Rising Star Greg Hill Of ‘Civil War’ On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
First, never give up.
Second, cultivate relationships; they are crucial.
Third, don’t be afraid to fail.
The fourth point is tied to failure: you cannot experience failure without success; they go hand in hand.
And the fifth, don’t be too hard on yourself.
I had the pleasure of talking to Greg Hill. Greg, a multifaceted artist from Southern California, has carved a niche in the entertainment industry through his roles in critically acclaimed films and his dedication to various artistic endeavors. Born and raised in Orange County, Hill’s early exposure to the arts was influenced by his father, a professional BMX racer, and his mother, who juggled roles as an accountant and flight attendant. His connection to the arts was further nurtured by his deep-rooted connection to films, notably influenced by the classic “East of Eden,” which resonated with him during his formative years.
Hill began his professional acting career over a decade ago but had been actively involved in acting from a much younger age. His first significant break came with the independent film “The Wolfman’s Hammer,” released in 2011. This project caught the attention of filmmaker Chris Weitz, who was instrumental in helping Hill transition to more prominent roles, including his notable performance in “Operation Finale” alongside Oscar Isaac and Sir Ben Kingsley. This role proved to be a pivotal point in Hill’s career, leading to more opportunities in both film and television.
Beyond his acting career, Hill is deeply engaged in the arts as a painter, writer, musician, and songwriter, showcasing his diverse talents across various creative fields. He lives in Corona, just outside of Los Angeles, where he runs the Artists Collective with his wife. This local business focuses on teaching art classes and empowering youth through self-expression, reflecting Hill’s belief in the transformative power of the arts.
Currently, Hill is co-starring in “Civil War,” which has climbed to the top of the American box office charts, demonstrating his continued appeal and versatility as an actor. His upcoming project includes a thriller for Sony, directed by Chris Weitz, set to release this fall, further solidifying his position in the film industry.
Off-screen, Hill is a family man, devoted to his wife and two daughters. His life philosophy — to learn and love — echoes through his professional and personal life. He often engages in introspective debates during long drives, a testament to his reflective nature and continuous quest for personal and artistic growth.
Greg Hill’s journey from a young movie enthusiast to a respected figure in the entertainment industry illustrates his dedication, versatility, and the profound impact of nurturing one’s passions. As he continues to evolve his career, Hill remains a prominent and inspirational figure in both the cinematic world and his community.
Thank you so much for joining us Greg. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share this story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Yeah, of course. I was born in Orange County. My father was a professional BMX racer and my mother was an accountant or a flight attendant at the time. I’ve lived in Southern California my whole life. From a young age, like many actors, I was drawn to the movies and felt a strong connection. Growing up, I often felt like an outsider, but watching “East of Eden” at a young age, I really understood that character. Eventually, I started making movies with friends. I’m passionate about all the arts. My wife’s an artist, and we have two daughters. We live in Corona, just outside of LA, and run a local business called the Artists Collective, where we teach art classes and try to empower the youth with self-expression. Having that outlet was huge for me; it truly saved me.
Can you share the story of how your acting career developed? What was your first big break?
Yeah, I met a guy named Brad Elmore when I was about 18, and he was 17. I was living in Central Oregon at the time. Brad wanted to be a filmmaker; he was a writer and a big cinephile. We became fast friends and always wanted to make a movie together. Years later, when I was 25 or 26, we both found ourselves back in Oregon, and Brad decided to make a movie called “The Wolf Man’s Hammer”. We posted the film on YouTube, and Chris Weitz ended up seeing it. He wanted to meet with us, which was kind of surreal. He produced our next film, and then cast me in “Operation Finale”, a big studio movie by MGM. That role got me Taft-Hartleyed, marking the start of more significant opportunities. I met my now manager during this time, who I’m incredibly grateful for, as he’s been a tremendous help navigating the industry.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing experiences and stories from your work, particularly from being on “Civil War.” Do you have any favorite stories that you can share with us, either from on set or just from the industry? Stories that kind of share what life is like?
