American actor, writer and producer Josh Plasse is already having a massive year. Born in Virginia, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University before moving to Hollywood to further his career. He guest-starred on Grey’s Anatomy in 2018, was cast in iCarly, and produced his company’s first feature film, Yucca Valley, in 2021. Now living in Nashville, he writes, produces, and stars in a multitude of projects out this year.
The Resurrection of Charles Manson, out now, is a thrilling horror film. Commenting on society’s fixation with serial killer stories, as well as the current political climate, the story follows an aspiring actress as she films an audition for a fictional movie about the cult leader. While filming on location, she and her boyfriend are met with a series of threats from a new cult striving to resurrect Manson. As the fiction bleeds into the couple’s real life, we are reminded of how history repeats itself. Plasse not only stars in the film, but co-wrote it as well, an example of his ability to blend his various talents and excel in all sides of a project.
Between his on and off-screen work for Wildflower, Ride, and The Resurrection of Charles Manson, Josh has proven to be a versatile force in the industry. We talk to him about his career highlights, several role models, and diversifying his craft.
Watch the trailer for The Resurrection of Charles Manson…
And now for the interview…
Talk us through your journey to this point?
Forgoing my earlier years, I’ll start with my arrival in Hollywood about eight years ago. Moving from Virginia, I knew absolutely no one in the state of California, but I had just read a magnificent book by a stellar acting coach named Craig Wallace. So, I knew where to start. The day after I unpacked my things into a cruddy apartment, I went to his studio and began a long journey as an actor. I ended up studying with him and another teacher by the name of Patrick Day, (both of whom I could not recommend more to any aspiring actors). I took a few weeks of classes, then asked if I should look for representation to which they both responded, “no you aren’t ready.” So naturally I looked for representation and blew a few opportunities, hah! With that said, I met my first manager at the time, stayed extremely diligent, and got signed shortly after. Over the next few years, we booked a number of network television shows and numerous feature films that really birthed my love for storytelling outside of just acting. This led me to open my own production company and produce a short film (that we ended up spending far too much on) but, it ushered in a larger group of investors who believed in my vision, and ultimately led to the films we’re producing now.
What influenced you to want to have a career in film and TV?
Tough one. So much has influenced me. When I was in college at VCU I was studying homeland security and criminal justice, aiming to follow my dad’s footsteps as a U.S. Navy SEAL. At the time, I had been doing a ton of physical training and found myself being a bit too serious in life. In short, I wasn’t having as much fun as I would’ve liked. I had a great friend named Adam who encouraged me to get into theater to lighten up a bit, so I enrolled in an acting class with a man named Joseph Obermueller, (one of my favorite humans to this day), and I fell in love with the craft immediately! Joe made me get out of my comfort zone by doing all sorts of silly things like making a fool of myself on sorority row, etc. I ended up taking the craft very seriously and felt that I might be able to make a difference in the world through storytelling, which is ultimately what I wanted to do through the military. I would say that was my ultimate influence to have a career in film/TV. A few months later, I had a conversation with my coach, and he told me “Washington is power, Hollywood is influence.” This stuck with me. The next thing I knew, I was packing my bags for LA with the intent on making just that. A positive influence.
What is it about acting that you love?
I love diving deep into the psyche of someone else. I know it’s a classic answer, but that has always been extremely interesting to me as both an actor and a writer. Understanding what makes people think and operate the way they do is fascinating and can take me down rabbit holes of self-exploration that open my own eyes to parts of me I never knew existed. I also love the simple concept of storytelling and understanding how my character functions in the world of a much larger film can help me peel back layers of the film’s script itself. Lastly, I’d say I love finding little slices of myself in others, and using that to help me empathize in life, something we often forget to do entirely.
Who are your role models?
Oh wow, too many to name, but if I had to select a few…
Keanu Reeves: Keanu has been through more than most people can even imagine. He’s suffered at least four separate tragedies that in my opinion, are each enough to break someone in this life and yet he not only continues to show up, but also excels and inspires. He donates more than perhaps any actor I’m aware of, and (if the stories are true), spends time randomly walking the streets with homeless individuals to simply talk about life. That’s so much deeper than people comprehend from just reading about it. He lives a humble existence compared to what he could for how well he’s done, and still takes the subway on occasion. Lastly, he’s a legit martial artist.
Tyler Perry: I spent some time at Tyler’s studio this year and was simply blown away by what he has achieved as not only an entertainer, but also an entrepreneur. The way he utilizes his LLC’s and tax structures is (in my opinion) second to none. He’s a true storyteller, but also pumps out content at record speeds to cater to all different types of viewers. Everywhere you go in Atlanta, there’s something or someone talking about Tyler Perry studios, hah! As an entertainer, I dream of telling stories for the rest of my life, and I strongly feel like Mr. Perry has paved the way to show how it’s done. Obviously, not everyone will be able to create or even emulate what he has accomplished, but following his blueprint can get most producers where they’re looking to go! Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, he is the epitome of a role model when it comes to character. I’ve never heard anyone speak poorly of him, in fact, it’s always quite the opposite. I yearn for such a reputation.
Tim Tebow: Perhaps the greatest role model of all time when it comes to character and work ethic. Regardless of one’s religious affiliations or political ties, if you ask someone what they know about Tim Tebow, it’s impossible to speak down on him. He runs some of the most incredible charities I’ve ever seen and is now leading the fight against human trafficking in America, (an issue no one seems to talk about enough when considering the staggering statistics). Tim is always positive and uplifting, works harder than anyone in the room, and so far, as I’ve ever seen, never complains about anything. I grew up watching him play football and spent many early mornings watching his inspirational videos before going to practice myself! Oh, and my mom and dad 😉 they rock too.
