Actor & Producer Drew Moerlein On The Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Carer In TV & Film
…Have a life and enjoy your life. Remember that your job as an actor is to bring the lives of others to life. And we mustn’t forget that you have one of those as well — a life. Again, imperfectly. I’m not perfect at doing that. I’m very focused on my career, but we must remember that. I’m going to read this and remember that myself.
This may be too morbid, but I know for 100% fact that when I am on my deathbed, I will not be thinking about the jobs and the credits. I’ll be thinking about the people that I loved and who loved me throughout my entire life. So if we can think about that, then we know how to proceed for the rest of today…
I had the pleasure of talking to Drew Moerlein (pronounced MORE-line). As an actor and producer, Drew has made a name for himself by bringing captivating, original, and authentic characters to life on stage and screen. Born in Freeville, New York, Moerlein grew up in a rural environment with a love for the arts instilled by his sculptor father and dancer/nurse mother.
Moerlein’s impressive acting credits include Skydance New Media / Marvel’s groundbreaking cinematic video game “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra,” where he stars as Captain America, and the horror flick “Bloodline Killer,” which will be released in select theaters and on streaming platforms on April 26th. He has also appeared in several films, television shows, and theater productions, earning critical acclaim for his performances.
In addition to his acting, Moerlein has produced several projects, including “Bloodline Killer,” “Nandor Fodor . . . ,” “What Remains of Us,” and “The Plantation.” He made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-nominated musical “American Psycho,” where he originated the role of Paul Owen.
Currently, Moerlein is working on several exciting projects, including “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra,” “The Ballad of a Hustler,” and several commercial spots for E*Trade.
With a passion for the arts and a commitment to excellence, Drew Moerlein is poised for continued success in the entertainment industry. Keep an eye out for this rising star, as he continues to captivate audiences with his talent and dedication.
Yitzi: Drew, 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 tell us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Drew: I grew up in a very rural part of upstate New York, outside of Ithaca, in a little town called Freeville. My dad is a sculptor, and my mom is both a dancer and a nurse. We didn’t have a TV for a while, but eventually, we got one and would watch shows like Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and Roots, which we borrowed from the library. We spent a lot of time playing in the creek behind our house and fishing in a nearby pond. My dad, who grew up in Alaska, taught us how to trap — though I’ll save more of his stories for another day. Many of his family members are still in Alaska. When I was 11, we moved to New Hampshire after my dad landed a job as an art teacher at a small private school, the Derryfield School. A few years later, my brother and I attended as faculty brats once we were old enough. They had a great theater program there, led by Jim Spiegel and Laurel Devino, where I really learned the craft of acting. After graduating, I went to Syracuse University, earned a BFA in acting, and moved straight to New York City. I landed a couple of commercials right off the bat and then started the typical actor’s grind of waiting tables, bartending, and auditioning. I lived in Astoria, Queens, for the better part of a decade, where I met my now-wife, Adrienne. It’s been quite a journey with lots of ups and downs, but building it step by step — Adrienne has been my rock, putting me on the path to where I am today.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories from all these fascinating parts of your life and your career. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite stories from your professional career? Any favorite anecdotes or stories?
Drew: Well, I booked a starring role on a TV show, something actors all dream about, right? The catch was, I was living in New York and it shot in Charleston, South Carolina, and they needed me there in 72 hours. When I shared the great news with my then fiancee, Adrienne, she reminded me coolly that we were getting married in six days. Yes, amidst the excitement, I had totally forgotten! I immediately called my agents to let them know, and luckily, they gave me three days off for the wedding. However, much to my wife’s chagrin, we had to cancel our honeymoon.
Another bizarre story is from when I booked a role for a video game. They told me they’d be sending me to Serbia for some preliminary work. I was surprised because I thought it was shooting in Los Angeles. But off I went to Serbia. It was a whirlwind of being shuttled from the hotel to the studio and back, spending my days in a sort of surreal routine: hotel, studio, solo breakfasts, and then back to the hotel for sleep. It’s funny how in this career, things need to happen immediately. The pace at which things move can be a shock.
Yitzi: Okay, great. So it’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting acting and the lesson you learned from it?
Drew: I’m a person who, even to this day, will go overboard if a role calls for it, even for auditions. I auditioned for something once and the script said that my character “walks in wearing a Speedo”. I’m the person who thinks, “Well, that’s probably what it will entail, right? So I should just do that.” When I got a callback for the role, I noticed that the producers had added a note, “Actors are free to wear their normal clothing for the callback. Disregard what the scene says.” But I can’t remember what I did — I probably just wore the Speedo again. A speedo is just a goldmine of comedy. If you stand there in a Speedo, it’s hilarious.
So what’s the lesson? I think the lesson is to move boldly forth as yourself and make your choice. This definitely ties into advice for actors: don’t be inappropriate or do something uncalled for, but you’ve got to move boldly with respect, confidence, and honesty — you’ve got to be you.
