ABOUT THIS EPISODE
*FULL EPISODE AVAILABLE ON PATREON!*
In this episode, we sit down with the extraordinary John Ortiz — an award-winning actor, producer, and co-founder of New York’s LAByrinth Theater Company.
Across three decades, John has built one of the most respected and quietly powerful careers in film, television, and theater — working with directors like Brian De Palma, Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann, Ridley Scott, David O. Russell and Cord Jefferson and collaborating for years with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman to nurture one of New York’s most vital artistic communities.
In our conversation, we explore:
Lessons from legends — what John learned on set from some of cinema’s greatest directors.
Preparation as liberation — how discipline, rehearsal, and deep study create freedom in performance.
Crying with Philip Seymour Hoffman — the art of vulnerability, trust, and creative partnership.
Leadership on set — what it means to be number one on the call sheet and set the tone for a production.
The importance of time — how patience, presence, and longevity shape an artist’s evolution.
John speaks with humility, intensity, and a rare kind of clarity about the craft — revealing how art, discipline, and humanity intersect in every great performance.
Whether you’re an actor searching for truth in your work or a filmmaker looking to build a better rehearsal process, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to lead with preparation, courage, and heart.
