Meet Edouard Philipponnat: Actor

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

Hi Edouard, how do you think about risk?
The way I think about risk is actually by not thinking about it. It’s there regardless, in every direction you turn to some degree, so why stress about it? As an actor, that’s all I mostly do, stress about every little thing that I have no control over. And that’s okay, it means I care. But recently, I’ve started doing myself a favour, and not allowing myself to get stressed. Instead, I flip it because it’s all about perspective at the end of the day. If there’s risk in a situation, then the odds are already stacked against you. The expectation is not in your favour. So just ignore it, and go ahead anyway, because once you take that “risk” and go with it, whatever the outcome, you’ve already won. Because in the end, there wouldn’t be a risk unless it was related to something you genuinely cared about, so isn’t that worth pursuing no matter what? This way of thinking hit me during a tough point in my career. I was signed on to play my first lead role in, “The Runner”, an indie that’s coming out this year. The story revolves around an 18-year-old named Aiden, a self-destructive drug addict with a damaged past. I was fixated on the idea as to how I wanted to look and play the role, and was really inspired by what Christian Bale did in “The Machinist”. I really wanted to resemble someone who had abused countless drugs in their short lifetime and that started with changing my physique. I was about 160 pounds when I started my prep and went all the way down to 125 pounds by the beginning of the shoot. The idea seemed nice at the time and it was a way of challenging myself to do something I didn’t know I could do. But the risks… there were countless of them. I was advised against it by health specialists, I had an agent at the time who, and rightfully so, told me I could lose out on casting opportunities if I went down this route, and then of course, there was always the agonizing question in my head, “What if the movie isn’t made?”. With indies, you can go from your movie being green lit to it coming to a full stop in a matter of days, if not hours. You end up not being able to move much because of the weight loss and lack of food, laying in your bed the entire day hoping for a miracle and hope that it works out. But then again, I would never be where I am today if I didn’t take that risk. I barely had enough of a reel to show people before this opportunity. I decided to stick to what I was doing and let it make me or break me. Thankfully it all worked out in the end though!! Hehe. So at the end of the day, I guess if you look at risk as the biggest asset you have, it can actually work in your favour. At least it has for me.

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.
I’ve been an actor since I was about 13, when I was given my first small opportunity to be on a film set by producer Raffaella De Laurentiis. It’s all thanks to her. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have her support, mentorship and guidance. Every two years or so she’d be filming a new project in Europe and always kept me in mind for any small role that came up. And that’s how it all started. A few years later and ‘The Runner’ in which I have my first lead role is premiering at the Cinequest Film Festival. So far career wise, that’s what I’m the most proud about. I had never really done a role of that size and caliber before. I lost about 33 lbs to get the right look and so much went into that. I worked hard for it and I’m proud of the result. I’m heading over to Europe to start filming “Get Lost”, directed by Daniela Amavia, with Ella Bleu Travolta, as well as joining Sir Ridley Scott’s “The House Of Gucci” in May.

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’d probably go to Runyon Canyon. It’s one of my favourite places to hike! For food, I’m vegan and there are some great restaurants that offer plant based options. Thai Vegan & Monty’s Burgers are probably my top two!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the people around me. My parents have made me who I am in every sense of the word. They don’t come from an arts background, but they’ve never hesitated once in supporting me. My mother is someone I frequently leaned on early in my teenage years. She taught me to be open and to express myself freely in an environment where that wasn’t the norm. My father is that red cape and blue tights figure. He’s my hero. Words can’t describe how grateful I am for everything he has done for me, both throughout my career, but also as a person. He’s the closest person in my life and I feel proud to be his son.

Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm6594761?ref_=hm_nv_usr_profile

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edouard_philipponnat/?hl=en

Image Credits
Stefania Rosini