…Trust in your why. Have a powerful reason for why you’re doing this. If your why is strong, it’ll keep you in the game even when things get tough — because, trust me, you will get knocked around. For me, my why is spreading good, honoring God, and being the best man I can be while I’m here. That’s what keeps me going. It’s what helps me get up, take 25 hits to the face, and keep pushing forward. But if your why is shallow — if it’s just for personal fame, money, or partying — then, in my opinion, you’re going to burn out fast. A lot of people hit success quickly but don’t have long-lasting careers because their foundation isn’t strong. So, having a meaningful why and staying true to it would be my fifth and most important piece of advice…
I had the pleasure of talking with Josh Plasse. Josh is an American actor, writer, and producer known for his diverse contributions to film and television. The son of a U.S. Navy SEAL and a 2012 Golden Gloves boxing champion, Plasse grew up surrounded by discipline and resilience, qualities that have informed his work ethic and career trajectory. He initially pursued a path in Homeland Security and Criminal Justice at Virginia Commonwealth University, aiming to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, a chance reconnection with a high school friend sparked an interest in acting, leading him to pivot toward the arts. Under the mentorship of Joseph Obermueller, Plasse trained in theater and acting, ultimately relocating to Hollywood with only five months of acting experience.
In Hollywood, Plasse quickly made strides, securing guest roles on acclaimed television series such as Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, American Horror Story, and Grown-ish. His career gained further momentum with his recurring role as Wes in the 2021 revival of iCarly. In 2024, he portrayed Luke Baxter in the Amazon Prime adaptation of The Baxters, a series based on Karen Kingsbury’s bestselling novels.
In addition to acting, Plasse has made his mark as a writer and producer. He co-wrote, produced, and starred in the 2023 film The Resurrection of Charles Manson. In 2022, he appeared as Tyler in the comedy-drama Wildflower, sharing the screen with Kiernan Shipka, Brad Garrett, Jean Smart, and Charlie Plummer. His range as a storyteller was further showcased in Ride (2024), where he not only played the lead role of Noah Hawkins but also took on responsibilities as writer and producer.
Plasse’s artistic endeavors are matched by his commitment to philanthropy. In 2024, he spearheaded Operation 22, a campaign to raise awareness about military suicide. Over the course of 22 days, Plasse rucked 22 miles daily with a 22-pound rucksack, symbolizing the average daily suicides among U.S. veterans. The campaign raised significant funds for Stop Soldier Suicide, an organization dedicated to addressing this critical issue. Plasse also conducted interviews with the families of military suicide victims, an experience that deeply influenced him and inspired elements of his future creative projects.
Plasse’s artistic and philanthropic achievements are rooted in a discipline honed through his father’s influence and his athletic background. A multi-sport athlete, he has pursued baseball, martial arts, boxing, swimming, and golf. This athleticism, coupled with an early interest in drawing comics and storytelling, laid the groundwork for his creative versatility. His artistic pursuits expanded to writing, with his fantasy novel Dust set for release in February 2025, drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings. It can be preordered here.
As a storyteller, Plasse emphasizes the importance of authenticity and resilience. Reflecting on his career, he has shared lessons about the value of perseverance, the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals, and the power of maintaining a clear sense of purpose. These principles have guided him through the challenges of the entertainment industry and have inspired his work on projects that explore themes of healing, connection, and identity.
Currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Kirsten, Plasse continues to build a career that bridges the worlds of art and advocacy. He remains active in his creative pursuits while dedicating time to initiatives that support veterans and raise awareness about mental health issues. Plasse’s blend of talent, drive, and purpose has positioned him as an emerging voice in Hollywood with a commitment to making a meaningful impact both on and off-screen.
Yitzi: Josh, it’s an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Josh: Oh man, that’s a big start. I grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. My father was a Navy SEAL, so I wanted to follow in his footsteps for most of my life. I actually studied Homeland Security and Criminal Justice in college. I was headed in that direction, kind of following his path. He was overseas a lot, and honestly, I wouldn’t say I had an artistic bone in my body back then. So, pursuing the arts was definitely a 180 for me.
I went to school for Homeland Security, as I mentioned, and during that time, I reconnected with a high school friend named Adam. He was this fun, chill, nonchalant guy, and I remember asking him, “Hey man, why are you always so happy?” because I was way too serious back then. And he said, “Buddy, it’s the theater.” One thing led to another, and I ended up taking some theater classes early in college. At that point, I was in Richmond, Virginia, and to be honest, I just never looked back. I absolutely fell in love with it.
