Interviewing actor Oswald Hunter

1-. How was your childhood?

My childhood was incredibly challenging — marked by deep loneliness, emotional hardship, and very little sense of belonging. I grew up in the Netherlands, and for most of my early life I felt isolated, both at home and at school. I was severely bullied from primary school through high school, and at home, I often lacked the emotional safety that children deserve.

The one constant source of unconditional love in my life was my mother — she gave everything she could, and I will always be grateful for her. But within the family, I faced emotional distance and, at times, outright emotional and physical abuse. I have two older brothers, but I was never allowed or able to build a real connection with them, and the age gap only deepened the divide.

Looking back now, I realise that what saved me — in many ways — was creativity. I found comfort in music, in drawing, in LEGO — in any space where I could build my own reality and escape the one I was stuck in. I think those quiet, imaginative hours shaped something in me. They taught me to feel deeply, to notice the things people don’t always say out loud. And maybe that’s where the storyteller in me first began — not from joy, but from the need to understand, and to be understood.

2-. From what age did you decide to be a actor and filmmaker and how did you know you had the skills to go on TV?

Acting pulled at me from a very young age. I remember being deeply drawn to it as a teenager, even joining amateur acting groups — but I’d back out just as quickly, not because I didn’t love it, but because I didn’t yet believe in myself. The art of acting and storytelling has always been there in the background, but it took time for my courage and self-worth to catch up.

At 35, I made the decision to pursue acting full-time. That was a life-changing moment — leaving behind a regular job, and even my own company, to dedicate myself completely to the craft. I’ve worked toward that goal every day since.

From the beginning, I knew I didn’t just want to perform in stories — I wanted to create them too. I’ve always carried stories in my mind. I could spend hours shaping them visually in my imagination, but I also knew I had to start where every storyteller should: by learning the craft of acting first. That learning never stops. But once I had a solid foundation and started working on set, I began to understand how stories move from page to screen — and that’s when I started writing screenplays and finding my voice as a filmmaker too.

As for “having the skills to be on TV” — I don’t really think of it that way. My job isn’t to be seen or to perform for the camera. My responsibility is to bring truth to the character, to serve the story, and to do it with honesty. Yes, acting requires trainable skills — but I also believe that if you can see me acting, I’m doing something wrong. The goal is for the audience to believe the story completely, wherever and however it’s shown. My work should feel invisible — because when the performance is true, the viewer stops seeing the actor and starts seeing the character.

That said, I will always pursue becoming better at what I do. To this day, I believe I have what it takes — but I also refuse to ever think of myself as “finished” when it comes to learning this craft. Every role, every moment on set, is a new opportunity to go deeper — to bring more honesty, more detail, and more humanity into the work.

3-. Did your parents support you in the decision you made to be an actor?

My mother has been one of my greatest supporters. She truly believes that I’ve made the right choice, and she has full faith that I’ll build a sustainable and fulfilling career as an actor. She sees the passion and commitment I put into my work, and she respects it deeply.

Even my stepfather — who’s always been a very practical, grounded man who values stability and traditional career paths — fully supports me. Despite coming from a mindset of “safe jobs,” he’s all in on the idea that this is what I’m meant to do. That kind of backing means a lot to me.

As for my biological father, we haven’t had contact in years. I’ve tried to rebuild some kind of relationship, but the interest hasn’t been mutual. Whether he knows that I’m an actor or not, I honestly couldn’t say. That’s just not a door that’s been open.

My brothers have mostly remained distant. One is aware of what I’m doing, but doesn’t express much one way or the other. The other, as far as I know, doesn’t follow my journey and has never shown interest in maintaining a connection.

What I’ve found instead is a chosen circle — starting with my wife, who’s one of my biggest believers. She stands by me, supports the risks, and genuinely sees the vision I’m working toward.

And there’s Victor — someone I’m proud to call not just my go-to person when it comes to filmmaking, but a true and genuine friend. He’s not shy about showing appreciation, and his encouragement means more than I can put into words. That kind of loyalty and honesty is rare, and I don’t take it for granted.

I’m also lucky to have a small circle of like-minded creatives in my corner — people who, like me, are driven by purpose. We support each other, and that mutual energy keeps us moving. I’ve come to realize that support doesn’t always come from where we expect it — sometimes it comes from where we build it.

4-. What was your first appearance on the screens?

My first appearance on screen was as an extra — fully visible, but without any lines or direction beyond where to stand and how to look! There were a few of those jobs early on, and while they were small, they gave me my first taste of life on set. Not long after, I started getting cast in smaller speaking roles — one of the first was playing a journalist who had to pose a question to the lead character.

5-. What was the role you liked the most?

It’s hard to choose a single role — I don’t really have one favorite. But the characters I’ve enjoyed most all had something in common: they were rooted in real-life experiences or made to feel deeply relatable to the audience. Even when the story wasn’t based on actual events, the emotional truth behind the character was something people could connect to.

I’ve always been drawn to roles in the drama genre, especially the kind that let me lose myself in the character and explore human vulnerability. When the performance becomes more about truth than technique — that’s when I feel most at home.

6-. What do you think led you to Fame?

To be completely honest, I’ve never really understood the concept of “fame.” Is it the number of followers on social media? How many people have seen your work? Or how well-known you are within the industry? I’m genuinely not sure — and sometimes I wonder if I’m even famous enough for this question to apply to me! If I walk down the street and someone recognizes me, I’ll let you know.

What I do focus on is building strong relationships, expanding my network, and creating opportunities to meet the right people — whether that’s in person, at industry events, or through collaborations. For me, it’s about putting in the work every day, staying consistent, and letting the craft speak louder than any numbers ever could. If recognition comes, that’s great — but the goal has never been fame. It’s to keep growing as an actor and to keep telling stories that matter.

