Meet Jed Rowen | Actor and Writer

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

Hi Jed, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Being creative and artistic is what makes human beings truly magical and divine. Without this, we aren’t too much removed from machines or apes. I knew this from a very early age and so I knew I had to have a career in the arts. It takes a warrior to be an artist. It ain’t easy. There are a million things going against you. But I can’t imagine living any other kind of life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It’s never easy being an actor. I think what separates me from most other people trying to do this is my overall attitude. A lot of people fall into embitterment or negativity about how difficult show biz is, but I fundamentally feel very lucky to be able to do this. I think that’s how I’ve overcome the multitude of challenges of being an actor in Los Angeles. Attitude. It sounds simplistic, but it’s the key to the kindgom here in Hollywood. Once you make the fundamental decision to make the best of it and have mental discipline about how you react and deal with things, particularly those things you have no control over, the sky is the limit. In terms of my most proud moments, I’d say my experience on my biggest and best movie, The Ghastly Love of Johnny X, was a big turning point for me as I proved to myself and others that I could kick ass when the stakes got a lot higher. It was a coming-of-age moment for me in my acting career. I think what I’d like for people to know about me, now and forever, was not only my unique way of portraying characters, but just how hard I worked as an actor. There’s a deep satisfaction of giving your all to something that means a lot to you, that you’re passionate about, and how you live and die with it. That is the Holy Grail of human life. Find your passion and go all in.

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.
First off would be Tree People up in Fryman. Love that place. There’s even an outdoor theater you can go hang out in. Lots of hidden hikes that to this day I’m discovering. There’s a rainforest-like part to the hike that’s off the beaten path that seems like something out of a Tolkien novel. It’s never too crowded either and the main hike is the perfect distance and challenge-level. I think, too, that people visiting from out of town should realize all of the natural beauty of L.A. that’s right in the middle of the city. It’s one of the many things that makes this place so special. Another cool place where I hang out all the time is Magnolia Park in Burbank. This area has so many cool shops and vintage stores, along with great cafes and restaurants. There are famous costume and horror stores, and great parks a short walk away. I lived right around this neighborhood when I first moved to L.A. years and years ago, but have always gone back there frequently no matter where I’m living in the city. A great place to take a friend who’s visiting to walk around with. Right up the street in North Hollywood is the next great hidden gem in L.A., the Iliad Bookshop. This is my all-time favorite bookstore, and I’ve been to many around the world. It’s a veritable wonderland of books, and the staff there is like family to me. I go there several times a week, and can’t imagine life in L.A. without it. Then there’s the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, another number one favorite of mine. Try to sit up on the balcony. I truly believe that is the best place on the planet to watch a movie. I’ve covered here about 1% of all the great stuff to do in L.A., but these places are a really good place to start.

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?
There are so many inspirations over the years that influenced me to be the artist I am today. But if I had to narrow it down to some specifics, there were a couple of movies along the way that I’d say nudged me out to Hollywood to be in movies. Robocop and Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 just hypnotized me as a young actor with how powerful the cinema can be. It’s not just about the amazing acting performances in these films, but how adeptly the directors and writers pulled off such colorful, insightful and funny social criticisms. The way directors Paul Verhoeven and Tobe Hooper were able to create a cinematic theater of the absurd from all of the visual and dramatic nuances to ridiculous over-the-top spectacles. These two auteurs showed me that movies were the ultimate storytelling medium. I wanted to be a part of it. So those two guys certainly contributed in getting me out to L.A.

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