You’ve played an eclectic range of roles, how have you worked to diversify your craft?
Well, I hit all the basics with regards to acting classes, but I’ve also molded my own “system,” which I have written down and plastered in my self-tape studio. I go through it every time I get an audition, and every time I step in to tape. The system essentially just steals techniques that I’ve learned from various coaches along the way! But what it does do on a more serious note, is personalize things for me. Something might work for actor A, but be horribly unapplicable for actor B, for example. So, it’s about finding the techniques and entry points to emotion that work for you personally. Second, I would say my writing has helped me immeasurably. While acting is so much about being present, and ridding yourself of all the work you did to allow yourself to be present in the first place, I believe there are certain quirks and mental aspects that need to be identified and deeply understood before you audition as someone else. Writing has helped me better understand how to craft such a character, and thus, how to step into their shoes.
Is there a certain role that has stood out for you as a favourite?
I have enjoyed all my roles, but I’d have to say my favourite was Luke Baxter. I was on THE BAXTERS (released this year), for 35 episodes, so I simply had the most time with that character. There’s such a difference between allowing a character to act and being a one-day guest star or even a recurring guest. It just allows you the time to really dive in. I also loved my time on iCarly, and Wes was one of my most favoured characters. I’ve done a few comedies now, and I love them more and more each time, plus the cast was just so amazing and made the experience so enjoyable. That character allowed me to just play around, which is ultimately who I am at heart.
What are your interests outside of acting?
I love all things combat related. As I said earlier, my dad was a SEAL, so I grew up boxing, running, and shooting. I ended up competing in boxing when I was 18 and won the 2012 Regional Golden Gloves tournament for VA/NC/PA. To this day I have an archery and hatchet target board in my backyard, which I love to use, and I still box or do MMA every day. I also love to write in other mediums outside of screenplays, I have a 110,000-word fantasy novel that I’m nearly done with after 7 years of excruciating work, hah, so that excites me. Lastly, I would say I’m an avid outdoorsman with my dog, Jack. He’s a Siberian Husky which basically means he’s an insane little fur missile who demands we go on multiple hikes per week!
You’ve also moved in producing, what about that do you find interesting?
I love business in general, and I think it’s fun to cross paths with creativity and commercial savvy. Finding ways to utilize locations, deals, and potential partnerships are all an exhilarating and fun aspect of producing for me, as is bringing good people together. It’s equal parts “strategy” and “charisma,” so I enjoy getting to find realistic ways to support storytellers and bring their visions to life.
Talk us through the project Wildflower?
This was one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had on set. Of course, I was only acting, so I had a lot less to deal with from a producing burden standpoint, but wow was it a wonderful shoot… The cast and crew were just incredible, and I’ve followed the careers of some of my castmates for a long time now, so it was wonderful getting to share the lens with them. Additionally, everyone was so kind and so down to earth, which is rare. The crew was also one of my favorite groups of people ever, if not my favorite and I’ve got to know / learn from some of the producers as well, an additional peek. My character Tyler catches the film’s main character (Kiernan Shipka), at a bad moment, and I essentially serve as a terrible influence leading to some bad things for her. Watch the film to find out!
You’re starring in The Resurrection of Charles Manson, what drew you to that role?
Well, I wrote the script with a dear friend quite a long time ago based on a real-life experience that happened to me in the Yucca Valley desert. Needless to say, it was TERRIFYING. In terms of the casting process, I had not originally planned on playing the role of Mitch until maybe mid-way through pre-production as we geared up to cast other roles. It soon became apparent that me playing the character made sense. As for the psyche of the character himself, we had greatly based him off what happened to me in the desert, so it was an obvious role to tackle!
What can we expect from the project?
It is out now on SVOD, and easily viewable on AppleTV or Amazon Prime. The project is getting a lot of positive feedback, which is always encouraging for a low budget feature! People have really enjoyed the twists and turns, so check it out for a good suspense/thriller!
What are your career goals?
This is a tough one. I have quite a few, and all my friends know about the infamous goal boards hung throughout my home! I’d have to say that my goal is to create a platform that is large enough for me to spark change from. I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of entertainment from acting, screenwriting, producing, and even literature, so for me, I simply want to put stories out into the world that make a positive impact, and hopefully make people reflect on issues that truly matter. As an actor, I’d love to find myself on a few shows that do just that… and as a producer/writer, I’d like to have a studio one day, as many folks would, but we are in the midst of making that a reality as we speak, so hopefully I’ll be able to create meaningful content for a long time to come!
What’s next for you?
I’ve got a few episodes coming out on Tyler Perry’s All The Queen’s Men for BET+ soon and a great part as Luke Baxter in a new series titled The Baxter’s for MGM. The series was based on Karen Kingsbury’s beloved literary series of the same name. Next, the second film I’ve both written and produced titled RIDE, will be released late this year! I also play the part of Noah in that film, and I am beyond proud of the product I’m seeing in the editing bay. The film stars C. Thomas Howell, Annabeth Gish, and Forrie Smith. It’s special. Lastly, I have a few projects our production company is cooking up now, so I would say standby. And if anyone out there has a truly great package or script, please send it our way to Pine Bay Productions!
What’s your advice to any budding actors trying to find their way in the industry?
Consistency. Long game. Love the journey not the outcome. Steal from the greats but make it personal. Everyone will tell you that you can’t, they’re only right if you believe them. Diversify your skill sets and learn to supplement your acting with writing, even if you don’t ever sell a script or pitch one (I highly suggest not doing so until you’ve had years and years of practice), but the process of writing will help you break down texts for incoming auditions. Lastly, surround yourself with actors who are better than you, and the people you think will push you to grow. Your team is everything.