Meet Fil Swan | Musician, Actor & Voice Actor

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

Hi Fil, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Moscow, Russia, into a family of actors in the early ’90s. I still vividly remember the mid-’90s when foreign films and music started to appear in our lives. It was all so new to me—so bright, so diverse. I was completely mesmerized. I started devouring foreign films, rushing to the cinema whenever I could, and diving into this exciting new world of sound and visuals. And, of course, I couldn’t get enough of the music.

That’s when it hit me: Wow, I want to be part of this. I wanted to act in films like that and make music that could stand alongside the best Western artists. At some point, when big Hollywood blockbusters started making their way to us, I asked my dad, “When will we start making movies like these?” And he said, “Oh, we’re still a long way off.”

But that answer didn’t discourage me—it did the opposite. It planted a seed. I promised myself that one day I would make it to Los Angeles—the city of dreams, of cinema—and try to break into this incredible industry. I imagined myself acting in films, making music, driving cool cars, shooting stunning videos… That’s when the dream was born.

Then, in the early 2000s, something happened that really solidified everything for me. It was 2006, and I watched Justin Timberlake’s concert in New York. It completely blew my mind. He was playing instruments—first the piano, then the guitar—and seamlessly transitioning to singing and dancing. It wasn’t just a performance; it was an entire experience. I thought, This is it. This is what I want to do.

At the time, though, it all felt so far away—like a fairy tale. I was still in school, still figuring out who I was and how to get there. But that moment lit a fire in me. I started dreaming of Los Angeles more than ever, of being part of that world. And from then on, every step I took was about getting closer to that dream.

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 see myself as a musician, voice actor, and theater and film actor. These are three completely different areas, but I’ve managed to achieve things in each of them, and I’m really proud of that.

First off, I think one of the biggest milestones for me was getting into the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) back in 2008. It’s one of the top five acting universities in Moscow, incredibly prestigious. Honestly, it felt like getting into Hogwarts. I studied there for four years, and those were some of the most amazing years of my life—four years of non-stop work and learning. Acting, vocals, dancing, all the disciplines—it was like a dream. But what I realized is that getting in is hard, finishing is even harder, and staying in the profession is the hardest of all. And I’m proud that I’ve made it through all those stages and that I’m still doing what I love.

As a musician, my big breakthrough happened in 2019. On my fourth try I got on the show The Voice. My performance at the Blind Auditions got over 4 million views and got into the international tops on YouTube. I’ve always wanted to perform on big stages—stadiums, and venues with thousands of people. The bigger the crowd, the bigger the responsibility, and honestly, that’s what gives me a rush.

I’m also proud of my songwriting. I started composing my own music, and the fact that people are listening to it means so much to me. Just last year—2024—my music hit over a million plays across various platforms. And of course I’m so happy that now I have songs in English.
Knowing that my songs are being heard, sung, and played is the greatest happiness I could’ve ever dreamed of.

When it comes to voice acting and dubbing, I’ve worked on over 150 films. These are movies that were officially shown in cinemas across Russia and even in other countries where they had Russian distribution. On top of that, I’ve voiced a huge number of commercials and video games, including titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Final Fantasy XV, League of Legends, and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.

I absolutely love this field. It allows me to express myself as an actor, and it’s also something I personally enjoy as a fan. I love watching TV shows, going to the cinema, and, of course, video games. I don’t always get a chance to play them as much as I’d like, but I really enjoy the style and creativity behind them.

One of my biggest achievements in this area is that I’ve started doing voice work in English. I’ve gotten to work on games, ads, and just recently, I voiced a big hour-and-a-half nature documentary about foxes—all in English. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

I’ve always wanted to be someone who operates on an international level, a person of the world, so breaking into English voice work means a lot to me. It’s a big step toward that dream.

As an actor, I’m really proud of the fact that I’ve been a part of 26 projects in Russia, including some motion capture work. On top of that, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to shoot here in Los Angeles.

I’ve already managed to act in major TV series and even share the screen with amazing talents like Jenna Ortega, The Weeknd, and Seth Rogen. Plus, I got to be in a Super Bowl commercial for ESPN, which was such an exciting experience.

The funniest thing is, when you look back, you realize just how much you’ve already done. But at the same time, there’s still so much left to do. It hits you—you’ve probably only accomplished a tenth of what you originally planned. And to stay competitive, you need to keep pushing harder, doing more, doing it better, faster, and constantly adapting to this ever-changing world.

This profession is far from easy. There’s nothing straightforward about it. It’s full of uncertainty—no guarantees, no clear paths. Sometimes you don’t even get paid right away. You have to do so much upfront, create something, present it, and only then maybe, just maybe, someone will buy into it.

It’s a career for dreamers, for people who really want it and who are thirsty to create—to sing, to perform, to be on stage. It’s a profession for the desperate, the fearless, the ones who just won’t give up.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you have to dream as big, colorful, and detailed as you possibly can—without holding back, without being afraid or “modest.” Everything is achievable, even the biggest, craziest dreams.

