Juan Ayala
In This Episode
Interview with Bernardo Badillo a Latin performer of Mexican descent, who is starring in the upcoming Sundance film “Emily the Criminal” alongside Aubrey Plaza (‘Emily’). He portrays ‘Javier,’ ‘Emily’s’ partner in a catering company, and ultimately the catalyst for her downward spiral into the world of credit card scams.
Our Special Guest – Bernardo Badillo of ‘Emily is Criminal’
Bernardo, a Latin performer of Mexican descent, started acting at his high school in Santa Ana, California, before receiving his B.A. in theater from UCLA, followed by the master’s program at the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School in New York City. Throughout his education he trained under notable teachers such as Moctesuma Esparza, Jose Luis Valenzuela, Jacque Heim at UCLA and Ron Leibman, Barbara Poitier, and Susan Aston among others in New York.
Since returning to Los Angeles, he has steadily worked in film, television, commercials, and print. Highlights from his TV career include recurring roles on FX Network’s “Snowfall,” where he was directed by John Singleton, USA Network’s “Queen of the South” as the right-hand man of a drug kingpin and TNT’s “Animal Kingdom.” He has also guest starred in hit series such as “Dexter,” “Weeds,” “Dead To Me,” and “Insecure,” among others. Upcoming for Bernardo is a role in a new Hulu TV show titled “This Fool,” executive produced by Fred Armisen, premiering summer of 2022.
His most notable film role is in the Clint Eastwood directed Warner Bros. film “Sully” starring Tom Hanks. Bernardo trained with a Navy Seal to portray real-life NYPD scuba diver ‘Robert Rodriguez.’ Robert was on the front lines rescuing passengers from the plane once it had safely landed in the Hudson River.
Growing up, Bernardo considered himself dramatic and eccentric, participating in numerous school plays and pageants, singing and dancing. That passion turned into a true respect for the craft as a professional. He enjoys putting all the pieces of a character together from body language and speech to the emotional core, studying the script and finding clues to who the character is meant to be. As a Latin actor he is proud to be part of the turning of the tide as Hollywood expands its representation of what it means to be a Latin actor.
Outside of acting, he enjoys travelling, having gone to Brazil for the World Cup, backpacked through Spain, and even attended a traveling acting school in Italy. Growing up, books were his escape, and he passes that on by reading to children in his spare time. He is also passionate about workers’ rights and union’s protective services.
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