Actor Martin Harris was in a cabin in the Paraguayan jungle, miles from reliable cellular service, when a life-changing email finally reached him. While most of the SAG-AFTRA cast was walking the picket lines during the strike, Harris was saying “yes” to her role in General Hospital from the middle of a rainforest, hoping the message would be sent before the signal disappeared. This moment perfectly reflects his career: international, unconventional and fueled by instinct.
For his General Hospital role, Harris explained,
“I would say General Hospital It’s an interesting story because it happened during the strike when we just weren’t working. Most of us SAG-AFTRA actors were on the picket lines protesting. And then I took two weeks off, I finally had time for myself and I decided to go on vacation to Paraguay. I was with a friend of mine who I was dating at the time. We were in the middle of the jungle in a small cabin when I received an email. And literally I couldn’t access my emails for a very short time because the reception was so bad.
He remembers,
“We were in the middle of the jungle in Paraguay and I received the message that I had received an offer from my agent to General Hospital. Would I accept this? And of course I said yes, but it didn’t come to fruition. So I was a little nervous that they couldn’t confirm it. But luckily it came to fruition. I came back from Paraguay and shot it the following week. So it was a pretty interesting story from an acting perspective.
A former sports journalist turned multilingual actor, Harris has built a Hollywood journey defined by risk, reinvention and a rare ability to move seamlessly between cultures, languages and worlds. As a writer for Social Lifestyle Magazineit’s such an honor to share my exclusive interview with Martin Harris, known for his roles in iconic films such as Superman and more.
During our conversation, Harris shared the personal experiences that led him to the world of theater and explained how those moments shaped his journey. His love of theater and art reveals striking parallels, as these two worlds have long been intertwined for him. A notable art collector, Harris reflected on the connection between the art world and the acting profession, sharing:
“I would say the best story is probably the fact that when I was in Paraguay, I went to the local museum with the girl I was dating and she showed me some works by Riccardo Migliorisi. I went home and started checking online. influential people of Paraguay. Thanks to her, I was able to meet the greatest show business directors of this part of South America. And it is possible that I will make a film with one of them in the years to come. So sometimes art and art collecting leads to acting work.
His personal art collection has a significant influence on his acting. He observes:
“Whereas with art, collecting art and going to the museum, I feel like they’re the same instrument. You know, it’s very compatible. It’s very enriching and it’s very relaxing for me to look at my art collection. I have over 30 pieces right now, and they’re all beautiful, and it makes me feel good. It makes me creative, makes me want to be a better actor and a better artist.”
Harris began his career in photojournalism, and his keen observations of the world and human connections are evident in both his journalism and his acting. When I asked him about his love for theater and art, he emphasized:
“Yeah, like I said, it’s funny because I played sports. I was a sports writer and sportscaster before I got into acting, and I felt like I was trying to keep that going for quite a while before I dove completely into acting in 2020. I was still going to the games. I was still reporting on the side. I wrote two books about basketball, but I always felt like there was an inner conflict between the two, you know, it just doesn’t seem compatible.”
Noted for his ability to speak more than 13 languages, Harris also celebrates multiculturalism in Hollywood and on television. When I asked him why multiculturalism was important in his acting journey, he admitted:
“Well, it’s extremely important. I’ve found a niche for myself. I think when I first came here, I was wondering what is my chance here to stand out? And speaking languages was just that. Instead of focusing on learning an American or British accent, which I’ll still do someday down the road… I’m thinking about learning a Southern accent in a year or two when I’m older because I feel like my look will go in that direction.”
He also shared,
“But I felt like languages and spoken languages would get me into high-level jobs, and that’s what happened. I work on many shows and films speaking different languages. Even in SupermanI speak Croatian, as I did in The hunt. In AmsterdamI spoke German. In The gray manI spoke Czech. In Red noticeI spoke Russian. In The Marvelous Mrs. MaiselI spoke Polish. In Real liesI spoke Slovenian. In ScorpioI spoke Danish. I spoke German several times. I spoke Dutch in a film. So yes, it’s definitely something I can do, and it’s a valuable asset.