I had a coach named Joseph Obermuller, who is still a mentor to me today. He lives in California now. Joseph really helped me break out of my shell — he got me into commercials and encouraged me to push myself. There wasn’t much competition in Virginia, so I did pretty well. I got an agent pretty quickly, and she told me, “You should consider moving to LA and taking this seriously.”
It was a crazy decision to make because I still wanted to pursue the Navy path. I remember sitting with Joseph, talking about what I should do. Ultimately, I just wanted to make a positive impact in the world, and he helped me see a different way to do that. He said something that stuck with me forever: “Washington is power, but Hollywood is influence.” The “power in Washington” was a metaphor for a naval career, which I deeply respect — it’s the highest form of service to your country. But in my specific situation, I understood what he meant.
There aren’t many people out there trying to use their art or platform to empower others and make a positive difference. So, at that moment, I decided to take a leap and pursue this path. I started diving into all things art. I realized I’d always been artistic without even knowing it. I grew up drawing comics and writing as a kid but never saw it as anything significant at the time.
That’s how I transitioned into this career. I eventually moved to LA and got a bit lucky. I brought an athletic mindset into the arts, which I think helped a lot. Even if I’m not the most talented artist, I’m definitely one of the hardest workers. That discipline has carried me far. So far, the stars have aligned, and things have been going well. That’s the long version of my origin story!
Yitzi: So you probably have some amazing stories from the different parts of your career. And maybe it’s hard to boil them down. But can you share one or two stories that most stand out in your life from your professional career?
Josh: Man, yeah, there are so many. I guess one that stands out is actually pretty recent. As you know, we travel a lot for work — whether it’s acting, producing, writing, or even doing publicity. I’ve been fortunate to go to a lot of places.
About five or six months ago, I went to Korea for an Amazon show. I was there for about two and a half months, and it was the first time I got to spend an extended period of time in such a unique place. The time difference was 17 hours, so I was pretty cut off from everyone I usually talk to. When I was waking up, my friends and family back in the States were going to sleep, and vice versa. It was a little isolating, but it was also such a fun opportunity to go out there, create, act, and do what I love.
There was one moment in particular that really stuck with me. It was late at night — probably around 1 or 2 a.m. I had been hanging out with some of the cast and crew, but I decided to walk back to my place alone. While I was walking, I looked up at the moon. And I know this sounds nerdy, but I think you’ll get what I mean.
I just had this realization that, no matter where we are in the world, we’re all looking at the same moon. Even though no one I knew was awake at that moment, it reminded me how connected we all are. And I thought about how far my art has taken me — from making decisions back in college to being halfway across the world, doing what I love.
It was this surreal moment of gratitude. I realized how lucky I am to have these opportunities, and it made me reflect on how far I’ve come. It’s not that I think I’m doing anything extraordinary, but it was a reminder to appreciate the journey. It was just one of those moments where I stopped and thought, “Wow, this is pretty stinkin’ cool.”
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson you learned from it?
Josh: Oh my gosh, I have so many. Let me give you two.
The first one is kind of funny. When I got my SAG card, I was Taft-Hartleyed into the union. I was probably 20 at the time and super new to the industry. I was working on a pilot called Company Town in Virginia, directed by Taylor Hackford. He’s a legendary director, and I really look up to him. He’s married to Helen Mirren, so if you’re familiar with their work, you know how big of a deal that is.
Anyway, I was just an extra on the set, but I knew who he was, and I thought, “Okay, this is my chance to stand out.” At one point, he was going through the extras, looking for people to be featured. He said, “I need a couple of guys to be featured extras,” which basically just means you’re going to get a little more screen time. I immediately volunteered, even though I had no experience, and he said, “Okay, great.”
Two days later, the AD (Assistant Director) came over and said, “Hey guys, we need someone to climb up on this plane, pretend they’re drunk, hold a bottle, and throw it while screaming. Whoever does it is going to get a line, and we’ll Taft-Hartley them into the union. But they need to be athletic and able to climb the plane quickly.” I thought, “Well, I’m pretty athletic. Let’s go!”
But here’s where it gets tricky — it started raining. The AD had some safety concerns and was ready to call off the shot, saying, “We’ll have to punt this one.” And I thought, “No way! If they punt this, I won’t get my chance.” So, as a totally inexperienced extra, I said, “Hey, I’m ready. Let’s just do it quickly.” I had absolutely no authority to make that call, but they decided to give it a shot anyway.