Yitzi: What’s fascinating is that it feels like there should have been a rule about this from the beginning, a precedent. But no, certain things are their own rules. It’s interesting that even after a hundred years of Hollywood, some things are still flexible.
Drew: You’re talking about hundreds of different producers and casting directors who all have their own take on things. Some are very specific, like “Please do not wear a costume for this audition. We just want to see you act.” Some hint at a costume. Some may fully expect you to dress as the character. So it’s a very wide spectrum.
Yitzi: We love stories where somebody who’s a little further ahead opens up a door or creates an opportunity for somebody. And then that changes their life, that changes their career. Do you have a story like that? Or a kindness that still resonates, that has impacted you?
Drew: Well, I may end up having two in this category. The first I will always start with is Jim Spiegel, my drama teacher in high school. He set me on this path.. Mr. Spiegel was a great inspiration and a great champion of mine. I’ll always be grateful for that. He and his whole family drove down from New Hampshire for the opening night of American Psycho on Broadway. It was an incredible moment.
The second is Glenn McQuaid, the director who gave me my first feature film role, “V/H/S,” a horror anthology film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. There was a huge bidding war. Magnolia ended up distributing it. That film started my festival journey. It really kicked things off and got me getting festivals one after the next. I think that film gave me the confidence, and it was a great credit to build on, especially in the horror genre. It’s a cult classic, iconic horror film. So I think Glenn definitely was a person who saw me, believed in me, and believed that I’d bring Joey Brenner to life — this goofy, affable, dorky 21-year-old. And we had a blast shooting it.
Yitzi: So Drew, you have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers the exciting projects you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on or releasing in the near future?
Drew: Yeah, great. Thank you for the space to do so. You can always just say “Drew, stop talking” at this point because I could go on forever. So, first and foremost, the slasher horror thriller Bloodline Killer drops in theaters and video on demand globally on April 26th. Z so We’re very excited about that. It’s got a great cast of globally loved actors and actresses, with a great team. Vertical Entertainment is distributing it — they have an incredible roster of films. I play Michael Cole in that one.
It was announced last month at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco that I am playing Steve Rogers, aka Captain America in “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra”. I still can’t believe those words are coming out of my mouth and probably will never fully be able to say that without smiling. I’m very honored to bring this globally loved, iconic character with high moral standards and a strong compass to life. I strive to follow those values in my life, to teach them to my children, and spread them to those around me. I aspire to operate my life and lead it in the way Cap leads his. He’s got a great way of moving through the world, leading with doing the right thing. That’s coming out in 2025. I’m headed to shoot next week, so very excited about that.
Also, an important, topical, and moving piece — “The Ballad of a Hustler”. It had its US premiere at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and it’s screening at the famous TLC Chinese Theatre for the Beverly Hills Film Festival on May 4th. I’ll be there, so holler if anybody else is going. I have a couple more films in the pipeline, a couple that I’ve produced or executive produced and not acted in, coming out soon.
Yitzi: So let’s talk about Bloodline Killer. How is your character, Drew, similar and different from Michael Cole?
Drew: When I read the script, I thought, “This is me. This role obviously has nuances, but it fits me like a glove.” The struggles he has, the things he’s working through in his life, are things I can tap into and bring to light truthfully and meaningfully.
Michael is an everyman. He’s a good person who can’t get out of his own way. Life has gotten him down a bit, and he feels stuck, which leaves him unable to connect with everyone around him in the most impactful, meaningful way — especially his brother Connor and the woman of his dreams, who he continually torpedoes and pushes away, even though they love each other. He puts up emotional roadblocks preventing that from moving forward.
I think the whole journey in this film, and knock on wood, the franchise, is that he’s got demons to face or stay stuck, stagnant, rooted in this same place for the rest of his life.
So of course I’m similar in that I can tap into those things and have been in those times in my life. How are we different? When I’m presented with a problem now, I don’t drop back into despair. I take it head on. I like to think I am the future Michael — that’s his goal, to be in a place where he’s like, “Okay, cool, here’s the issue. Let me figure out solutions and implement them.” I’m possibly a bit more emotionally available or present than Michael, who really tends to suppress emotions.
Yitzi: I see from your IMDb page that you’re involved in some of the most famous, beloved video games like Horizon Forbidden West, Red Dead Redemption, and Grand Theft Auto. I guess from your insider perspective, do you have an inkling as to why every one of those games became such amazing hits? You may not have known before you joined the project, but they became among the best-selling games of all time. Do you have any insights for somebody looking to emulate that success?
Drew: It’s a great question. Character development, very detailed and thorough writing and rewriting, whether done at the beginning or throughout, and story tracking. Easter eggs that are through-lines in the game. Not speaking about myself, but finding really talented people to bring these humans to life — the authentic touch they find for these games is incredible.
And obviously, in terms of Red Dead and Grand Theft Auto V, it’s the open world aspect. There’s something very enjoyable for many gamers about being in control of where they go, how the game operates, and what they do next. It’s choose-your-own-adventure in its greatest form.
