Meet Jacob Athyal | Actor

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

Hi Jacob, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I guess this is the point where I look up and realize I’ve accidentally been pursuing an artistic career this entire time. The last ten years I’ve worked as an actor on stage and screen, but it has felt less like an active choice and more of a survival need. To be frank, I was bad at everything else. The stereotype about Indians (and others) is there’s so much pressure to choose a STEM profession. But the secret is, that only works if you’re smart enough to be a doctor or engineer. I realized as a kid that whatever that special sauce is, my recipe didn’t carry it. I’m 5’9, so my chance of playing for the NBA were slim (still holding out!), I don’t have a way with words, I’m not particularly funny. So one by one, my list of career opportunities were getting shorter and shorter.
I never knew any actors growing up, but met a bunch in college. They just happened to be the kindest people I met. That’s why I chose this field. Because people in the field were nice. If the super nice people were in the chemistry department, right now you’d probably be reading from the world’s worst chemist. Thank God. I could have accidentally blown up the world by now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
From where I’m standing, there are two ways to go about an acting career. First, you know what your goal is from the beginning and you’re planning long term. Your goal can be to be directed by Scorsese, to act opposite Denzel, or to be offered a certain amount of money. Whatever floats your boat, the sky’s the limit, and your eyes are fixed firmly on the prize. The other option is going step by step, with the hope of getting better with each project. Not sure where the path leads yet, but know you’re a little better this year than you were last.
I don’t know which gives better results, but I can tell you the second method is kinder. You don’t compare the student director you’re working with to Scorsese, you aren’t ‘saving your best’ until you someday get to Denzel, and managing to pay rent is an achievement. The second method leaves a lot up to chance, but if you’re an artist, so much of this journey is already a gamble, so rather as well set yourself up for making it through this marathon.

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 don’t know if I’m letting the secret out on this one. I’ve only been in LA a year, so I don’t know what’s hush-hush and what’s open to talk about. There’s an Indian restaurant, that’s not really a restaurant. It’s a store that has a little spot in front where you can grab food. It’s called India Sweets & Spices. It’s delicious and the people are really nice. I have no connection to them, just a silent, gracious patron who sits in the corner, hurriedly shoveling pani puri into his mouth. It’s got that devious one-two punch of being tasty and cheap. If you do go, don’t tell them you heard it from me. Just in case.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I don’t know where to begin when it comes to people to thank. Every time I name a person, I think of a dozen more who should immediately follow. It’s an embarrassment of riches that has allowed this normal guy to have an extraordinary life. I have a great group of family, friends, professors, strangers, enemies, foes, shadowy figures in dark alleys selling magic beans, so many to choose from. I have to mention a good friend, Binoj Jacob, who is the only reason I’m chatting with you now. He’s been a wonderful friend and (he’ll hate this) a great mentor to me.
And as always, my parents. I’m sure they had hopes and dreams for their kid, like most parents do, but they adapted to what I turned out to be. I’m nothing without family, and I am blessed with a wonderful one.

Website: https://www.jacobathyal.com

Instagram: @Jake.is.trying (I just started this and it’s very disappointing)

Youtube: @jacobathyal

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12923918/?ref_=rvi_nm

Image Credits
1) Bjoern Kommerell 2) Performing Shakespeare: Jeff Janowski/UNCW 3) Work: Michael Hogan