Meet Zachariah Axel: Actor, Writer, & Producer

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

Hi Zachariah, how do you define success?

I love this question because the idea of success is so personal. I worked in the National Hockey League in my 20s. In professional sports we defined success by achieving enough wins to make the playoffs, and ultimately compete for the championship. I was fortunate to be part of the LA Kings championship run in 2014. One of the proudest moments of my life was being surrounded by teammates lifting The Stanley Cup over my head.

As I’ve grown, my idea of success has changed dramatically. When I was younger I defined success almost solely through my career. Nowadays, success is less tied to career and more deeply woven into my sense of self. As a professional in the film industry, it can be easy to feel unsuccessful and discouraged if you go a long time between projects…highlighted even more so during Covid. If I were to define success now, the same way I did when I worked in professional sports, I don’t know if I would feel much of a sense of accomplishment.

All of that to say that I think each individuals definition of success should hopefully be aligned with their own happiness and self worth. For some people that may be fancy cars and fine dining. For others success may be as simple as home cooked meals a roof over their head. For me, at this moment in my life, success means balancing the time I spend with family and friends while maintaining the hustle required to achieve my career goals. If I maintain that balance, everything else really takes care of itself and I can go to bed knowing I did my best to live in my authentic self. I think my definition of success is very closely tied to my health and happiness.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I recently filmed a lead in a rom com as an anxious husband with an obsession for social media. My film, A Man Apart, a psychological thriller shot during the height of Covid lockdown is currently in post production. I am developing a series that takes place during the Reconstruction Era. The world exists somewhere in the realm of Selma by Ava DuVernay and Godless by Sam Frank.

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?
For me, the brilliance that is Los Angeles is the cultural diversity. I tell my friends, LA is like 15 cities all smashed together. And of course, you can’t beat the location. Hiking in Malibu Creek State Park in the morning, chilling on the beach in the afternoon, and dinner downtown after an evening at a Kings game. Not too many places you can do that in the world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would be amiss if I did not give a shoutout to both the Nashville Predators and the Los Angeles Kings for providing me such wonderful foundation in work ethic, what it means to compete on a daily basis, teamwork, and the possibilities of pursuing your dreams. Likewise, I doubt I would have such a unique perspective of the craft of acting nor the confidence I have today without the inspiration of Greg at Berg Studios. And most importantly, the support of my family and friends, has been the rock that has kept me grounded and afloat throughout my life.

Website: www.zachariahaxel.com

Instagram: @zachariahaxel

Twitter: @zachariah_axel

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

Image Credits
Matt Kallish