Meet Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski | Digital Content Creator & Voiceover Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, why did you pursue a creative career?
For the last 40 years, I have worked as a voiceover actor and did theater in my younger years, so I’ve always worked in a creative capacity. I guess you could say it’s in my blood. I found writing to be a creative outlet as well. I became a single mother after my husband passed away in 2001, and needed to supplement my acting career to survive living in Los Angeles.

After a few other ventures, I discovered blogging in 2008. I have founded several blogs since then. I love to travel, but it wasn’t always possible because of the expense. I started taking myself on excursions throughout Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a world in itself, so I decided to start an L.A. travel blog. I’ve had so much fun doing it because I love exploring the diverse and unique neighborhoods in the city.

In addition to my site, BoominginLA.com, I often make short travel videos on YouTube.

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.
My first professional acting gig was at Knott’s Berry Farm, performing melodrama at the Birdcage Theater. We did six shows a day, and I would most often portray the heroine. I worked there for three years. Steve Martin worked there before I did. I worked with Lauren Tewes from “The Love Boat.”

I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my acting career, took a detour, and worked a few years as a professional wardrobe assistant on top TV shows like “Hill Street Blues,” but then quit because I wanted to act. That was probably a dumb move.

I was cast in leading roles in two C movies, one starring Ruth Gordon and the other Kate Mulgrew.

During that time, I did voiceovers for various projects, many of which were anime cartoons. My voice is childlike so it was a perfect match for that genre. I gained a cult following with fans, and to this day attend anime conventions as a guest voice actor.

I was married with two children. When my husband died, I became a single mother and had to find other outlets to supplement my income to survive. Eventually, I became a blogger and also helped other people set up their websites. After a while, I learned to monetize my writing and digital content career, and now write three blogs and have three YouTube channels. I am an over-50 influencer, which is kind of cool if you think about it.

Pursuing a freelance career is difficult, especially in Los Angeles, where housing is expensive. I lived with a boyfriend for fifteen years, which helped a little, and we were able to travel abroad. Traveling was my dream, and I loved every minute of it. He died in 2020.

My home in Altadena was damaged in the Los Angeles Fires in January 2025, and I was displaced.

However, despite the many challenges I have overcome, I have a positive attitude and will not let obstacles stop me. It can be hard sometimes because it’s unpredictable, but it has made me stronger and more resilient.

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 love Los Angeles because it is so diverse. Each neighborhood has a unique character.

My favorite place to visit is the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino in Pasadena. It’s absolutely beautiful and has a tea room. The restaurants there are lovely to eat at, but there are some incredible restaurants in Old Town Pasadena, including Union, Perle, Agnes, Arroyo Chop House, and others.

Echo Park Lake is often seen when Los Angeles is mentioned in films and TV. It is gorgeous to walk around, and you can rent swan boats. There is a fabulous view of the Los Angeles Skyline. Donna’s is a fun place to eat if you are craving Italian food. If you are there in July, don’t miss the Lotus Festival.

The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades and the Getty Center on the Sepulveda Pass are must-sees for museums. The Getty Villa escaped the fires and will be reopening soon. The restaurant at the Getty Center is excellent. If you are at the Getty Villa, try the Water Grill in Santa Monica. Sadly, Malibu is a little messed up right now.

Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles will let you soak in Japanese Culture. I enjoy stopping at Far Bar, but you may also want to try Sushi Gen, Chinchikurin, or Kaminari Gyoza. If you are on the Westside of Los Angeles, visit Sawtelle Japantown.

Hollyhock House at Barnsdall Art Park has a fabulous view of Old Hollywood as it is at the top of Mount Olive in East Hollywood. Many people picnic there. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Hollyhock House, and you can take a tour. Down the hill, eat at Figaro Bistrot or eat and have cocktails at the Dresden Room.

Wat Thai Temple Food Court has the best Thai Food in Los Angeles. It is located in Sunland at the Wat Thai Temple on weekends. Various vendors set up, and you eat outdoors. Each vendor has its specialities, and they are to die for.

Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles is a historic food mall with every kind of food you can think of. While you are there, visit The Last Bookstore nearby as it will blow your mind. You can also ride Angel’s Flight funicular, and visit the Historic Theatre District.

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?
I want to give a big shoutout to my high school acting teacher, Miss Donna Kristianson, from Costa Mesa High School, who believed in me and started my journey to become a creative person. She lit the candle that never burned out. Being exposed to the arts is so important when you are young. There are so many others in the theater community who gave me confidence and the discipline to never give up on my dreams, even though it can be challenging.

Website: https://boominginla.com

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

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

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