Meet Jeremy S. Walker | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeremy S. Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeremy, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
Spirituality and meditation are cornerstones in my household. For me, meditation isn’t just about calming the mind — it’s about creating space to connect with something bigger, to quiet the noise, and to bring more light into the day. I’m a proud GirlDad and that’s the kind of foundation I want my daughter to grow up with: knowing that peace and connection aren’t things you chase “out there,” they’re things you cultivate within.

She already knows that if she wakes up early and sees me in my meditation spot, that means “Daddy’s in his quiet time.” But kids are naturally curious, so of course she’ll ask me, “Why do you do that? What happens when you meditate?” And I always try to explain in ways her little mind can grasp — that it helps Daddy be calmer, kinder, and more focused, and that it connects us to our Creator and the spark of light we all carry inside.

One of my favorite moments as a parent is when I finish meditating, open my eyes, and see her next to me in lotus position, eyes squeezed shut, trying to copy me. Even if she doesn’t fully understand it yet, I know seeds are being planted. It’s been said that every action creates a ripple of energy, and when I see her imitating that practice, I feel like she’s already reaching for her own connection to that light.

And let me tell you — kids are the best accountability partners. She knows the difference between a “meditated Daddy” and a “skipped-my-practice Daddy.” If I’m short-tempered, she’ll call me out: “Daddy, you’re cranky — did you meditate yet?” And she’s not wrong. Meditation makes me a better parent, and honestly, a better human. At the end of the day, the most important thing I can give her isn’t perfection — it’s presence. If she grows up seeing that life can be stressful, but that we have tools to handle it, then I’ve done my job as a dad.

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.
For me, acting isn’t just a profession — it’s a way of life. It’s not like most jobs where you clock in, do your thing, and clock out. Acting is literally breathing life into people who don’t exist, so you end up becoming a permanent student of the human condition. Everything you see, overhear, feel, or experience might one day belong to a character. Which means your “actor brain” and your “human brain” are always running in sync, constantly storing little bits of life for later.

I know some actors like to stick to one lane, but I’ve never been that way. I love the full spectrum of storytelling. For years, comedy was my world, but as I’ve gotten older, become a father, and weathered my fair share of storms, I’ve found myself drawn to dramatic work — characters with deeper layers. These days, the sweet spot for me is somewhere between the laughs and the heavy stuff. That balance feels the truest to who I am, both onstage and off.

What sets me apart is that I only know how to bring all of myself to the work. I was trained in Stanislavski and Strasberg, so for me, the personal always finds its way into the performance. Acting, in that sense, has become the ultimate therapy. Whatever I’m going through in life, I can usually find a character who mirrors it. That gives me a chance to channel the mess into something meaningful. And the beauty of it is — the work is never the same. Characters only exist on the page until we breathe life into them, and since we’re always changing as people, our performances evolve right along with us.

That’s why I’m especially excited right now to be rehearsing for the World Premiere of I’ll Give You My Heart at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, written by Tamara Steren and directed by James Mellon. Shameless plug — we open on Oct. 2nd and run through Oct. 19th. I’m playing Sam, a character who, as a child, was in and out of hospitals and not expected to live past his teens. So when he gets a new lease on life, he makes the decision to live for the moment. I relate to Sam deeply — not because I’ve lived through his same medical struggles, but because I know what it’s like to face setbacks that could’ve convinced me to give up. Instead, I chose to keep going, to not let “external fate” decide my outcome. That perspective — to live for the day, to keep pushing forward — has brought me closer to Sam. I’m excited to bring my own life into his, and hopefully make his story feel three-dimensional for the audience.

Professionally, I’m proud of everything I’ve done — even the projects that never saw the light of day. Because each one gave me something: lessons, practice, sometimes even lifelong friendships. Honestly, other than the work itself, the best part of this business is the collaboration — a group of people agreeing to come together and create something, no matter how it turns out. That’s still magic to me, and I don’t take it for granted.

Now, the road hasn’t been easy — not even close. But the toughest battles aren’t with the industry; they’re in your own head. Doubt, ego, comparison — those can knock you down faster than rejection ever will. What carries me through the hustle and the no’s is knowing this: I’m not doing this for applause. I’m doing it because stories change lives — including my own. That, in addition to meditation, spiritual practice, and the love of my family, friends, and team keep me pushing forward.

What this journey has taught me above all else is that love has to be the foundation — love for the craft, love for the risk, love for the moments people don’t see. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been in my living room, rehearsing a scene or monologue, tears running down my face, and thinking — this is why I love this shit. Talent and relationships will open doors, but passion and purpose is what keeps you knocking when doors close. And as for me — nothing gives me more purpose than being a dad to my daughter, Bowie. Her wonder reminds me daily why I do this work: to hold a light for others, and to leave pieces of truth behind. Sometimes I think the biggest performances in life happen off camera. Being a father to Bowie is one of those. She’s the reason I work, the reason I grow, the reason I bring depth to my characters — because she deserves a model of someone who shows up. And if someone watches my performance and feels a little less alone, or sees part of their own story reflected back — that’s more moving than any standing ovation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, as I mentioned earlier — I’ve got more than one “best friend,” and knowing my crew, they’d probably all come together. Which means this trip isn’t a quiet weekend — it’s a full-on adventure. Luckily, LA has no shortage of things to keep us busy.

