Meet Drew Powell | Actor/Musician

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

Hi Drew, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For me, I think this question should be rephrased to say “why did an artistic/creative career pursue me?” I say that because the truth is, I feel my career as an actor was a calling from the very beginning of my life(at least as far back as I can remember)!. Of course, it took me all the way through college to figure out that that was OK and I could go pursue this thing even though I didn’t really know how. From the time I was very young whenever I would perform, whenever I would watch other people perform, there was a feeling deep inside that I never knew how to describe. That feeling is still there and I can tell you after 25+ years in this business. I literally can’t imagine myself doing anything else…I mean I try, but I just can’t do it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I got my first job on Malcolm in the Middle by accidentally poking myself in the eye. What I thought would probably be my worst audition ever ended up being the job that started my career! I’ve been very lucky to play lots of different kinds of characters over the last 25+ years. Comedy, drama, superhero, Indy, good guys, bad guys, zombie swamp monsters…. I love it all! My goal from the first day I stepped on that Malcolm in the Middle set is the same goal I’ll have when I walk on the set tomorrow (on Ryan Murphys Monsters) and that is to be prepared and do good work, and to bring positive energy and build people up whenever I can. There’s no question there are long hours and tough days in this business but I would take it over anything else in the world. Bringing positive energy can really help in those rough moments and I believe a connected cast and crew produces a better product.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of the things that’s great about Los Angeles is there so many different kinds of things to see and do. Of course you can hit the Sunset strip and Hollywood Boulevard and Beverly Hills but you can also head up Fryman Canyon and hike or drive out to Malibu and put your toes in the sand! We definitely have some favorite spots. We like to hit in our neighborhood (Studio City area) like Jumping Java for breakfast, Caioti Cafe for lunch or any number of Mexican restaurants for dinner! We often will drive up to Mulholland and watch the sunset from one of the overlooks. It’s amazing to look at the city sprawled out from on top of the mountain. We have a little spot we like to go to that’s not crowded up past Malibu, but I can’t tell you where it is because I don’t want it to GET crowded! 😉

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to start by thanking my family. My Mom and Dad(Jim and Peggy Powell) were so supportive —even when I said “Hey, you know that expensive education I just got? I’m gonna drive across the country and get paid 15 grand a year to do a part-time job while I try to be an actor! Cool?’ I’ve always believed I could do anything I set my mind to and that’s because they gave me the tools and the confidence to think that way. My younger brother and sister too(Than and Elizabeth)! Nowadays, they’re still supportive, but I get my daily support from my incredible wife, Veronica(who was a make up artist on the Bonanza prequel I did in Australia back in 2001!) and my 13-year-old son Leo, and of course our little scruffy dog Elsie. There’s so much rejection in this business and so much uncertainty I don’t know how people can do it without having a solid foundation….a touchstone….for all those moments when it feels like you have no control of your own livelihood! I’m a very lucky man and I know for sure that my success can be attributed to that solid foundation.

Website: DrewPowell.com

Instagram: RealDrewPowell

Twitter: thedrewpowell

Facebook: Drew Powell

Youtube: @realdrewpowell

Image Credits
Holly Lynch Photgraphy(the headshot)