We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brian Landis Folkins. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Brian Landis, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
The world outside sees a Hollywood sign, red carpets, and overnight success. They see a lottery ticket. Those of us who do the day to day hustle know the reality is a marathon, not a sprint.
That success isn’t dependent on being “discovered” or getting a massive star-making role.
The reality is that the greatest careers, the ones that last and have depth and are built on decades of showing up, being consistent, and understanding that the work is the only thing you can control. It’s about being an expert craftsman who is continually studying, even after you’ve “made it”. It’s about building a versatile body of work
We’re not artists waiting for permission. We’re entrepreneurs of our own vision, viewing acting as a service—a way of telling human stories.
The work isn’t the flashy part; it’s the precision and the discipline you bring every single day, whether you’re on set or just working on yourself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Brian Landis Folkins is a veteran character actor who embodies the philosophy that the work is the most important thing. With over 25 years in the industry, Brian specializes in finding the emotional truth in even the most flawed and eccentric characters. His versatility is demonstrated across three decades, including his critically acclaimed lead role in the feature film RENT-A-PAL and a 3 Episode arc on ABC’s BIG SKY. A prolific stage actor, he won Best Actor awards in both 2019 and 2024, and has appeared in over 100 short and feature films as well as video game performance capture. An Artistic Company Member at Curious Theatre Company since 2012, his work is a testament to the relentless dedication to the craft.
The BLF was involved with 4 films this year and 2 plays. In 2026, he anticipates the following films to be in Festival or find distribution: PIGGY DUSTER, UCK, GIANT VOID, THE MAN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD, CUTTER and BASIER BASIER.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My career has been built on the shoulders of giants, starting with the early guidance I received from Teresa Fowler and Wally Larson, who showed me the ropes. The list of collaborators who taught me the language of the craft is long: Billie McBride, Chip Walton, Rus Blackwell, Jada Dixon, and Tam Frye, to name a few. But the real education comes from the relentless, day-in, day-out grind of the work itself. Thirty years in that process has been the true master class. It teaches you humility, how to embrace and rise from failures, and the absolute necessity of persistence and perseverance for building a career from the ground up. I don’t see the lessons stopping anytime soon
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Every time you finish a contract, you think you’ll never work again. So, there are a lot of dark moments. Times where you question your choices and look at your peers and wonder if you should have taken a more stable path. But what I am always left with is a sense of accomplishment. I love what I do. I love telling stories and creating characters. I believe whole heartedly that this is my purpose so as much as I have those low times, I always push though them and continue forward.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The belief that recognition and acclaim are the primary measures of success. The truth is success is the work itself. The long game is achieved by treating your effort like a blue-collar job. You must train your brain to enjoy the feeling of effort, transforming the grind into a rewarding activity in its own right. The work is the only thing you can control.
Also, There is an expectation that a large, efficient, and well-funded machine is required to produce meaningful art. But the reality is that the best stories often don’t need alot of money to create. You don’t need permission; you need to just make it, focusing on practicality and realism, showing the messy, unglamorous reality of the situation with the resources you have available to you.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel my best when I am in process. In rehearsal or on set. Collaborating with other like-minded artists as we tell the same story. It’s the sweet spot where I am actually doing the work. So much of my job is the pursuit. Auditions, self tapes, or building your team of people to find the right projects so that when you are actually doing it, you have to enjoy it. It’s the icing on the cake. It’s when I feel the most like myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @brianlandisfolkins
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