7-. What types of characters you would like to interpret?

As an actor, I aim to be as broad as possible in my craft. Whether it’s character-driven work, truth-based stories, or fictional narratives, I believe it’s all about being able to diversify and fully commit to whatever world you step into.

I don’t necessarily see myself as the next action hero in a CGI-heavy blockbuster — though maybe that’s more of a confidence thing than a question of ability. Who knows? Never say never.

One specific goal I absolutely strive for — and say with a bit of a wink — is to play what I call a "Disney dad." Working alongside children in a film or sitcom, bringing warmth, humor, and heart to a story like that, is something I’d love to do. That kind of role just feels real and meaningful to me.

Beyond any specific type, though, I simply want to feel at home in the character — no matter the genre. Whether it’s comedy, drama, or something in between, my goal is to serve the story honestly and make the audience believe every second of it.

8-. What actresses and actors do you feel confortable working with?

There are definitely actors I would love to work with one day — the list is longer than I could fit into a single answer. But if I had to name just a few, I’d say Keanu Reeves, Jude Law, Viola Davis, and Emma Stone. Not only do they show incredible range in their performances, but they also seem to carry a strong sense of humility and human connection on set. That kind of presence doesn’t just make a scene better — it raises the bar for the entire production.

In terms of what makes me personally feel comfortable on set, it's genuine human interaction. I value hard work and preparation above all, but once the technical side is in place — knowing your lines, understanding your direction — what really elevates a performance is the connection between actors. I feel most at home working with people who are humble, focused, and understand the job at hand. Status doesn’t matter to me — what matters is showing up with respect for the craft, for the team, and for the story we're there to tell.

9-. In what other genres of art would you like to participate? (Works of theater, music, among others)

Music has always been a big part of my life. I sing regularly and creating covers in my home studio is something I truly enjoy. One of my dreams is to perform in a musical someday — whether on stage or screen. The blend of acting and music feels like a natural extension of who I am as a storyteller.

I also have a real love for stage work. I’ve done some theater in the past and would absolutely love to do more — especially if it involves musical theater. There’s something incredibly raw and immediate about performing live that keeps me connected to the heart of the craft.

Outside of performance, I’ve written two books and I’m currently working on my third. Writing is another way I process the world — and being able to shape characters, stories, and emotion through the written word has helped me grow as an actor as well.

10-. Do you have any anecdotes that have marked you in your life and as a person?

There are two moments of wisdom that have stuck with me and shaped how I approach both my life and my work. The first is a quote by Maya Angelou: “Modesty is a learned affectation. Humility comes from inside out.” That line changed how I saw myself. I spent a long time believing I had to downplay my potential in order to be accepted — but Angelou helped me understand that humility isn’t about shrinking. It’s about knowing your value without needing to broadcast it. That mindset has helped me grow not just as an actor, but as a collaborator.

The second moment came from Jim Carrey’s commencement speech, where he said: “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” That hit me hard. I’d spent years in a “safe” life that didn’t align with who I really am. And it wasn’t until I stepped fully into acting and storytelling — with no guarantees — that I started living authentically. His words gave me permission to stop apologizing for choosing a path that’s uncertain, but meaningful.

Those two messages — one about self-worth, and the other about courage — continue to guide me every step of the way.

11-. What has been your greatest achievement?

Without a doubt, my greatest achievement has been my personal growth. Everything else — my acting career, the projects I’ve brought to life, the recognition, the relationships I’ve built — those are all meaningful, but I see them as trophies that reflect something much deeper: the commitment I made to heal, to reflect, and to build a life I believe in.

Coming from a childhood that lacked emotional safety and support, it would have been easier to take a darker, more destructive path. But I made the conscious decision to rewrite that story — not just for myself, but for the people I care about. Through persistence, reflection, and a refusal to settle, I’ve built a life that’s meaningful, loving, and grounded.

To anyone familiar with the concept of “nature and nurture,” I’m living proof that while we can’t choose where we start, we can choose how we grow.

12-. What projects will you make next and which ones do you have in mind?

Right now, my full focus is on Faces — a deeply personal short film currently in development that explores identity, memory, and the healing power of music. What makes Faces even more meaningful to me is that it's also a stepping stone toward the feature-length adaptation. We’re building something with the potential to resonate far beyond the screen.

Beyond that, I’m also working on my third novel, continuing a creative path that started with writing long before acting became my full-time pursuit. Storytelling has always been my foundation — whether on the page or on screen.

Long term, Faces is more than a film. It’s part of my broader vision: to grow into a fully realized production company that develops powerful, human-centered stories — both short and feature-length — while continuing to build a sustainable career as an actor. This project is just the next chapter in a journey that’s far from finished.

13-. Would you like to make a movie in Spain?

Absolutely. Spain has such a rich cinematic history — visually, culturally, and emotionally. I’d love to explore what it means to tell a story against the backdrop of Spanish landscapes, language, and life. Every country adds its own flavor to filmmaking, and Spain is definitely on my creative radar. If the right story, team, and opportunity came along, I’d be there in a heartbeat.

14-. You like Spanish cinema?

Absolutely. Spanish cinema has a depth and emotional honesty that I really admire. There’s a rawness to the storytelling that doesn’t shy away from complexity — and that’s something I value deeply as both an actor and a filmmaker. Directors like Pedro Almodóvar, for example, show how rich and layered human stories can be when you trust the audience to feel their way through. I think Spanish films have a way of staying with you — and that’s exactly the kind of impact I strive for in my own work.