An Actor Despairs

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MIDDLE DISAPPEARS? | Daniel Bessner on Hollywood & AI

Join your host Ryan M. Perez and Daniel Bessner for Part Two of their conversation around Daniel's new book, IMPERIALIST REALISM. This time, the conversation turns from

Sep 21
48 min

CAN HOLLYWOOD SURVIVE THE DEATH OF MASS CULTURE? | Daniel Bessner & Neal Bledsoe

Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guests Daniel Bessner and Neal Bledsoe for Part One of a wide-ranging conversation centered around Daniel's new book, IMPERIALIST REALISM

Sep 16
58 min

Jefferson White

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor and producer Jefferson White, known for Yellowstone, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Civil War, and The

Aug 19
1 h 59 min

Theo Rossi (Part 2 of 2)

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor, producer, and entrepreneur Theo Rossi, known for Sons of Anarchy, Luke Cage, Emily the Criminal, The Penguin, and

Aug 11
1 h 32 min

Theo Rossi (Part 1 of 2)

Part 1 of 2: Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor, producer Theo Rossi, known for Sons of Anarchy, Luke Cage, Emily the Criminal, and Army of the Dead,

Aug 4
1 h 25 min

Langley Kirkwood

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Langley Kirkwood, known for Warrior, Banshee, Black Sails, and Generation Kill, to discuss his journey from growin

Jul 29
1 h 54 min

Thomas Coombes

Join your host Ryan M. Perez and guest Thomas Coombes as they discuss growing up in the U.K., discovering the arts at a young age, navigating drama school, and breaking i

Jul 23
1 h 07 min

Gretchen Mol

Join your host Ryan Perez and guest Gretchen Mol as they discuss growing up in Connecticut, discovering acting, moving to New York, landing early roles in THE FUNERAL, DO

Jul 21
1 h 02 min

Brian Geraghty

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Brian Geraghty, known for 1923, The Hurt Locker, Flight, and Jarhead, to discuss his journey from growing up in Ne

Jul 9
2 h 22 min

Macon Blair

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor, writer, and director Macon Blair, known for Oppenheimer, Blue Ruin, and Green Room, to discuss his journey from g

Jul 1
1 h 49 min

David Denman

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor David Denman, known for The Office and 13 Hours, to discuss his journey from growing up in Orange County and atten

Jun 20
2 h 12 min

Kevin Kane

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Kevin Kane, known for Life & Beth and Law & Order: SVU, to discuss his journey from growing up in Philadelphia and

Jun 5
1 h 38 min

Matt Jones

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Matt Jones, known for Breaking Bad, Mom, Bob Hearts Abishola, and Gilmore Girls, to discuss his journey from growi

May 29
1 h 52 min

Brittany Allen

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor and composer Brittany Allen, known for Dexter: Original Sin, The Boys, All My Children, and The Pitt, to discuss h

May 26
1 h 30 min

Daniel Bessner Part 2

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with Daniel Bessner, college professor and host of American Prestige, to discuss the history of Hollywood’s financialization

May 13
1 h 20 min

Neil Forsyth

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with Neil Forsyth, creator of Guilt and the new Legends on Netflix, to discuss his journey from growing up in Dundee, Scotlan

May 11
1 h 36 min

Daniel Bessner Part 1

Part 1 of 2: Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with Daniel Bessner, college professor and host of American Prestige, to discuss his upbringing in New York, aca

May 6
1 h 03 min

Ivana Miličević

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Ivana Miličević, known for Banshee, Seinfeld, and Casino Royale, to discuss her journey from immigrating from Bosn

Apr 27
1 h 41 min

Eric Lange

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Eric Lange, known for The West Wing and Escape at Dannemora, to discuss his journey from Ohio to Hollywood, his ei

Apr 24
1 h 24 min

Eva De Dominici

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Eva De Dominici, known for The Cleaning Lady and Balls Up, to discuss her journey from Buenos Aires to Hollywood,

Apr 16
1 h 02 min

Chart trend

Position in the Performing Arts chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#100#198JulAugSepOct

#15

all-time peak

days in the top 50 since Feb 2025

Chart positions

Where An Actor Despairs ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 3, 2026).

#189 ▼ 40 Performing Arts US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I get something out of every episode. I love the craft and I love hearing folks from all facets of this beautiful world, discuss their experience. But even people outside of film, tv, theater, etc., I think would benefit from listening to this podcast.

VSCULLY · Apr 2026

This is a perspective we don’t hear enough off. It’s refreshing to hear what we all in the business know to be true. Acting professionally is beyond hard. If you don’t learn how to moderate your emotional reactions around it, if you don’t work on life alongside your art it becomes unbearable. This pod unpacks the trials and tribulations from artists and it’s helpful to know we’re not alone.

Chuckielove69 · Apr 2026

This is easily one of the Top Podcasts About Acting. I’m always looking forward to another episode and with each guest there is so much knowledge and wisdom to be gained. Ryan is a great host and really leads the interviews in a way that is fun and exciting and his delivery toes the line between structure and spontaneity beautifully. Amazing Podcast!!!!!

AdamJoelHuizenga · Jul 2024

I’ve just started listening to An Actor Despairs and, in spite of the rather dark title, the show really provides a lot of interesting information related to the Acting Industry. Honestly, Antony Starr (Homelander from ‘The Boys’ and Lucas Hood from ‘Banshee’) recommends it and that’s all you should need to know! Check it out!! 5/11/21 Update: The episodes just seem to be getting better and better. Ryan really has a knack of getting his guests to open up about their unique experiences. His interviews with Colman Domingo and Julian Kostov were both excellent! *2/17/22 Update* Ryan really puts his heart and soul into these interviews. His interviews highlight the struggles that actors go through to bring us the joy of theater, television and film. I highly recommend this podcast.

PKM71 · Feb 2022

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.