I've been wanting to do an interview with Ryan Donowho for quite sometime. Ever since I saw him in The Pacific and Eddy, I wanted to know more about him. Ryan is such a talented and sensitive actor that I started to watch his previous films- Imaginary Heroes, A Home at the End of the World and The Favor and was really impressed. He was quite good in the Colin Farrel Movie (A Home at the End of the World) even though it was only a short role. He was equally awesome as Emile Hirsch's friend in Imaginary Heroes. Ryan also did a stint at the TV series, The O.C. and people seem to like him a lot.

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I hope to stay fairly under the radar. I just want to do work that I can be proud of and make people feel something profound," says Ryan.

But movielovers would surely want to keep him on the spotlight! Here's our interview with the young and talented Ryan Donowho.

Interview by Jed Medina, exclusive for The Movie-Fanatic

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The Pacific and Eddy is one movie that has successfully connected emotionally with its viewers. After having watched it months ago, it has this lingering effect, perhaps the main reason is that you're in it and you've done such an amazing job playing the title role. Tell us; how you become attached to the project and let us know how you prepared for the role.

Matt, the director, contacted me through my old band. I took a meeting with him and decided I had to do the project due to the content. Matt was also very open to exploring the different ways Eddy might think about his life & the ones around him. It was working everyday and night on the script with Matt as we were shooting that made it so special to me.

It took a lot of guts to portray Eddy and you were able to deliver, showing different emotions in the process, it must be one serious character study on your part. Tell us, what are some of your most memorable experiences so far in this film?

There were so many memorable experiences... I would have to say everyday we shot with Nikki Sudden was a day to remember. He was an inspirational and intense human being. I'm not sure if I could pick a specific instance, I think I remember more things that happened day by day on this film then any other I've done. Working with Mark Gregg on our scenes the night before, spending days with Susan coming up with ideas, or writing with Matt over lunch, every part of this project was very memorable to me.

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The movie is about relationships and loss and of self-discovery. You mentioned that this movie is quite special to you. Would you like to elaborate?

The project was and is special to me for many reasons. For one just how involved I was in the creative process. For another I was dating Susan Highsmith before we started the project and during so it was nice working with someone I was seeing, and last I was fortunate enough to work to two amazing people on their first film before their untimely passing, and for that I feel truly blessed.

See trailer of the movie The Pacific and Eddy, courtesy of youtube:

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That's some serious questions for starters! LOL Well, let us tackle something a bit lighter. You're quite famous being a drummer, and that many people have mentioned how they love your gigs in Manhattan. How did you come up with this idea? How long have you've been playing the drums?

Any chance you might be playing in another band soon?

I have played drums since I was a child. I had played for dance classes and festivals and pretty much where ever I could in Texas growing up. But it was not until I was 17 that I got my first big gig. I was cast as the drummer for a musical in Aruba that ran for three months. It was one night in Aruba I decided I had to leave Houston & pursue my art somewhere with a few more options.

After saving a little money working at a coffee shop upon my return, six months after leaving for Aruba I was in a Uhaul driving to New York with my good friend Flip Oshman. I had never been, but my plan was to take my drums to Times Square and see if I could sustain New York life through the art of music. I ended up meeting some amazing players who showed me the ropes.

I am currently working on my own album/band and should have it out this year.

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One of Ryan's most recent films, Cook County, is another showcase for the young actor's talents. See movie trailer courtesy of youtube:

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There were some comments at the IMDb forum that you're one cool guy and that you're nice in person. How do you entertain/accommodate fans?

Well, I'm really bad at using the Internet, so I'm not sure if I have accommodated everyone who has taken the time to write me. But I always try, I think if I can brighten someone’s day by taking a picture or signing something then why not.

Many of the young actors in Hollywood have been subjected to too much pressure- media speculations, intrigues and the likes, plus the usual and familiar invasion of privacy from the paparazzi. In your case, how did you manage to maintain a certain sense of privacy and normalcy in your life?

As far as privacy and normalcy, I am in New York, and if there is anyplace in the world people can get lost, it's here.

What's a typical day for you? If you have no shooting and other commitments, how do you spend the day? What's a 'day in a life' for Ryan Donowho?

A day in the life is me sitting at my computer making music. That's pretty much all I do now. On any day I have off its music all day, rent a movie at night. I'm kind of a homebody.