Yeah, the first thing that comes to mind, and it probably always will, is my experience with “Operation Finale”, which was my first studio film. We were in Argentina, and I had a scene where I played a Mossad agent opposite Sir Ben Kingsley, who portrayed Adolf Eichmann. I had to strangle him in one of the scenes. At the time, I was a chain smoker, and I was so paranoid about the smell of smoke on my hands that I kept washing them every time we broke to reset. It was a scary feeling having to do that scene, but what I learned is that acting is much like a dance. It’s about being very giving with your scene partner. Sir Ben put me at ease right away, but the buildup to that scene was intense — I still have nightmares every once in a while about how fearful I was. That was an Oscar-grade experience. Everyone was very nice.
And working on “Civil War” with Alex Garland was a treat. I’ve never seen a director like him; he’s a genius. And I was really surprised at how kind and down-to-earth Kirsten Dunst was. She’s literally one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and an amazing actor. You definitely scared us in the movie. Oh, you saw the movie? That’s funny — yeah, you definitely scared them. That was the funniest line, “300 Canadian.” It’s kind of the first time you get a sense of what’s going on because they meet me first on their trip to D.C. or whatever. It sets the tone, I think.
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 that you learned from it?
Let’s see. The technical aspects of acting are something you don’t really consider when you’re just starting out, especially in smaller indie films where you’re paying your dues. I don’t have a funny story about it, but mastering things like hitting your marks, turning at the right moment, and walking while delivering lines was definitely a challenge. I tripped up quite a bit initially. It’s like this battle where you have to kind of forget about it but still keep it in your peripheral vision so you know it. As I started to work more, I began to use my voice a bit more. Initially, I was afraid to give any input on the blocking or similar aspects. I was vocal about my character, but that was about it. It was a lesson for me to not overanalyze those things because if you think too much about it, it can really mess you up.
Actually, I can think of something funny. During “Operation Finale”, there was a scene where Chris Weitz wanted me to just go through a suitcase and then exit the frame. It sounds simple, but the first time we did it, I was very green. So, after rummaging through the suitcase, he said, “Exit frame,” and I just stood there, not moving. He had to explain to me what that meant. So, I would encourage anyone, if you hear terms you’re not familiar with, don’t be afraid to ask. There’s never a stupid question, and it’s better for you to know. But that was pretty funny when it happened.
Yitzi: That’s a great lesson. We love hearing stories where someone who’s a little further ahead opens up a door or creates an opportunity that changes someone’s career. Do you have a story like that where someone did a kindness for you where they didn’t have to, and that made a long-term impact on your career?
Yes, it goes back to Chris Weitz. There were a lot of people who didn’t want me to get the role in “Operation Finale”, but Chris showed “Wolfman’s Hammer,” the film I mentioned earlier, to Oscar Isaac. Oscar liked it, and then Chris really pushed for it. From the very first time I met him, I didn’t know I’d end up working for him. But if it wasn’t for Chris, I wouldn’t have a career at all. He’s like the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. I just did a film, well, it’s going to be released later this year, called “They Listen.” Chris Weitz wrote and directed it and he cast me in that too. I’m so grateful for everything he’s done for me.
Yitzi: Let’s talk about your work. You have so much impressive work now. Can you tell us about the exciting project you’re working on now? What you recently released that we mentioned, Civil War, and where do you see yourself going from here? What’s coming up next?
Well, “They Listen,” the Blumhouse film I mentioned, is being released later this year. It deals with AI and I think it’s going to be another intense film. I’m not supposed to talk too much about it, but right now I’m doing a lot of this stuff and looking for the next job because the industry is in a weird state right now. It’s hard for a lot of people. I’m just so grateful that I have two films coming out this year and I’ve been mostly trying to enjoy my time with my family and really enjoy the experience rather than letting it drive me crazy thinking about the what-ifs and the whens and all that stuff.
Yitzi: Tell us your sales pitch for Civil War. Why should our readers watch it?
