Meet Justin Berti | Actor & Dog Lover

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

Hi Justin, what principle do you value most?
Authenticity. What matters most to me is staying true to who I am — being authentic, even when the industry tries to mold you into something else. Whether I’m playing a charming villain in a Lifetime thriller or trying to convince you that this pert food is good for your dog’s joints, I have to bring truth to the role. That’s what resonates with people. That’s what makes a mediocre script come alive — authenticity, dedication, and a refusal to settle for less than what the moment deserves.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is taking the dead words on a script and bring them to life — whether it’s through acting, movement, or even just being fully present on set, which involves day trading in between takes, which really amps up the adrenaline! What sets me apart, is that I take pride in elevating material that could otherwise fall flat. That challenge excites me.
I’m especially proud of how varied my career has been — from playing Elliot in Showtime’s Submission to lead roles in Lifetime thrillers, to a comedic lead in Divorce Bait, and even doing extensive commercial work in all over the world. I’ve had the chance to live many lives, and that fuels my work.
No, it definitely wasn’t easy. I spent over a decade living in Japan doing everything from modeling to teaching yoga to performing on stage. I didn’t follow a traditional path, and I was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to the Hollywood side of the business.
When I came back to the U.S., I was starting over — new market, new industry, no big-name credits. I had to grind. I booked some commercials and gradually worked my way into film and TV. The roles started growing. I kept showing up, staying ready, and trying to be someone people wanted to work with again.
Trust the long game. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s — that’s a trap. Keep your head down, do the work, and stay kind. Also, versatility is a huge asset. I’ve played everything from romantic leads, dangerous villains, to wacky commercial spokesmen, and that flexibility has kept me working.
Most importantly, don’t wait for the ‘perfect role’ to show up. Find truth in the moment, even if the script isn’t perfect. That’s where the art lives. Any “vertical” actors will know what I am talking about.

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.
We would take a bike tour of LA. No cars, no traffic, and yes traffic is the worse aspect of LA. There is no better way to discover a city than by bicycle. Besides Los Angeles has some incredible bike paths, especially along the beach. Then we would stop at any cafes, shops, museums , and shops that come along our path.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people have played a role in my journey, but if I had to highlight a few — my parents, first and foremost. They supported my wild swings in career and geography, from moving to Japan to coming back to the U.S. to pursue acting full-time. Also, my acting mentors and theater directors — especially those who believed in me early on, even when I didn’t quite know if this was a career I wanted to pursue.
Professionally, I owe a lot to the directors and casting agents who took chances on me, particularly when I transitioned from theater into television and film. Getting cast in Toy Guns as Bradly DuPont shortly after returning from Japan was a turning point, and that opportunity opened the door to most auditions in my first two years in LA because of the strong acting reels that project gave to me.
I have to give a massive thanks to my girlfriend, who has literally been my reader for over 400 auditions. Though those auditions can become contentious, ask any couple who is in the industry auditioning with each other. She tells me when I am just phoning it in and when I can do better. Yes, I usually use the take after she has given me a timely direction. Her patience with me is incredible and I love her for that.
And honestly, I’ve got to give credit to myself too — not out of ego, but out of recognition for the perseverance it took to make this work, to stay in it, and to keep doing the thing I love despite the rejection, despite the unknowns. I think anyone in this industry has to give themselves some of that credit too.

Website: https://justinberti.com/

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

Image Credits
All head shots are done by JOEL BERTI PHOTOGRAPHY