Meet Eli Nuss

We were lucky to catch up with Eli Nuss recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eli, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism comes from a deep-rooted belief that everything ultimately works out—it’s become my personal mantra. I genuinely trust that no matter what life throws my way, I have the resilience and capability to overcome it. I wholeheartedly believe that everything happens for the best; my experiences have repeatedly shown me that even the most difficult situations eventually lead to growth and improvement, turning setbacks into opportunities. Additionally, I’m fortunate to have family and friends who unconditionally support me and my creative journey, giving me a strong foundation to face life’s challenges confidently. I often joke with my friends that I’m invincible—they interpret this as me thinking nothing bad could ever happen—but what I really mean is that I know any problem can always be managed or resolved, so I can never truly be beaten.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m an Israeli actor currently venturing into the American acting scene, driven by my passion for crafting stories with authenticity, depth, and emotional resonance. My international background deeply informs my artistic approach, enriching my performances and helping me connect with diverse audiences across cultural divides.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work on several productions in New York City, exploring compelling characters and narratives across various venues. I’m continually seeking to challenge myself, discovering new aspects of the craft—and of myself—in the preparation, rehearsal, and performance process. I believe that approaching each rehearsal and performance openly and authentically allows for meaningful growth and discovery, fostering genuine connections with both the material and the audience.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have always been hard work, humility, and a thirst for knowledge. Hard work has been the foundation—it’s about consistently showing up and putting in effort, even when results aren’t immediate. Humility allowed me to stay open and learn from everyone around me; I’ve discovered invaluable lessons simply by observing teachers, peers, and fellow actors perform scenes in ways I wouldn’t have considered myself. Lastly, a genuine thirst for knowledge has kept my passion alive and made every experience an opportunity to grow and evolve.

My advice for those earlier in their journey would be to cultivate passion, so that your efforts never feel like a chore, stay humble enough to learn from every encounter, and remain genuinely curious—this combination can open unexpected doors and create lasting professional relationships.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The greatest challenge I’m currently facing is dealing with imposter syndrome—the persistent feeling that I’m not deserving of my achievements, or that at any moment others might realize I’m not as capable as they believed. It’s something many actors experience, and while I recognize it might never fully go away, I’m actively working to manage it by consciously trusting my training, my skills, and the experience I’ve gained.

To address this, I’m trying to shift my mindset from proving myself to others toward proving my doubts wrong. I’m channeling the insecurities I feel into motivation, turning fear and self-doubt into fuel to continue taking risks and pushing forward—even when it’s uncomfortable. Ultimately, I’ve accepted that imposter syndrome might always linger, but I believe embracing it can help me stay humble, grounded, and continually growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elinuss.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/eli_nuss

Image Credits

Amit Naim
Ahron R. Foster
Sam Besca
Shiran Cohen