They should watch it because it’s one of the most riveting films you’ll see and it’s incredibly relevant for the times. The nation has been divided for a long time, and I think this film opens up a discussion among people with opposing views. Besides that, it’s beautifully shot. The sound design is outstanding, especially if you see it in an IMAX theater — it’s so intense. I cried a few times watching it, and normally when I watch films I’m in, they don’t affect me like that. The last sequence of the movie was the most powerful thing I’ve seen since “Children of Men.” It’s just an incredible movie — intense, beautiful, poetic, and quite cerebral. There’s a scene where they’re driving through a forest with embers floating around that moved me to tears. It’s just incredible.
Yitzi: It’s certainly not a preachy film, but there’s a lesson we could take. What lesson do you hope society takes from the motifs of the film?
I think the main lesson is that we need to weaponize empathy and remember that we’re all trying to survive together. There’s more that connects us than divides us. We’re all unique individuals, but there’s so much power in unifying and striving for love and peace. It’s sad to see so many conflicts in the world, but I hope this film brings a lot of positivity.
Yitzi: When you say “weaponize empathy,” how is that different from regular empathy?
It’s about transforming empathy into a powerful, loving, healing force that’s as impactful as a destructive force, but without the destruction. It doesn’t kill, hurt, or harm; instead, it’s contagious and effective. It’s like a weapon that can compel people towards love and peace — much like Cupid’s arrow.
Yitzi: How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Greg, with the character Pete that you play? How are you similar and how are you different?
I’m similar to Pete in that he’s a father doing the best he can under his circumstances. He’s not a bad person; he’s just making choices as best he knows how, which I think is something all of us can relate to. We’d all be tested in extreme situations and not really know how we’d react. So, in that sense, he’s very human.
What’s different is how we might respond to those circumstances. I don’t know that I would act as Pete does; I might try to run away or find some other way to cope because I’m quite sensitive and expressing my feelings is crucial for me. I might not be able to take on the roles he does because of that sensitivity.
Yitzi: That’s great. That’s a great answer. So this is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, do you have five things that you wish somebody told you then that you know now?
Five things, yes.
- First, never give up.
- Second, cultivate relationships; they are crucial.
- Third, don’t be afraid to fail.
- The fourth point is tied to failure: you cannot experience failure without success; they go hand in hand.
- And the fifth, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Yitzi: Can you share your self-care routines that you use to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Yeah, I’ve been getting into meditation, my own form of it. I like to sit quietly each day for a little while, letting everything be still, and start my day with a positive attitude. It’s easy to get caught up in your head, focusing on the negatives and what you lack, or how things could be better. But I’ve been practicing having more gratitude in my life. Since starting this more intentionally this year, I’ve noticed better relationships with my kids, my wife, and my parents. And, well, I’m really into taking baths. Salt baths, specifically. I’m not ashamed to say it — they really help me unwind.
Yitzi: This is our final aspirational question. So, Greg, because of your great work and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of great influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I think that aligns with what my wife and I are trying to achieve through our business. We aim to create a space where everyone, especially children and the youth, can come and learn how to express themselves without judgment or fear. It’s crucial for the youth because without that outlet, their lives could take very different paths. Being able to express oneself confidently and comfortably, whether it’s through art or any other passion, in a safe environment, sets a foundation for success that impacts all aspects of life and society. That’s the mission of our artists collective.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they join your artists collective? How can they purchase anything that supports your work?
We have an Instagram handle, it’s @artistscollectivedoslagos. We share updates there about what we’re currently working on and keep our followers informed. My personal handle is @GregoryJonathanHill. We frequently update these platforms, and we love to get people involved. If you’re interested, please reach out; we’re always excited to welcome new members into our community and share our journey with them.
Yitzi: So amazing, Greg. Thank you for this amazing interview and conversation. It’s really been a pleasure. I wish you continued success and blessings. I hope we can do this again next year with another huge hit on your hands.
Oh, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it.
Yitzi: It’s really my pleasure, my honor. I wish you an amazing day, my friend.
You too. Thank you. See you soon.
Rising Star Greg Hill Of ‘Civil War’ On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.