Check out our interview with Actor and Entrepreneur Kyle Klaus.
Born and raised in Pottstown, PA, Kyle moved to New Jersey after college in 2008 to pursue his acting career and to be closer to the NYC arts scene. While doing so, he achieved great success in real estate sales and investing, becoming a millionaire by the age of 30. In 2012, he opened his first business, Prestige Properties, a real estate firm with multiple offices in New Jersey. He is also a partner and investor in various real estate developments in the area.
What is interesting about Kyle’s story is that while running successful businesses, he can also be seen on TV, on shows such as The Blacklist, Billions, Homeland, Happy! and The Last O.G., to name a few. His newest adventure is developing his YouTube channel, where he shares his expertise in acting and business, real estate, lifestyle, among other related topics.
Follow Kyle @kyleklaus
Hi Kyle, please tell us a little about you?
I grew up a small town boy with big city dreams, fascinated by movies and various movie characters. I remember I would often dress like them, walk around town, behaving like them… I remember watching Terminator 2 at an early age. The main character, John Connor, (played by Edward Furlong), had a huge impact on me. I got so inspired by him that I had to grow my hair and start dressing like him. Same with Rambo, and other characters. It just took a while to realize I could actually do that for a living, so I only started pursuing my dreams after college and haven’t stopped since.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Genuine Over-Thinking Dreamer
Who is your biggest supporter?
My mom.
Best advice ever given?
Don’t talk about it, be IT.
How did you get started into acting?
I met this amazing agent during my summer job while in college. We became friends and she showed me the ropes, helping me navigate this industry.
What is the best and worst part of being an actor?
Never knowing when or where the next job is going to come from.
Tell us about your work in popular TV shows like “The Blacklist,” “Billions,” “Homeland,” “Happy!” and “The Last O.G?”
I always feel most at home on set. Everyone is working together to make something great. I have a special thing for “Billions” since that was my first ever speaking role on primetime cable tv. It’s always something different on every set, but it’s always exciting and rewarding. Especially because you always work with some of the most talented and most well known actors, and that makes you do your best.
How do you prepare for a role?
I try to do my research and live the character in my normal life for a bit. How would this person eat breakfast? How would they take a shower and brush their teeth, etc.
What other projects have you been part of?
I had a recurring role on daytime soap One Life to Live. That was my very first professional speaking role, and I had a blast.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love playing characters that are rough around the edges but have a good heart.
Now tell us about “Prestige Properties?”
Prestige Properties is a company I founded with a friend of mine after working years as my “side hustle” as a real estate agent. I was able to hire people and teach them to do what I learned over the years.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
“Shoe Dog”, by Phil Knight – creator of Nike.
What is the key to your success?
Envision what you want. Be the hardest worker in the room, and be too stubborn to ever give up.
What are your recommendations for Real Estate during this COVID-19 pandemic and how do you see the next one or two years will look like?
People always gotta live somewhere. Real estate will hold up. There will and has been a mass movement from the city to the suburbs, but in 2 years or less it will start coming back.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
Fun and rewarding – it’s always something new and a new challenge and you are always meeting new people in acting, as well in real estate. What’s not? It can be highly stressful, and loooooooooooooong long hours; (both, on set, as well as out in the field, showing properties).
Which project is still on your bucket list?
“Law & Order SVU” – it’s a New York staple piece.
3 things you can’t leave your house without?
Keys, Cell Phone, Wallet. (And the damn mask, in these past 10 months).
What music do you like?
Rap
How’s a typical day in your life?
Wake up 4:30, Meditate/Visualize/Prayer, Drink Coffee, Work Out, Get Prepped for the Day, Work Real Estate for 3 hours, Work Acting for an hour, Lunch, Back to work/meetings/calls/emails, Pick up Daughter from Daycare 5:30 – Family til 7:30, Dinner, then back to work til 10pm. Drink a glass of wine and unwind. Sleep. Repeat.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Football, Wings, Beer.
What is next for Kyle Klaus in 2021?
I’m going to take Prestige Properties to new heights, have big projects coming with Acting. Have a script that is looking to be made into a feature film and is being shopped around right now in LA.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Grilled salmon.
And your favorite cheat food?
Sushi. (Wait, is that cheat food? If not, let’s go with the wings; lol)
Something people don’t know about you?
My great uncle was named Santa Klaus.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Hawaii with my wife.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Marlon Brando – just to have a discussion with him on life stuff.
Do you support any charities?
St. Jude – I donate half my proceeds from acting every year.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Acting in studio feature films and tv, Investing in major Real Estate Projects, being the best dad possible.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Business casual.
What do you think of Social Media?
Social media is an unnecessary evil. You definitely have to have a social presence, (either if you are an actor, or you have a business), but it can always bite your back if you said one wrong word 10 years ago. But it’s a good tool to keep in touch with people. It has definitely connected the world a bit more.
Where can we follow you?
Quote: Don’t talk about it, be about it
Song: “Right Above It” -Little Wayne
Movie: “Goodfellas”
Travel Destination: Hawaii
Sports Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Cover Photo Credit: Paulo Salud
Jeans Photo Credit: Wes Klain
