Meet Anne Hollister: Actor, Writer, & Comedian

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

Hi Anne, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and moved to New York City when I was a teenager to pursue an acting career. In fact, I started living on my own when I was 14 year old and that significantly impacted the kind of person I am today. Going from a small, conservative town to living on my own in Manhattan definitely required some adjusting. I quickly discovered I needed to know not only how to fend for myself but also how important it is to listen to and empathize with people who are different from you. Life is often about balancing the instinct to protect yourself from others while also understanding the value of letting others in. I learned that at a young age, and am thankful for that. I’ve found that I feel I am the most successful when I follow my gut. It’s a tricky thing to do, especially in the entertainment business, since people are always trying to feed you their own ideas of what success is and how to get there. My unusual upbringing I’d say is most responsible for my ability to navigate that space.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an actor, comedian, writer, and director who works in theater, movies, and television. I’m proud that I’m not one thing and hard to define. When I focus on one discipline, I learn something new about another. Most of my work revolves around angsty women and identity politics. My sensibility is funny and often dark, so I like to think it playfully challenges people’s egos. I also create comedic sketches on my Instagram @mygirlanne. Those videos revolve around the wide variety of shit I can’t stop thinking about, often related to the latest in pop culture…. or my favorite corners of pop culture, like the works of Stephen Sondheim.

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.
Rocketship Coffee on Melrose – Come for the rose ginger latte, stay for the coffee soda. Yes, you read that right… I promise it’s even more delicious than it sounds.

Wisdom Tree Hike – For the most extraordinary view of Los Angeles on both sides of the Hollywood Hills, take the steep trek up to the zen-like Wisdom Tree. It’s worth the workout! Then, if you’re still up to it, you can take an easier 20 minute hike to the Hollywood Sign.

Park LaBrea – This apartment complex for rich LA transplants with questionable taste offers some of the best people-watching you can get East of Rodeo.

Stories – It’s a bookstore AND a cafe. Ever heard of it?

The Vista Theatre – Probably the thing I miss most about pre-COVID-19 times is sitting in the gorgeous, old Vista and enjoying a movie.

The Mural of Cate Blanchett – Go pay your respects to the greatest living actress at Brad Robson’s gorgeous painting right off of Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz. There are other actors depicted, and even some neat theaters, shops, and restaurants nearby, but the Cate mural is the most important spot to me.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
LaGuardia Arts High School The People’s Light & Theatre Company

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4274760/

Instagram: @mygirlanne

Twitter: @anne_hollister

Other: https://vimeo.com/user39620292

Image Credits
Blake Eiermann