In my younger years, I probably would’ve stuck to the classics — Hollywood, Venice Beach, Santa Monica. And while some of that still makes the cut (shoutout to the Viceroy) after 16 years of calling LA home, my list looks a little different these days.

Mornings: We’d kick things off with coffee — a matcha for me — and bagels at Hank’s Bagels in Toluca Lake. Followed by a nice hike at TreePeople (one of my favorite places to recharge) and then hit Erewhon in Studio City for smoothies. Yes, the hype is real — and yes, it will cost more than your last car payment. But it’s worth it.

At least one or two lunches or happy hours at HomeState would be mandatory. It’s casual counter service there but don’t let that fool you. The tacos are next-level, and don’t even get me started on their margaritas — delicious and dangerously strong. For sushi, I’d take them to Shibuya in Calabasas — hands down the best I’ve ever had. The only catch is getting a table. Unless you’re a Kardashian, you’ll likely be waiting. If that’s the case, Sugarfish is always a worthy backup. And for a proper sit-down dinner, Via Veneto in Santa Monica. It’s a bit of a trek from my home area of Toluca Lake, but well worth it.

Beaches & Vibes: No trip is complete without a Malibu day or two. There’s nothing like the healing power of the ocean, and Malibu Pier is the perfect spot to close out a beach day with a cocktail and the sunset.

Entertainment: I’m a huge fan of live music and, obviously, theater, so I’d definitely suggest planning the trip around what’s playing at The Hollywood Bowl or The Pantages. There’s something magical about seeing a show in those venues that just screams “only-in-LA.”

Nights: My club days are long gone (truthfully, they never really started), but give me a good cocktail, some live music, and I’m set. Shoutout to the Sayers Club back in the day — gone but not forgotten. These days, we’d wrap nights at Forman’s Whiskey Tavern in Toluca Lake. It’s low-key, full of character, and the perfect way to end a packed day.

At the end of it all, I’d want my friends to leave feeling the same way I do about LA: that it’s creative, diverse, unpredictable, and just plain fun. One minute you’re shoulder-to-shoulder in the middle of it all, and the next you’re staring at the Pacific Ocean thinking, ‘Yeah, I could stay here forever.’”

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 way too many people who’ve lifted me up over the years to name them all, but a few stand out as cornerstones in my story.

First up: my Colorado crew. This brotherhood is about ten deep, and it’s been the backbone of my life for decades now. Within that, there are really two branches that eventually became one.

The first branch of this group actually began with three of my closest lifelong friends who I grew up with back home in Memphis. We all eventually found ourselves out in Colorado, starting a new chapter together. Having people from my roots out there gave me a sense of home in a place that was very different from the world I knew.

The other branch came from my time managing a jamband called The Menagerie — four of the guys in our crew made up that band, and touring with them forged a bond that’s impossible to explain unless you’ve lived it. We hit 35 states together, slept on floors, and in crappy motel rooms I wouldn’t dare step foot in again, and basically lived out of my old Chevy Tahoe (that later “upgraded” to a conversion minivan we called The Bonepony). It was wild, exhausting, and absolutely unforgettable.

The stories from that era are endless, but here’s one I’ll never forget: one night in New Orleans, our drummer — who’s still one of my closest friends — decided to take a stand against corporate America by peeing in the fax machine at a Krystal burger. As the band’s manager, I thought, “Well, that’s it. We’re going to jail, and I’ll have to cancel the rest of the tour.” Somehow, we survived, and now it’s one of those stories that makes me laugh every time I think of it. We were young, broke, and reckless — but we had each other. And that’s what made it all so special.

Years later, when life hit me harder than I could’ve ever expected, that same crew — Memphis roots and Menagerie brothers alike — showed up for me in ways I’ll never forget. That’s why one of my dreams, half-joking but also written deep in my heart, is to pull a “George Clooney” one day: fly them all to a remote getaway, hand each of them a duffel bag with a million dollars in it, and just say, “Thanks for being my bros.” The truth is, though, even a million bucks couldn’t come close to repaying the love, loyalty, and brotherhood they’ve given me.

And then, of course, my biggest shoutouts will always go to my parents. Through every high and low, they never once told me to quit — even when I was ready to tell myself that. Instead, they believed in me when I didn’t, cheered me on when I stumbled, and reminded me who I was when I forgot. An artist’s life is full of struggle and resistance, but because of their support, I’ve been able to stay the course. Without them, I’d probably be in a completely different career — and definitely a less happy one. They’re the true heroes of my story, and I’m grateful for them every single day.

Website: https://www.jeremystevenwalker.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwalkerscene/

Twitter: https://x.com/jwalkerscene

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JWScene

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

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0907843

Image Credits
Jackson Davis Photography

Off The Record Still Frame – Sebastian Plaza – Director of Photography

Blue Tie Gala – Labor411 Foundation