Before being an actor and still a photojournalist, Martin looks back on this fascinating transition from writer to actor by feeling and interestingly stating:
“I should never have been a sports writer. That happened right after my heavy metal band broke up, when I was 17 or 18. Then I tried to support myself by writing about music and rock. I just couldn’t make enough money. And I got into sports writing, and then I had a pretty quick and big career in that field, and I felt comfortable. But it was always temporary for me, you know?
Why did Martin feel compelled to become an actor? He followed his intuition and his heart. Part of his story in his decision to become an actor was influenced by mentorship from legends like Kobe Bryant. Martin elaborated and shared with me the making of this decision:
“In 2007, I came to Los Angeles to do a story and I talked to Kobe Bryant, who I knew at the time. He was a distant friend and mentor of mine, who I’d known for nine years. And I asked him, ‘What should I do?’ Should I stick with what I have and play it safe in life, or should I go crazy, move to Los Angeles and go to acting school? And he said: what does your heart tell you? I said, my heart tells me to try. He said, so always follow your heart. And that’s what I did.
Martin reflected on his notable roles on set. When he mentioned his time on Young Sheldonhe remembers with fondness:
“I mean, Young Sheldon It was a lot of fun because I worked with this kid who plays young Sheldon, and he was so much fun working with him. Extremely intelligent. We spoke Russian on set because his grandmother, I think, is Russian. And on stage, we spoke German. We spoke three different languages throughout the day, and it was both quite challenging and fun.
He also looks back on a funny moment involving actor LL Cool J. He recalls:
“Soon NCIS: THE—I played the bad guy and got shot by LL Cool J. He didn’t kill me; he just shot me. Four years later I went to Hawaii to film NCIS: Hawaii. We didn’t do a scene together, but he was there when I finished mine and he was about to go on set, so we had a short reunion. I told him that we had worked together on NCIS: THEand he said to me: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, now I remember.” I told him, “You shot me. He said, “You’re welcome, but you didn’t kill me.” » Then he added: “Like I said, you’re welcome. » It was a fun little moment.
He also added: “Too bad this is the last episode of NCIS: Hawaiibecause I was hoping to have a recurring role. Still, it was a really cool scene. I loved working in Hawaii and fell in love with Honolulu and its people. I hope I come back. I would love to work there again. What an incredible place.
On the set of SupermanMartin shares incredible memories. He expressed what it was like to work with big, well-known actors such as Zlatko Burić and Isabella Merced. He shared:
“So, mainly, with Zlatko Burić and Isabella Merced. We actually spent a lot of time together, the three of us. Those days in Atlanta, we would have lunch together and joke and talk about theater, talk about everything from art in South America to sound therapy. And Isabella Merced is such a wonderful person. I mean, what a great actress and what a phenomenal human being, with a huge heart. I hope to work with again her. She’s so fun to be around and such a wonderful person. Same with Zlatko.
Martin continued and shared,
“With Zlatko, we talked a lot about Polish cinema of the 70s and 80s, especially on the second day between takes, the scene where he is taken by the Hulk girl and killed. Also, when we did that stunt, it took the longest time of the whole shoot. That’s when we talked the most about other things, because on the first day we went through all the conference and office scenes and started the war scene. It was very fast and “We were very energetic and we were going very fast. So we didn’t have a lot of time to really discuss anything other than what we were doing in the scenes. But the other day we talked a lot. ”
Martin is an example of believing and manifesting your own dreams. He said,
“Don’t give up. I gave up my heavy metal career when I was 17 and didn’t fully immerse myself in acting until I was 43. I tried acting when I moved here in my early 30s, around 32 or 33, but it was only part-time. I was afraid to throw myself fully into it. I wasn’t confident at all. I wish I be more confident, more decisive and trust my instincts more. But at least now I have a lot of life experience that I can bring to my acting profession: stay true to what you are passionate about and make it your life.
HAS Social Lifestyle Magazinewe wish you success It’s nice, Martin, to stay on our screens for a very long time, with your incredible journey!
Thanks to Martin Harris for the fascinating interview with Social Lifestyle Magazine! Be sure to watch Martin Harris in Superman playing the leading Boravian general.
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