Meet Drew Talbert: Actor, Writer, Content Creator

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

Hi Drew, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I found my recent success at age 44 after over two decades of trying. There were many times I wanted to give up, threatened to give up or fantasized about a life free of the exhaustion of trying to make my dreams come true. Two reasons I never did: (1) As a teenager, I read a Reader’s Digest article about the singer, Jewel, who said she never had a “plan B,” and so there was no option to fail – even if it meant living in her car for a time. I took that advice to heart. And (2) my wife wouldn’t let me quit and continued to believe in me even when I no longer did. So, it’s partly a mindset of never giving up, and partly surrounding yourself with supportive people. I knew I had some talent. I had a few signposts along the way that encouraged me, such as earning a spot in the Groundlings Sunday Company. I felt deep in my heart I had a gift of entertaining people. But beyond that, it’s just simply never, ever giving up.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I found success making videos about my 23 years as a waiter. For most of those years, being a waiter made me feel like a failure, because I was trying to get paid as an actor and writer. So for those countless shifts to wind up being the fuel for my content is truly satisfying. It isn’t necessarily the path I would suggest for everyone starting out, but it is my unique story and I’m at peace with it. Alongside those years working in restaurants, I was working hard on my craft as an actor, writer and improvisor as well, and I’m proud of the growth I’ve earned. Part of that work is deeply personal. I had to overcome some mental health issues, addiction and insecurities in order to find the vulnerability needed to be an actor. So it took me a long time to find success, but all of the challenges I faced wound up making me strong enough to get where I am today.

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 them to a Dodger game, Disneyland, Malibu and to a show at The Groundlings. I know because I have already done all of these things with visiting friends. For food, we have to hit up Salsa and Beer for Mexican, Howling Rays for Nashville Hot Chicken (my hometown food! and H.O.P.E (great Thai vegan in the Valley). I don’t drink anymore so I’m a little out of the loop on the cool bars and clubs, but I’d be down to go to the Hollywood Bowl and bring a bag of In-N-Out and a bottle of wine for them.

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?
My wife, Andrea, is the easily the biggest factor in my success. She never let me give up, believed in me at my lowest point, and is indispensable creatively in my projects. She writes the restaurant sketches with me, gives me that coveted tough-love feedback in my editing, and co-hosts the Twitch Live Show. Beyond that, she is an amazing mother to our son, and she has the biggest heart I’ve even known. We are inseparable and I wound’t have it any other way.

Website: www.drewtalbert.com

Instagram: instagram.com/drewtalbert

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/drewtalbert

Twitter: @drewtalbert

Facebook: www.facebook.com/drewtalbertfb

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/drewtalbert

Other: TikTok: @drew_talbert

Image Credits
Andrea Kelley, Andrew Delman, Jess Pelphrey