For example, my dream was to be in Los Angeles, to work in the music and movie industry here. And I had that dream when I was just a boy in a small neighborhood in Moscow. But it’s all possible—you just take it step by step. There’s no ready-made plan, no clear roadmap. It unfolds as you move forward.

It’s kind of like a video game. As you progress, new areas start to open up. You see a little more of what’s possible, and then you decide, “Okay, I’ll go here next, then there.” And little by little, step by step, things start to come together. That’s probably the biggest wisdom I’ve picked up—it’s all about those small, consistent steps. And honestly, that’s what helps you deal with the uncertainty.

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.
Oh, if I had the chance to show someone around Los Angeles, I’d definitely make sure they see the city in all its glory. First, we’d start with Griffith Park—both during the day and at night. Watching the sunset there is magical. Then, of course, Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach are a must. For so many people who’ve never been to California, Los Angeles feels like a place straight out of GTA V.

Naturally, we’d have to check out the Hollywood Sign—it’s iconic. I’d take them downtown for a quick drive around to soak in the vibe, and while we’re in Hollywood, we’d definitely hit up a couple of rooftop spots. My favorite is Bar Lis—it’s got such a cool atmosphere, and we could grab either a cocktail or just a good cup of coffee there.

I’d also suggest heading to Santa Barbara, especially on a Friday evening. The main street there is so charming. And then Newport or Oceanside are great for a relaxing stroll along the waterfront. Oh, and San Diego is a must, especially if it’s a Friday or Saturday night. Gaslamp Quarter is buzzing with energy—all the bars and that lively vibe make it the perfect place to spend an unforgettable evening.

If there’s time, I’d make sure to include some of the incredible parks. Yosemite, with its waterfalls, and Sequoia, with those ancient, thousand-year-old trees, are absolute must-sees.

Now, if my friend happened to be into music, we’d hit up Sunset Boulevard. I’d show them legendary clubs like Whiskey a Go Go and The Viper Room—places that are basically landmarks in music history.

And, of course, we couldn’t skip Universal Studios or Disneyland in Anaheim. Whether you’re into rides, movies, or just a bit of fun, those places are perfect for rounding out a trip to LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, of course, and there are probably a lot of them. But if I had to pick, I’d say musicians have inspired me the most. Music has always been with me—it’s always in my player and has been a constant in my life. Musicians have shaped me in so many ways.

The first one, of course, is Justin Timberlake. He came into my life when I was 16, and he felt like an older brother, in a way. He showed me what music could be. It probably started with his album FutureSex/LoveSounds—he showed that music can be stylish, it can be cool, and you don’t have to be afraid to experiment. He made me believe that you can create your own style, even set trends. And he comes from that school where skill is everything—his level of performance is just fantastic. I really looked up to him and wanted to be like him.

The next one is Ed Sheeran. He’s proof that one person can be a force of nature. I remember being at his concert in Moscow—it was a huge stadium, and he was up there all alone, just him and a looper pedal. And he rocked the place. After that concert, I started experimenting with live-looping myself—recording melodies, beatboxing, layering vocals.

And then I saw his documentary, Songwriter. That’s when I realized what a hard worker he is. Even Sony Music said he’s got this insane work ethic and endurance. Watching that, I thought, “Yeah, there’s no magic formula—it’s about the 10,000 hours.” You’ve got to put in the work, keep grinding, and then things will happen. Nothing comes overnight.

Another huge influence in my life is The Beatles. I remember how, when I was about 12, I first heard their songs during a performance. The entire show was built around Beatles songs, and it just blew me away. The very next day, I went out and bought an MP3 collection of their music. As I started learning more about them, I realized they weren’t just four young guys making hit songs—they were a band that existed for only about ten years but managed to leave a legacy that’s going to last for centuries.

Of course, I want to be like them. I once heard that Paul McCartney wrote about 300 songs with John Lennon, and then he went on to write even more on his own. I thought, Holy shit, I’ve got to work, work, and work some more. It’s all about creativity and productivity.

Another big influence on me is the French musical Notre Dame de Paris. Back in, I think, 1998 or 1999, I bought the French version on CD for my mom as a New Year’s gift because she really wanted it. I ended up listening to it myself, and it completely amazed me. Even now, I listen to it every winter—it’s like a tradition. There’s something so familiar, so beautiful about it. The music, the arrangements, the fantastic vocal parts—they’re all incredible. I even learned to sing some of the songs in French, especially the opening part of the Narrator.

The voices in that musical are just so unique and powerful. It really shaped my musical taste and even inspired me to play the guitar more. The guitar has since become my main instrument. So yeah, that musical definitely holds a special place in my heart.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fil_swan/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FilSwan

Other: https://www.kinopoisk.ru/name/3690060/?utm_referrer=www.google.com

Image Credits
Antonina Divina, Sergey Efremov, Olga Demidova