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As Johnny Harper in the O.C., you have attracted a lot of fans; tell us how's the experience playing on TV? If given the chance to play another interesting and challenging role, would you accept it?

I enjoyed my time on the show very much; I think any actor can learn from working on TV. But it all depends on the project & my gut feeling about doing it, I follow my instincts in whatever I do.

What would be your dream role, if ever there is one? Are there any filmmakers you would love to be working with?

There are a lot people I would love to work with. As far as dream role, I don't think there is just one. That's the beauty of acting to me; I want to experience it all. I would never take a project if I didn't think I could bring something to it, which was specific to me.

Therefore, any and every role I do is my dream role.

Two other roles we find you amazing are in Imaginary Heroes and in The Favor. As Kyle Dwyer in Heroes, you played quite a challenging role opposite Emile Hirsch. How was it playing Kyle and working together with Emile, who happens to be your co-star in another movie, The Mudge Boy. In The Favor, Johnny is quite a mixed up character. There were lots of funny and serious scenes there! You really wreak havoc into Frank Wood’s character! Which role do you find more challenging and which is more fun?

As far as which was more challenging I could not say. But I consider Emile a good friend & we had a lot of fun shooting I. Heroes. I think Kyle definitely had more fun just living then Johnny from the Favor ever did. Kyle enjoyed life to the fullest, where as Johnny had it pretty ruff from the start.

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Music seems to be the most favored form of expression for a number of young actors. What sort of music do you like the most? Any favorite artists and influences? Would love to know what’s in your iPod right now?

Well, I bought the biggest iPod they make, so I have about 1,200 artists. But one of my favorites is a composer named Amon Tobin, also Al Green is one of my all time favorites, & I've been playing "Shape of My Heart" by Sting a lot the past few weeks. I'm kind of all over the place as far as my musical taste. One week it's Buddy Holly & the next it's Bun B.

Who would be some of the people that influenced you the most and has inspired you?

My brother Matthew is the most inspirational person to me. As clichéd as it may sound, It's him & the rest of my family that keep me going. I could name a huge list of actors & musicians that influence me, but it's my blood that matters most.

Finally, what would be some of your future roles and musical gigs? Any last word for your fans?

I just finished a comedy that will be released this year, & have some other things in the works that I'm not ready to discuss just yet... but soon.

To all my fans, thank you for all your love & support it truly means a lot to me. - - - Ryan Donowho.

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Future Projects: Ryan has 3 'in the works' films for this year and 2009. Aside from Cook County, he is also cast in Rock On, a drama-comedy from director Todd Graff and as the lead in Prime of Your Life from director Trac Minh Vu.

Critical Praises for Cook County: Definitely one of Ryan's best movie roles so far, Cook County got some rave reviews among them are:

Mark Bell @Film Threat:

"Cook County" is a welcome change to the drug culture film genre, a film that is matter-of-fact in its portrayal, charismatic in its character study and generally lacking in that overwhelming decay and dread that permeates throughout films like "Requiem for a Dream." This is not to say that the film doesn't have its gruesome moments; the final ten minutes are particularly rough. Instead of beating you over the head with the gloom, however, "Cook County" just lets the film play, the drugs run their course and the outcome sneak up on you. Well, as much as they can because, as we all know, "drugs are bad." [ read more ]

Another fine review from our friend, Larry Richman:

Donowho is the perfect puppy dog who gets caught between a rock and a hard place in challenging his cousin for the safety of the girl. His work has always impressed me and this is by far his most challenging role, and he nails it. As intrigue creeps in the story becomes absolutely unpredictable. Writer/director David Pomes has crafted a masterful work which kept me guessing right until the end.

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tMF wishes to thank Ryan for his time. More of Ryan Donowho @ FOKUS.

[ tMf spotlight on Ryan ] [ Ryan Donowho @IMDb ] [ Ryan @Myspace ]

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Comments (3)

More questions pls!

Can we ask more questions, esp. his new film Cook County, i find it to be quite heavy- it must be a difficult role for Ryan!

Jess D. , August 14, 2008

i got 3 questions!!!!

who are his favorite actresses?

3 favorite movies of all time, and why?

tell us more about the new album and the band!!!

sheryl , August 14, 2008

questions for Ryan!

any chance he'll appear in a big-budget movie and what would be his thoughts about it?

what happened with Pagoda, his previous band, with another actor Michael Pitt? did something wrong happened?

Tell us more about your future movies plz!

Jennalyn , August 19, 2008

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