So, I climb up onto the wing of the plane, and of course, I slip because it’s raining. The AD and everyone else is scrambling, probably thinking, “What have we done?” I ended up recovering, kind of made a joke out of it, and we got the shot in the end. But looking back, I realize how ridiculous it was. I was grossly unprepared, and I forced myself into the situation.
The lesson I learned that day? Don’t force things. If something’s not meant to happen at that moment, it’s okay. You can’t shove a triangle into a circle. What’s meant to be will come in its own time, and when you’re ready, the opportunities will present themselves. That was a big wake-up call for me.
The second one is simpler but just as important. I was working on a movie, and we made some bad hires — myself included in the mistakes that were made. It was one of those projects where everything seemed to go wrong. I remember sitting with the team at 3 a.m., reflecting on how bad it had all gone. We were asking ourselves, “What did we learn from this?”
And the big takeaway was this: People over everything.
Who you surround yourself with matters more than anything else, especially in the entertainment industry. You are the sum of the five people closest to you, whether it’s in your work life, home life, or any other aspect. And in this business, it’s amplified. You’re spending 12 to 14 hours a day with these people for months at a time if you’re on a show or a long project. If you’re not surrounded by the right people, it can derail everything.
So, those are my two big lessons. One, don’t force it — let things come in their time. And two, people over everything. The right team can make all the difference.
Yitzi: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. And we love hearing stories where somebody who’s a little further ahead opens a door or creates an opportunity that changes someone’s career trajectory. Do you have a story like that, where someone did that for you or where you did that for someone else?
Josh: Very well said. I hope that soon enough, I’ll be able to say I’ve done that a lot. As for help I’ve received, actually, yes. There are a couple of people who have been really, really amazing.
One example wasn’t a door opened, exactly, but someone wrote me a letter. He was an acting coach, and it was the first time I ever network-tested for something. I actually still have the letter hanging on my wall — even now, here in Nashville.
So, I went in to test, and he wrote me this incredibly encouraging letter beforehand. But he held onto it and didn’t give it to me until afterward, probably because he knew what was going to happen. I ended up not getting the job, but I came really close. I was crushed, man. I remember being in LA, just totally broken down. It had taken me so long to get to that point, and I didn’t get it. You sign the contract, you see what the money would’ve been — it’s life-changing — and then it doesn’t happen.
At the time, I was struggling so hard. I was working two jobs, taking acting classes, just really grinding. And then, this letter he gave me — it was incredible. I don’t know why, but the way he wrote it was so encouraging that it gave me this sense of affirmation. Here was this veteran in the industry who saw something in me, believed in me.
That letter, in some ways, changed the trajectory of my career. He didn’t directly open a door for me, but he gave me fuel for the car, so to speak. And in a way, that might have helped more. No one’s ever really opened a door for me, but he gave me this renewed sense of purpose. It was like, “Wow, I never thought about things like this, this, and this.”
That letter was the gas in the car that kept me going for the next five years.
Yitzi: You mentioned that your dad was a Navy SEAL. Did having a dad with that background influence your discipline, your outlook on life, or even your career?
Josh: For sure. Absolutely. Yeah. You know, those guys travel a lot, so they’re not necessarily around all the time to shape you in a traditional way. But to a young kid, they’re kind of this larger-than-life hero. When you’re really young, it’s like a thing of legend. You don’t fully know what they’re doing — no one really does.
As I got older, though, I started to piece things together. I’d talk to him, hear his stories, and learn more about what he went through to get there. And, man, yeah, once I started to really understand what he was doing and what it took, it absolutely shaped my life. There’s a certain mindset — I’ll call it a “one-percenter” mentality — that those guys have. I mean, quite literally, only 0.1% of people make it through what they’re trying to do.
He definitely instilled in me a work ethic that I think of as a fire. It’s like this constant drive that’s been burning since I was young. Having him in my life inspired me, showed me what it takes to succeed, and gave me this kind of restless energy to just keep pushing every single day. Honestly, it’s probably tied to a little bit of ADHD, but it’s the kind of energy that keeps me going nonstop.
One thing I’ll never forget is something he told me when I was really young. I think he just made this up, but it stuck with me forever. He said, “Integrity is what you do when no one’s watching.” That’s one example of the kind of lessons that stayed with me.
Obviously, you can’t bring the exact culture of the SEAL teams home, but he found ways to teach me values like discipline, resilience, and integrity. I like to think that everything he taught me helped shape who I am today.
Yitzi: So, Josh, you have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers the exciting projects you’re working on? Share with us about your book and tell us why we have to buy it.
