Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Dev.
Hi Adrian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey started right here in the heart of Houston Texas at the memorial hospital, I moved to Chicago and New Jersey for a few years where I got into choir and theatre and did my first play for a school production, I moved back to Houston for middle school and high school where I went to Clements high school in sugar land where I was in tennis, football, and track over the years as a multi-sport athlete. I grew up heavily into tv and pop culture from music videos to my love for movie theaters and spending weekends at first colony mall at the AMC. I went To the university of Alabama before also attending UCLA and Csun to study TV production which I got my degree in. Early in my time in Los Angeles I started working as a PA on movie and TV sets while also starting formal training as an actor and beginning my career in tv and film. from student films to Emmy and Oscar winning productions I worked my way forward towards bigger and better roles. I have been on HBOs Westworld for three seasons straight and also have worked on several national commercials for brands such as Walmart, Nike, and Bud Light/Anheiseur Busch, most recently I worked on Star Wars Obi Wan Kenobi for Disney plus.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a South Asian American in the industry who is not first generation, there is no clear path to navigate, with so many of the asian actors that have came before me being first gen, getting asked to be “more asian” by casting directors and agents and managers was frustrating at the start of my career. Trying to convince Hollywood to tell more stories of asian Americans without accents who aren’t good at math is an endless effort. Also the long days on set away from your family get hard at times, especially when you are a parent, but that’s the dream we are all chasing, and this work is what it costs. Just taking. step back and realizing everything happens in its own time, when I see friends getting bigger roles quicker than I am, or casting directors turning you down time and time again until the find the right project for you, this job is for people with thick skin.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actor first and foremost, who has also produced projects not just during my film school days but also since then with a horror feature I have an executive production credit on in production currently. I specialize in drama and action based theatre/film. I have been seen on HBOs Westworld, CBS Seal Team, Netflix Medal of Honor, and up currently in Star Wars Obi Wan Kenobi on Disney plus. I most recently won the 2021 National Social Media award for lifestyle influencer of the year. I think what sets me apart is my past experience coming from the Agency and Hospitality world in the Hollywood scene with years working with some of the top talent in entertainment up close and personally. What sets me apart is my desire to do things my own way and not try and follow any set paths, some might call this a bad thing, but if you put in the work you see the results.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
TO BET ON YOURSELF, I think in life there are so many outside obstacles and distractions that can take root in our lives, critics who will have you doubt if you’re where you need to be or if you are making the right decisions. If you’re an artist or a Human in general naturally you are going to second guess yourself and have doubts at time, but you have to have the tunnel vision to see the future and how obtainable your dreams and goals really are.
Contact Info:
- Website: adriandevofficial.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/iamadriandev