I mean, obviously the worlds they’ve created in all three of those games are so unique, thoroughly fleshed out, and realistic for what they are. I think that’s probably another very appealing thing — for people to be transported so fully into those worlds.
Yitzi: This is our signature question. So you’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, and knowing what you know now, could you share for readers five things you wish someone told you when you first started acting?
Drew: Yeah, I may veer into advice. Train. Your craft; it’s a muscle that atrophies without training. Find and surround yourself with people who inspire you to dig deeper, champion you to be yourself, and push the boundaries of what you’re capable of. Create your own content. Use your voice. No one has your unique set of life experiences and skills, so let us into a story through your authentic lens. After all, you’ve got a professional camera in your pocket at all times. Be kind, be generous, be supportive of one another. Nothing gets made without every single person, from the craft services PA up to the studio exec, and we’re all just people. Let’s be honest, we’re playing make-believe for a living. I always have to remind myself of that when there are 500 plates up in the air, and I’m trying to spin them.
I’m passionate about acting, but equally passionate about turning your art into a business. This is a business after all. You are the CEO of your business and your brand. Learn to make money, manage your money, and invest it back into your career. We’re not just artists; I’m a business person, a Swiss army knife. I’m on the producing side, running my own business, branching out and creating other businesses, writing, collaborating. We have to be completely and utterly multifaceted or how do we expect to survive? We’re freelancers. I talk a lot about multiple revenue streams, doing everything in every single sector, every single medium in the entertainment industry: voiceover, video games, film, TV, Broadway, off-Broadway, stage around the country, narration, audiobooks, animation, modeling, fit modeling. All of these are revenue streams that lead to money, which leads to you being able to create your own content.
Yitzi: Can you share with our readers some of the self-care routines that you use to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Drew: Sure, I can. Running 25 miles a week, hitting the gym. I put in a pull-up bar and punching bag at my house, so calisthenics — push-ups, planks, burpees, hitting the bag, whatever you can do. Get the heart rate going. Nothing beats that for me; not just physically, not just physiologically, but for my mind, I need those endorphins; those are my preferred natural, homeopathic, already-in-my-body drug.
Meditation and gratitude journal every day. I don’t do it every day, I try to. Let’s just try. Same with the workouts. I’ve recently gotten into cold plunges, ice baths. Again, really great for mental state, anxiety, depression. Tons of research showing three minutes in an ice bath is a very homeopathic way to release your body’s natural drugs.
And one thing I wanted to put on that list of five, but I think it fits here as well, is to have a life and enjoy your life. Remember that your job as an actor is to bring the lives of others to life. And we mustn’t forget that you have one of those as well — a life. Again, imperfectly. I’m not perfect at doing that. I’m very focused on my career, but we must remember that. I’m going to read this and remember that myself.
This may be too morbid, but I know for 100% fact that when I am on my deathbed, I will not be thinking about the jobs and the credits. I’ll be thinking about the people that I loved and who loved me throughout my entire life. So if we can think about that, then we know how to proceed for the rest of today.
Yitzi: Drew because of your amazing work and the platform that you’ve built. You’re a person of enormous influence, and people take your words very seriously. If you could spread an idea or inspire movements that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Drew: I’m a little choked up here. I’m choked up because this is what we try to teach our children daily. It’s a great responsibility to have children because you know they will then impact people in their lives. And how they impact those people will be a direct reflection of how I’ve taught them to impact others. Bringing generosity and kindness to strangers. It’s free and easy. And you know what? It makes you feel better when you do that to other people. What I’ve learned in my life is that through discipline, creating routines and habits, it transforms how I operate. It becomes second nature. So, I try to move through the world that way, because if I can bring an ounce of joy to some person, I’ve won my day. And again, just like I said with my daughters, that will reflect from them to the next person in their life. Think about that compounding effect. It’s very idyllic, but it’s a simple change we can all make. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll increase the goodness going out into the world right now. That’s my message.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they support your work in any way? How can they purchase whatever there is to support your work? And how can they watch your content? How can they watch your movies and films?
Drew: For sure. We put pretty much everything out on Instagram, @drewmoerlein and www.drewmoerlein.com.
Everything gets dropped on Instagram. I’ll give updates on all things coming through.
You’ll also see me chop wood and build a chicken coop. No, I am not kidding.
Yitzi: Well, Drew, it’s been such a delight and pleasure to talk to you and meet you. I wish you continued success and blessings. I know you’re going to be a superstar one day. I hope we can do this again next year.
Drew: Yitzi, nothing would bring me more joy than to do this with you again and again. I love your energy. Thank you for bringing positivity in your publication and personal energy. I am honored to be here today with you. Thank you so much.
Yitzi: You are so kind, Drew. It’s been a pleasure.
Actor & Producer Drew Moerlein On The Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Carer In… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.