with added an incredible amount to my journey. What’s funny is, I don’t often watch comedy but when I do, it’s usually bizarre, dry and British. Who knew!

Website: www.amandalehan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmingamanda/
Facebook: facebook.com/filmingamanda
Youtube: bit.ly//AmandaLehanYT
Other: Amazon Alexa Host Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5DsJ8Kumr3WMPxK4Yr2Z8LMpM-pf8Yev

Image Credits
@PaigeMacPhersonPhoto Charlie Parada Photography