Meet Julie Dove

We were lucky to catch up with Julie Dove recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julie, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

My mom Rebecca is where were my generosity comes from. In a world full of takers she was an absolute giver. She really raised me to believe we are here to be of service to others. I remember growing up she volunteered to set up monthly communion at the church so I would go early with her. She along with a few other women in the church stripped the paint and stained all the pews so they would look nice again. She volunteered at my elementary school for any classroom events when I was in school. When I moved away from home as an adult each time I would come back to visit I think someone else was “temporarily” living at her house. She died in February 2023 and I really miss her. I try to do as much as I can for others as it’s one way I honor her memory and feel close to her.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a working actor currently based in North Hollywood. I moved here from Nashville, TN in 2001. I’m from a small town in Texas named Princeton. Growing up it only had a population of around 2300. I lived there until I was 26.
I went to college to be actor, but didn’t have the courage to follow that path when I graduated in 1991. I became a school teacher after graduation, then left that to go to seminary, and ended up in the music business. Finally in 2001, I moved to LA with my music biz job and the plan to leave after a few years to pursue my acting full time and that’s what I’ve been doing since around 2006. My biggest role to date as an actor is playing busy body turned killer Connie Viniski on Days of our Lives.

I also consider myself a storyteller – which is a simpler way of saying I also producer, write, direct, and edit.

Something special I’d like to share with the readers is my podcast True Texas Crime: The Significant Life of Angela Stevens. Angela lived and went to school in Princeton. She was younger than me but I would pass her in the hallways and see her at the local skating rink. She was murdered in 1988, right after I graduated. Her killers also went to school in Princeton and I knew one of them.

Since we know who killed Angela. The podcast is more about the why and we explore how it continues to impact the family. The episodes include several women’s issues that have only grown in the 36 years since Angela’s murder. We touch on everything from emotional abuse, sexual shame of young women, shaming of female victims after their death and many more meaningful themes.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think education is extremely important. Education is much more than going to college. There are all kinds of classes, seminars, even free videos on YouTube to learn more about anything you want to do. I did go to college and have a BA and MA in Theatre. I also have an AA in Cinema production that I got many years after my BA and MA. My continuing education comes from acting classes. I am also constantly watching as many TV shows and films that my schedule can handle.

Learning rejection is not personal is something I am constantly working on that I think will help anyone following a creative path. I do know I have what it takes to work in this business, but at the same time I’m one of thousands of people here that also have what it takes. My time will keep coming and your time will too!

The absolute most important thing I’ve learned is to take care of my mental health. I need more in my life than my career. I have to spend time with family, friends, and my dog. I have to plan days where I just stay home and watch TV. Finally being in therapy has been and continues to be a life saver for me.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

I think the lack of available work in the Los Angeles entertainment industry is currently challenging for many creatives. What makes it even more difficult is so many of us don’t share that we’re working regular jobs when we’re not being paid to create art. When I first started booking smaller roles it was pretty much a given everyone knew I had a second job, but now that I’ve been been able to work in guest star/recurring roles I sometimes feel embarrassed admitting I still need that second job. I’m working on this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://juliedove.com
• Instagram: @juliedove
• Twitter: @juliedove
• Other: Podcast – truetexascrime.buzzsprout.com

Image Credits

Elaine Reid Photography