Josh Plasse
Dive into the world of Josh Plasse in GMARO Magazine Celebrity Edition Vol.51 May 2024. As an actor, boxer, writer, and producer, Josh embodies the spirit of a Renaissance man. From his roots as the son of a US Navy Seal to his Golden Gloves championship and a meteoric rise in Hollywood, Josh has crafted a unique path in the entertainment industry. Highlighting his multifaceted career, GMARO reveals how his tenacity and diverse talents have led to significant roles on screen and impactful projects off screen. Get ready for an inside look at a star who is as passionate about storytelling as he is about making a difference.
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Actor / Boxer / Writer / Producer - Josh Plasse @joshplasse
IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5947149
Photographer: Sheri Angeles @sheriangeles
PR - ICON PR @icon_pr
How has your background as the son of a US Navy Seal influenced your approach to your roles and projects in the entertainment industry?
The work ethic my father instilled in me has definitely paid dividends... Willing to work late and get up early to be the first to arrive and the last to leave. Those little mindset shifts have really helped me separate myself. I'd also say that growing up in that community really opens your eyes to the atrocities of the world at a young age, which, in my opinion, can help shape a storyteller and prepare your mind for more challenging roles that require you to tap into an understanding of pain or strength.
What was it like to work on "iCarly," a show you grew up watching, and how did it feel to be cast as Wes?
iCarly was one of my favorite experiences yet! Everyone was incredibly welcoming and willing to discuss the work itself, which is rare when considering how established they already were. The show has a clear tone, and so it was lovely to have the cast and crew be so open to something new. Given that I watched the show as a child, I obviously felt a bit of glee showing up every day for a role I never imagined portraying.
Can you talk about the significance of your work in "The Baxters" and how it compares to your previous roles?
Well, the biggest significance was that it was my first "Series Regular" role. This essentially means I had a lot more work to do than usual, and much more was required of me as a performer and a "leader" on set. When you're a regular on a show, I believe it's somewhat on you to be a light and provide a level of encouragement and comfort to everyone else, whether you are day players or week players. In terms of the character itself, this was my first role portraying a man of faith, which was amazing given my background as a Christian. Unlike a lot of religious content, the show didn't shy away from the harsh realities of the real world (gun violence, adultery, etc), which really drew me to the project. I loved it!
Your performance in "Wildflower" was widely appreciated. What was your process for getting into character for this role?
Thank you! I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I've never met a crew or group of producers I loved so much as the team behind this project... They made it so easy for me to act if I'm being honest... They allowed me to improv and even kept the camera rolling after scenes would end just to see what types of silliness I'd say. This allowed me to be really free... In terms of personal preparation, I went back and watched a lot of "sleazy" characters who still embodied charm and charisma — particularly Matthew McConaughey in "Dazed and Confused." I really tried to pull from him for this role and mix some of those qualities with my own.
What challenges did you face while producing and starring in "Ride," and how did you overcome them?
Quite a few, as is normal with production... hah! The biggest things that hurt us were the weather (we filmed during the winter in Tennessee so it gets COLD), sickness... Obviously, the two walked hand in hand, so we had to spend a lot of extra money combating sickness and making sure our crew stayed healthy and happy. Producing and acting simultaneously is also an obvious challenge, as one is extremely creative, and the other can easily become task-oriented... So, finding a way to walk the fine lines here was challenging but extremely worthwhile.
Discuss your involvement in the "Operation 22" campaign. What motivated you to start this project, and what impact do you hope it will have?
I have lost a few friends to suicide, and have been around the military community my entire life... one day I simply felt called and compelled to finally do something about it. One of my mentors has worked with a group called "Stop Soldier Suicide" for quite some time, so I looked into them and quickly fell in love with the work they were doing for our nation's veterans. I was originally going to post and share their work but ultimately ended up feeling like I should do more... So I did! We were able to raise a lot of money and draw nearly 1,000,000 views on our videos, so I'm really hopeful that the campaign will spread awareness of the mental health struggles our veterans are facing daily... the statistics are absolutely gut-wrenching and ultimately need something to be done.
As an actor with over 50 episodes of network television under your belt, how do you keep each performance fresh and engaging?
I try to find little things about each character that interest me and or remind me of myself... particularly if I can find some part of me that I've lost with time, or perhaps even wish to discover anew. Ultimately, acting really comes down to intense psychology for me, so I find great love in that search. It has yet to become boring or non engaging.
Can you talk about the influence of whiskey on your creative process or relaxation time?
Hah! I do love my whiskey collection. I'm actually not a huge drinker by most standards, but I'm an avid connoisseur of whiskey. I enjoy having a drink to wind down and discuss my day with my wife, which really relaxes me and puts me in the right state to go to sleep after a day of working hard. I also love the distilling process and would love to operate / create my own whiskey brand one day...
Your career spans acting, writing, and producing. How do you balance these different roles, and which do you find most fulfilling?
Great question. I find myself a bit lost if I don't stay very organized. I have a series of white boards reflecting my yearly, monthly, and weekly goals... I also have a planner (I'm a bit of a nerd), and I find that if I can categorize everything, I can stay in each "lane" during the times when I'm working on different things. I can be creative with my writing, studious with my acting, and fiscal with my producing, hah! In terms of GMARO fulfillment, they each come with their own ups and downs, but I personally love acting the most... it's what started my journey and what ultimately keeps me the most energized and excited to pursue.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors who look up to you and want to follow in your footsteps?
I would say to plan on a marathon and not a sprint. No matter who you are or how good you may be, this career takes immense amounts of time. Even if something does click fast, it could end up having worse results if you aren't ready for the fruits of your labor, or if your performance doesn't propel your career forward. So I'd say you just have to dig in and create the strongest foundation you can for the long haul... because it's simply going to take time. There's no getting around it. Secondly I would say to ensure your "why" is authentic and undeniable. Because this industry is just too hard if it isn't. If you're out here to be famous or get rich, you'll end up quitting eventually. Chase your art and dreams with a real love for the process of creating the art itself...
How do you stay motivated and creative in an industry known for its highs and lows?
I stay motivated thanks to my "why". When I first set off to endeavor upon this career, I knew I wanted to create a platform that I could spark change from. A platform where I could spread good news and positivity, a platform that could carry "weight" and help me establish things that can better the world. Because my why is authentic to the changes I want to see in the world, it's easy to stay motivated every day and not get down when things aren't going my way.
What future roles or genres are you particularly excited about exploring?
I'm really excited to start doing more serious drama and action. I just wrapped a shoot in South Korea for Amazon that allowed me to use my martial arts experience for the first time and it was SO FUN. I have been training most of my life, so finally, getting the opportunity to use it on screen was a dream come true. The show also had some really powerful and "real" moments that I've yearned for in my career. The more True Detective "esque" shows I can make my way towards the better... Something that brings deep, raw emotion to real characters and also allows for some kicking butt!
