Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashton Remo.
Hi Ashton, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was younger, I always had a passion for the arts. I can remember traveling to Louisiana to visit my grandmother and somehow always ending up in her church’s Easter play or program. Little did I know, those moments would become the foundation for my love of performing—and maybe even enjoying the spotlight a little bit.
I brought that same energy back home to Texas. I participated in my elementary school’s talent show and was part of our school’s production of Annie. I didn’t have a major role, but somehow the spotlight still found me. I was part of the ensemble cast and even got to do a few “stunts”—cartwheels across the floor, to be exact. Haha! Looking back, that was only the beginning.
I continued with theater in middle school, where I was part of The Wizard of Oz, and then again in high school. I knew there was something there, and I wanted to keep exploring it. But it wasn’t until after graduating from Texas A&M University that I finally took a major step toward pursuing acting seriously.
I remember going to a midweek church service and running into a friend who had already started making progress in the acting world. I asked a ton of questions about their journey and experience, went home and did some research, and eventually signed up for my first acting class. From there, it’s pretty much been nonstop.
Early on, I had the opportunity to work as background on two major productions—ABC’s American Crime and HBO’s The Leftovers. At the time, I thought I had made it! Haha. Of course, I quickly learned there was so much more to acting and this industry, but those experiences gave me an even bigger desire to keep going.
The in-between moments haven’t always felt great, but there has been so much growth along the way and some major wins that I’m extremely grateful for. I’ve continued training and have had the opportunity to learn from some incredible acting coaches, including Renee Rivon, Tasha Smith, and Troy Rowland. I’ve also been able to perform on stage in several local productions and continue developing my craft.
One of the coolest parts of the journey has been seeing the progression—from booking my first background role to eventually becoming a principal actor and even being first on the call sheet for major brands. When I think about that kid doing cartwheels across the stage, it’s pretty amazing to see how far the journey has come.
Through all of it, I’ve tried to stay grateful. This industry will definitely humble you, but every audition, class, set, “no,” and “yes” has been part of the journey. I don’t take any of those moments for granted, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is reminding myself that all it takes is one “yes.” The waiting season in this industry can be daunting! I’ve done so many auditions over the years that I eventually stopped counting.
I actually used to keep a file in my notes where I tracked every audition. Okay, technically I still have it—haha—but these days, I mostly track the bookings, callbacks, and those moments when I get really close.
Those in-between moments can be tough, especially when you get an audition and think, “Oh yeah, this is MY role!” You read the breakdown, connect with the character, give what feels like some of your best acting, submit it…and then you’re supposed to just forget about it. No response. Nothing. It honestly feels like being ghosted sometimes! Lol.
Over time, though, I’ve learned that not booking a role doesn’t necessarily mean I didn’t do a great job. Sometimes casting simply decides to go in a different direction for reasons that have nothing to do with my performance. That realization really changed my perspective.
Now, I try to focus on something a good friend of mine and fellow actor, Ronson Hawkins, has always reminded me: Book the room. Instead of making the booking the only measure of success, I look at every audition as an opportunity to perform, make an impression, and show casting what I can do. If they remember me for another opportunity down the road, that audition was still a win.
That’s become a gem I live by, especially during the slower seasons when the bookings aren’t coming as often. Keep showing up, keep doing the work, and remember—all it takes is one “yes.”
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Outside of acting, a huge part of who I am comes from the work I do at Texas Children’s Hospital in Injury Prevention, specifically in Child Passenger Safety. I’m a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and Instructor, and I have the opportunity to educate families, train other professionals, and work alongside community partners throughout the Greater Houston area to help keep kids safe.
I genuinely love people, and I think that shows up in everything I do. Whether I’m helping a parent learn how to safely install their child’s car seat, teaching a class, working with community partners, or stepping onto a set, I want people to walk away from an interaction with me feeling like it mattered.
I’m especially proud of the impact we’re able to make with families. Sometimes what seems like a simple car seat check turns into so much more. You meet families from all different walks of life, and you have the opportunity to educate them, provide resources, ease some of their worries, and potentially make a lifesaving difference for their child. That’s something I don’t take lightly.
I think what sets me apart is my heart for people. I’ve always had a big personality, a big smile, and an even bigger heart. Haha! I enjoy connecting with people and making them feel comfortable, seen, and valued. I also believe that whether it’s through my career in injury prevention or my work as an actor, I’ve been given opportunities to use different parts of myself to make an impact.
At the end of the day, I want my work to mean something. Of course, I want to continue growing as an actor and booking amazing roles, but I also want to leave a lasting impression on the people I encounter along the way. If I can entertain people, make them smile, help keep a child safe, or simply make someone’s day a little better, I feel like I’m doing something right.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love my city, man! There’s so much culture, diversity, and opportunity here. I truly believe you can tap into so many different markets in Houston. And of course, I love that you can experience so many different cuisines. I love to eat, if you can’t tell. Lol! That’s exactly why the gym has become my best friend.
If I had to name a downside, I don’t think enough light is shined on Houston when it comes to Television and film. We have so much talent here—creatives, actors, writers, producers, directors, and artists who are hungry and ready for their big break. I just wish there were more resources and opportunities to really put Houston on the map, so we didn’t always feel like we had to travel out of state to tap into bigger markets.
But one thing I will say: our local creative community is making some serious noise with the resources we do have! There’s a lot happening here, and I’m excited to see it continue to grow. One thing about Houston—if we can’t go to Hollywood, we’ll just bring Hollywood here! Haha.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtonremo
