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

Hi Rico, why did you pursue a creative career?

I don’t think one necessarily pursues a creative career. I think a creative career pursues them. I remember growing up in Brooklyn in an immigrant home where we were concerned with surviving, achieving economic independence, social status and respect in the community. Pursuing creative arts was inconsistent with the mentality that was being force-fed to us like tablespoons of castor oil.
I remember my mother discarding drawings and sketches I would do in art class and boycotting performances I was involved in at school because she felt those pursuits would distract me from what she considered worthwhile achievements that would allow me to climb out of our neighborhood and achieve the social status and success that was deemed respectable; becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer. Much to her disapproval, I found the creative arts far too compelling.
Film and theatre, as well as the novels and plays I read as a child took me to places and allowed me to occupy spaces that the limitations of our social status had precluded me from. Expression of one’s soul, whether through writing poetry or short stories or standing on a stage and performing a scene about life, love or death did not discriminate according to wealth or social class. If you had a voice you could find a platform to express it and you would not be silenced or marginalized because of your upbringing or economic straits. My need was fed by the theatre that found my voice and gave it a place to be heard. I think it was inevitable, as I had a precociously creative and intelligent mind and was fascinated, if not mesmerized, watching old films and entertainment shows. It was my escape, as it took me away from the small flat in Brooklyn where we worried about paying the rent and having enough money to keep the power and phone lines on.
I had a dark sense of humor because of our circumstances and got to see a lot of entertainers who came from similar backgrounds. I saw how performing was their way of handling the angst of survival: trying to scratch out a piece of bread to eat while somebody in a Cadillac whizzed past as you hobbled across the street in shoes you outgrew months ago. Suddenly, poverty didn’t matter because in a darkened theatre or in the corner of your room you could portray a king, a hero or even a villain and venture to places that only your imagination could take you. I don’t think there are any pursuits that can really feed that need like the theatre or creative arts. It was empowering as you realized that your word and your imagination were all you really needed to transform your world and perhaps even affect the world of others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart or anybody apart who achieves success is perseverance. You can’t give up. You have to find a way to make it happen. I had to find a way to move forward, because even in failure, we learn how to succeed. You have to look at the process as a whole and not as an individual step, because today it may not seem very encouraging, as we have peaks and valleys, but if the trajectory is maintained and you keep your eye on the objective you’ll find the strength and courage to continue undaunted.

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?
I think if you’re going to visit Los Angeles and Hollywood, there isn’t much left to the imagination about what to do. Everyone wants to see Paramount Pictures and how movies are made and where it all happens. You’re going to want to drive along Sunset Boulevard and through Beverly Hills and get dazzled by the opulence and even see a few movie stars’ homes. You will want to see the Hollywood Sign, walk in front of the Chinese Theatre and on Hollywood Boulevard see the handprints and footprints of famous stars. You will also want to see the Pacific Ocean and the spectacular coastline, mountains and trails of Los Angeles. So I recommend you explore from Newport Beach to Neptune’s Nest in Malibu. Don’t forget the multicultural rewards of living in Los Angeles and explore the many diverse neighborhoods to get a vibe of the people, food and music that one finds in Los Angeles.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Susan Kaplan
Eric Roberts
Eliza Roberts
Marty Ingels
Thomas Castronovo
Michael Oblowitz
The cast and crew of Frank and Ava
The Actors Studio
Willard Manus
Joanne Baron DW Brown Studio
Lucas Haas
Write Act Rep Theatre
Cedars-Sinai Alumni Foundation
Dionne Warwick
Jamie Fox

Website: Ricosimonini.com , Simoninicardiology.com, frankandavathemovie.com

Instagram: EricWonderland, frankandavathemovie. Simoninicardiology

Linkedin: Rico Simonini

Twitter: @ricosimonini

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.