Manuel Zopiyaxtle of Manhattan on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Manuel Zopiyaxtle. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Manuel, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
Life itself. Man, the past few weeks have been full of growth in every possible aspect of my life. My patience has been tested, my endurance, my tolerance, and my will have all been tested in this last couple of weeks.

It’s safe to say that life is not easy, but it is a hell of a teacher. I’ve been out of college for two months now and the amount of things that have happened to me have been truly life changing. From booking acting jobs, auditioning, getting a manager, to some other not so great things in my personal life. I am discovering a new thing everyday about myself and about the life that surrounds me.

I’ve been more attentive, to what is around me, and I’ve discovered so many interesting and beautiful things. The other day I went to Central Park and laid on a rock for about two hours, doing nothing else but contemplating the present. Understanding that the value of life is in the moment is something that I say I grasp but I don’t always get. Valuing the good and the bad has been hard, because we all want life to be easier and comfortable, but we forget that the beauty of the process is on those low moments that push us to our best version of ourself.

All in all, life is pretty good, and she is my biggest teacher right now.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Manuel Zopiyaxtle, and I am a Mexican artist based in New York City.

When I say artist, I mean I do acting, writing, filmmaking, photographing, and lately some editing! I have become more and more in touch with my artistry and my soul which allows me to interact with life in so many creative ways.

I just graduated from the New York Film Academy with a BFA in Acting for Film, and I am currently a working actor. I recently co-starred in the series “The Missing Kitchen King” produced by Journey Entertainment, a series that follows Anthony Romano (Hunter Kohl) in his pursuit of becoming the greatest chef in the world. I play “Joe” a nervous and light-hearted sous chef in Anthony’s cooking team.

I was also part of the production team of SolFest 2025. A festival emphasized in Latino works (film and theatre) led and produced by the wonderful Adriana Gaviria and Bryanna Cuthill. In this project I was big alongside Juliette Cochet in the creation of social media content for the festival.

Finally, I play the anti-suave charmer Lucas Johnson in the new Web Series “City Boys” created by Joseph DeLeonibus and Joseph Curran premiering on YouTube. And I am soon starring in the production of “Comeback: The Misadventures of Charlie Denim” writted and directed by Jayden Novoa where I play “Max Dealy” a laid-back acting agent. So be sure to catch that when it comes out.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents. I always talk about them, but it’s true. They are my biggest inspiration. Every day.

I am talking about two individuals who came from nowhere and who have had enormous resilience to bring themselves and their family to success. They taught me about discipline, consistency, insistence, persistence, etc. They are the hardest working people I know.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Before, I used to despise and deceived failing. Lately, I’ve become more and more obsessed with it. With finding the wrong path.

I am becoming more and more in touch with the way I fail and how many times I do that. I feel like if I continue to fail eventually I will find, not only the “right path,” but also different ways to find a solution and understading the moment around me.

Especially in acting, making choices. You always wonder as an actor what can be the boldest choice you can make, and having studied the craft for a bit I’ve stumbled upon the phrase, “if you feel like you have the right choice, you don’t really have it.” So, finding wrong choices always makes me more and more knowledgeable of the study of my script and character.

In life, the experience that comes from failing at something, teaches you more than anybody can ever tell you. Finding out what went wrong after you made your own mistakes is for me the biggest blessing ever. I feel like then you become truly independent and you find true freedom in life.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
No, and for a good reason.

In this social media era it is very easy to share about yourself, just like I am doing right now, lol. But I don’t think that means that we should.

I’ve been pushed and will probably continue to be pushed for the rest of my career to enhance my social media skills. I refuse.

As an actor, and quoting the great Denzel Washington, “why would people pay to see you on the weekends, if they see you everyday on their phones for free.” I am clearly not at the same career stage that Denzel is, but I think what I grasp from his quote the most is that we all deserve and I feel like we should have a sense of privacy. Even if I was a public figure, I believe in keeping the best stuff for myself and those close to me. Otherwise, I feel like there’s a certain individual human magic that we lose when showing it all to everyone.

That’s just me though, not a critic to anybody else. So, no. The public version of me is not the real me. Only a handful of people know my real version, and they already know who they are so I’ll leave it at that. I’m actually kind of funnier.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
What I was born to do. Man, I love the performing arts. I was born to be on stage. Or on camera.

I feel alive when I’m on stage. A raw feeling of pure passion and adrenaline. Something I wish I could share with everyone. It’s a very intimate and powerful feeling. Like nothing else matters in the world.

I don’t know where it really came from, but man, I just know this is my path.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
New York Film Academy.
SolFest.
Manuel Zopiyaxtle.

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