Most actors can typically recall the moment when they fell head over heels in love with their craft. For Ray Luis, it was in his highschool drama class as he and his classmates acted out scenes from Tennessee William’s masterpiece “A Street Car Named Desire.” Ray was reading the part of Stanley Kowalski, the dark and brutish husband at the center of this dramatic play, who grows ever more threatening and volatile after the arrival of his fragile sister-in-law (Blanche Dubois) into town. Recalling the moment, Luis smiles and says, “ It was unbelievable the rush that it gave me, playing such an intense role…it was nerve wrecking and thrilling at the same time.”
Back in 1951, Marlon Brando amazed audiences in the film adaptation of “Streetcar.” Many consider it to be Brando’s breakthrough performance, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Those who’ve seen the film, can’t forget a handsome and chiseled Brando–as magnetic as ever¬-exuding both raw sex appeal and brooding danger. That sex symbol image is similar to how one might describe Luis as well. The twenty-eight-year-old easy on the eyes model and aspiring actor from the Bronx is in town for a couple of days, to get the lay of the land before moving out here permanently in October. to pursue acting full-time. Although his love for acting was ignited in his mid-teens, Luis’s desire to pursue his dream lay dormant for several years. He explains, “My parents taught me to be sensible. As a kid growing up in the Bronx, moving to L.A. with no prospects to become an actor, was not the smart or practical thing to do.” So Luis followed the advice of his parents and got the secure 9-5 job.
Always looking for the silver lining in his experience, Luis shoots back, “Like they say, everything happens for a reason,” his voice is deep and resonant like a tenor saxophone. Luis has a street-wise edge about him but, at the same time, is very approachable, kind and non-intimidating. Photographers love him because he’s so photogenic (what a smile) and simply great fun to hang around with during long shoots. Now a little older and wiser, he recognizes that he might have gotten lost in LA at a young age–like so many lost angels do–without the support of family or friends around. Now, Luis also understands the power of discipline, focus, and dedication to make or break his success in the industry. Years ago, he proved the same commitment as he trained his body to an optimal level of fitness. Luis even studied to be a personal trainer in order to be his own best coach at the gym. Luis is taking the same approach to acting that he did to physical training; he knows that daily practice strengthens his skills. That’s why he’s been out here in LA researching what acting coaches are the best in the area. “My manager Launy, and I have interviewed 3 coaches today alone. Everything in life is about taking chances but we both agree it’s about taking calculated risks and planning ahead.” Now, I’ve got the wisdom and skills necessary to survive and thrive out here. Plus, I can also count on Launy who is my best motivator. He and my sister are both constantly encouraging me. I know I’m really lucky for that.“ I comment how it’s a tough road ahead for actors with many rejections and constant criticism along the way. Luis says, “What’s great about my past experiences is that they’ve taught me that rejection is a part of life and that it’s not personal, so I never let it get me weak. In fact, I feed off of that. If I fall, I learn from it and I just come back stronger. Critique is something you grow from and it makes you better.”
I ask Luis to pick two actors he admires most and why; he immediately mentions Antonio Banderas. “I loved his role in Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado” where he plays the mariachi vigilante. He’s the epitome of cool, isn’t he? Throughout his career, Banderas seems to own this amazing charisma but also incredible self-discipline. He was a successful actor in Spain, moved out here and conquered the US market too. Also, I admire Jennifer Lopez a great deal; she’s a fellow New Yorker, a Puerto Rican from the Bronx like me, and she keeps it real.” Much like Banderas and Lopez, Luis has the advantage of being bi-lingual, so he’s planning to pursue work in both English and Spanish-language markets. Luis has got all the makings of a real contender with all the makings to become one among the next generation of Latin-American heartthrobs.
UEM Management: call (310)836-2446 or email modelmgr@gmail.com.
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