Josh: Oh, I love it. I love it. Yeah, let’s start with the book. So, the book is called Dust. It comes out February 4th, and it’ll be available everywhere — wherever you buy books. If you want to pre-order it, help me out and do it now!
Dust has been a 10-year labor of love for me. If you’re a fan of fantasy, if you love Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, this book is for you. The best way I can describe it is “vying for the throne.” If you’re into Game of Thrones, you’re really going to like this.
The story begins with the assassination of a royal family. Three children survive, and they work together to uncover what happened. But once they discover the truth, chaos breaks out, and they end up competing against each other for the throne. It’s sort of in that Game of Thrones vein.
The book is called Dust because dust is the source of magic in this world. Without giving too much away, that’s the reason behind the title. The magic is very grounded in a system that’s woven into the world-building. And honestly, man, your background is on point today — it reminds me of the vibe of the book! I wish the readers could see it because it’s kind of what I picture the world of Dust looking like.
Anyway, I’m really excited about it. It’s been getting some great reviews so far. Booklist, for example, gave it a fantastic review. I’m just so thrilled to finally share it with the world.
Yitzi: What else are you excited to be working on, either now or in the future?
Josh: The book is obviously taking up most of my time right now, with all the publicity and everything, especially since I’ve been working on it for so long. So, for anyone who loves fantasy, I hope they check it out and rock and roll with it. But if fantasy isn’t your thing, then these next projects might be more up your alley.
The next film we’re doing is probably what I’m most excited about right now. My production company is still pretty young — we’ve only made two movies so far. But this third one, man… I hesitate to say this because I don’t want to jinx it, but I think this is going to be the one.
The next film is called The Pirate King. We haven’t officially announced it yet, so there’s still a lot that needs to happen before I can say too much. But it’s a beautiful, true story about someone in my family. It’s about a struggling pirate reenactor who’s also a veteran. He lost his hand and leg overseas, and when he gets back stateside, he can’t find work. Eventually, he meets this pirate reenactment crew, and they’re like, “Dude, get yourself a hook hand and a peg leg, and you’re going to be a legend. You’ll fit right in.”
Ultimately, it’s a film about a veteran coming home and finding his tribe — finding where he belongs. It’s a beautiful drama about healing, and I’m really, really excited about it.
On top of that, I’m heading to New York soon to work on another film called Dutch and Razzle Khan. They’ve already announced that one, so I can talk about it all I want. That one’s really exciting too.
One more thing I’m excited about is a show coming out this year called Butterfly. That’s the project I was in Korea for. So, I’d say keep an eye out for that one. I’m really excited about it, too.
Yitzi: You had a role in Grey’s Anatomy, which is one of the most popular shows. What do you think it is about Grey’s Anatomy that captured people’s hearts and minds?
Josh: Yeah, man. That’s a great question. Quite a lot, honestly. I think the biggest thing is they have such a talented and charismatic cast. If I had to summarize it in one line, I’d say that. And that’s not to take away from any other elements of the show — the scripts are fantastic, and everyone involved at every level of the show is brilliant. But the cast is just so remarkably likable and good at what they do, both as actors and in the show. I think that’s really what made it a hit. People identify with it. Obviously, there are high stakes and impactful drama, but if I had to summarize it, I’d say it’s the combination of an incredibly talented, charismatic cast and a high-stakes, fast-paced, dramatic show.
Yitzi: Could you tell us a bit about Operation 22?
Josh: I appreciate it, man. Yeah, we just wrapped it up a couple of months ago. I don’t remember exactly how long it’s been, but yeah, people can definitely still support the organizations involved.
Operation 22 was a campaign for suicide awareness that I did with my team. Right now in the United States, 22 veterans die by suicide every single day. So, we ran 22 miles a day for 22 days, wearing a 22-pound rucksack to honor them. It’s a bit of a crazy undertaking, and I guess I get my adventurous streak from my dad — he’s a bit of a madman, so I must’ve gotten those genes from him.
The campaign wasn’t just about the running, though. The beauty of Operation 22 was that we raised a ton of money for an incredible group called Stop Soldier Suicide. If anyone reading this feels inclined, I’d really encourage them to give to Stop Soldier Suicide. The work they do is absolutely amazing. We were able to give 100% of the proceeds to them, and, coincidentally, on the 22nd day of the campaign, we hit $22,000 raised. No joke — it’s crazy how that worked out.
