Meet Samantha “SAMMY” Jennifer Larsen-Hernandez

We were lucky to catch up with Samantha “SAMMY” Jennifer Larsen-Hernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha “SAMMY” Jennifer , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose in life was to make people laugh and take care of animals at about 7 years old. I found my parents tired and cranky from working alot and I would put on funny plays and sing to make them happy and laugh!

I always had a deep love compassion and understanding with animals, as an only child and always had my dog, birds, fish and took care of the wild birds outside feeding them suet in the winters of NJ. I grew up watching sitcoms and said thats what I want to do be on TV!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Acting is always number one along with stand up comedy and hosting!! Nowadays I create content for my social media IG, YouTube, OFTV, etc Im really into doing my own interviews, red carpet events all over LA and beyond.

I just stared in Horror Film coming out soon that was super fun!

I film my own content going to many art events for RAISED IN LA ART (my husband’s company Daniel Hernandez with his partner Ian Lantz)

I also have my own human grade dog food cooking show called CHOWTIME WITH SAMMY LARSEN & PETERPAN. I create all the dog safe human grade recipes and we have 30 plus episodes on YouTube, OFTV and constantly filming more!

I have never fit in anywhere so just living and being myself in a world where people love to fit is worthless to me and I gave up on that years ago. I had to lean into my weirdness, my different sense of humor and work with that. I absolutely love people and can talk to anyone and everyone all day long, so thats makes it easy for me to create my own characters and adapt to roles, I think all good actors must have a serious love for the human condition and human nature.

I love character acting for sitcoms, I have been a series regular in some great sitcoms My Name Is Earl, Animal Practice, The Guest Book and currently 3 sitcoms projects that are in post right now all fun character roles and so many through the years.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Making people laugh and the ability to talk to all people from all walks of life is my strongest quality. I love meeting new people and they always open up to me. LANGUAGE IS NO BARRIER TO ME as most communication is non verbal a smile goes a long way. Having no fear and being vulnerable is key in communicating as well. My husband is from Jalisco Mexico and English is his second language and he has taught me a lot of Spanish and I love learning about different cultures so curiosity has definitely helped my journey.

My advice to younger people is to never be afraid and take all your chances and risk to move yourself forward in your career and personal development.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I have had to deal with panic attacks before getting on stage for many big stand up gigs and I have had panic attacks before an acting gig in the trailer etc. Like seriously panicking including numb fingers hands cotton mouth all that! Racing heart feeling like Im going to faint etc. I had to stand meditating and using that headspace to transfer over to my work.

I took courses in Vedic meditation, Patrick Collard methods, Prabuddha Manifestation classes, all different types of mind training courses so to say.

My strategy is I breath through the panic stay calm, talk to myself telling myself everyone wants me to be good, everyones my friend and is her to support me and wants to see me succeed. That has worked for me I know alot of people have many different ways but being calm is good for me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
first 3 photos are taken by photographer QUINN KEIFFER-WRIGHT yes I have permission I bought them from him. the rest are with my own camera

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