Another powerful part of the campaign was interviewing survivor families. These were families — children, spouses, mothers, daughters, and sons — who had lost a loved one to suicide. We conducted interviews with a few of them, and they wanted their stories to be shared with the world in the hopes that it might help and empower others who have gone through similar pain.
Honestly, it was life-changing. I know “awesome” might be an odd word to describe it because it’s such a heavy topic, but it was extremely impactful and powerful. Those stories stuck with me and, ironically, became the catalyst for The Pirate King. Some of the revenue from that movie will go to Stop Soldier Suicide as well.
It’s just one of those things where truth is always stranger than fiction. You can’t make some of this stuff up — it’s raw, real life. Some of the bits in the Pirate King script came straight from those interviews, and there’s no way I could’ve made that up. I’m not nearly talented enough for that. Maybe someone like Stephen Knight could pull it off, but most writers? No. Real life always outpaces fiction.
So, yeah, that’s what Operation 22 was all about. We’re really proud of the impact it had, and we hope to do more campaigns like that in the future. There’s still so much work to be done. As our platform grows, I hope we can use it to raise more awareness and funds and, ultimately, help make a difference. That’s the goal.
Yitzi: This is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success, and I’m sure you’ve learned a ton along the way. Looking back to when you first started acting, can you share five things you know now that you wish someone had told you back then?
Josh: Oh yeah, that’s a great question, man.
- Number one: Perseverance is king. Just stay in the race. It’s not going to happen overnight, and the people who stick with it the longest usually find success.
- Number two: Who you surround yourself with is everything. I mentioned this earlier in the interview, but it’s so important. Surround yourself with good people who challenge you, support you, and want to see you grow.
- Number three: Don’t try to force it. Again, like I said earlier, you can’t force things to happen. Timing is everything, and sometimes you just have to trust the process and let it unfold naturally.
- Number four: Every path is different. Don’t compare yourself to others. Comparison is a killer. I wish I had known that when I started out. It’s a double-edged sword because, on one hand, seeing others succeed can motivate you, but on the other hand, it can also discourage you if you’re not where they are. Everyone’s journey is unique, so focus on your own path.
- And number five: Trust in your why. Have a powerful reason for why you’re doing this. If your why is strong, it’ll keep you in the game even when things get tough — because, trust me, you will get knocked around. For me, my why is spreading good, honoring God, and being the best man I can be while I’m here. That’s what keeps me going. It’s what helps me get up, take 25 hits to the face, and keep pushing forward. But if your why is shallow — if it’s just for personal fame, money, or partying — then, in my opinion, you’re going to burn out fast. A lot of people hit success quickly but don’t have long-lasting careers because their foundation isn’t strong. So, having a meaningful why and staying true to it would be my fifth and most important piece of advice.
Yitzi: This is our final aspirational question, and it really ties into everything you’ve been saying. Josh, because of your great work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would it be?
Josh: Oh man, that’s a big question. There are probably a lot of good answers here, but I think a simple one — and it’s sort of biblical in principle — is this: give more than you take. That’s it. Just give more than you take. And ironically, if you’re after taking, you’ll actually end up receiving more by giving more. I truly believe that those who give are replenished and will always have more to give.
So, for me, it’s just that simple: give more than you take. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your belief systems are, or what you’re trying to do. Aspirationally speaking, it’s universal. If you focus on giving more than you take, I think you’ll end up being a really happy person.
When we focus too much on ourselves — measuring our own success, our own accomplishments, or what we have — it’s easy to fall into comparison or dissatisfaction. But when you start focusing on others, when you truly and authentically give more than you take, it becomes pretty hard to be unhappy.
Yitzi: Josh, how can our readers watch your films, buy your book, or support you in any way?
Josh: Oh man, I appreciate that. Well, if you’re out there, just find me! Look me up — I’m on Instagram. I’ve been bad about it in the past, but I’m getting more active these days. If you follow me, I’ll follow you back.
If you want to buy the book, just search for Dust Book by Josh Plasse. You can pre-order it anywhere — Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Simon & Schuster, wherever you prefer.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/DUST/Josh-Plasse/9781637633540
https://www.amazon.com/DUST-Novel-Josh-Plasse/dp/1637633548
As far as the films go, the best way to stay updated is by following me on social media. I’ll be posting announcements there about release dates and projects.
Thanks so much, man. I really appreciate the support.
Yitzi: Josh, it’s been so nice to meet you. I wish you continued success and blessings, and I hope we can do this again next year.
Josh: Same to you, my friend. Done. Let’s lock it in now!
Rising Star & Author Josh Plasse Talks Acting, Writing, and Advocacy was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.