Check out our interview with “The Goldbergs” actor Nathan Kendall who is best known for his work on the popular YouTube series Dhar Mann.
An actor and model since the age of 4, Nathan is a 3rd degree Blackbelt. During his years in competitive Taekwondo he was ranked top 10 in the world with a 4th place finish in the world championships in 2016. As a military child, Nathan supports military organizations when he can as well as working at his local food bank packing boxes for the needy.
Follow Nathan on IG @Nathan.Kendall05 and TikTok @NateNinja05
Hi Nathan, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! My name is Nathan, I am 17 years old, I am an Actor and a Martial Artist.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I would describe myself as unpredictable, funny, and loyal
How did you get started into acting?
My mom actually helped me get into acting, I started acting when I was very little, around 4 years old. Then I took a long break because our life was just too crazy. At the time my dad was active duty in the military and he was gone for 6 to 8 months at a time, it got really hard on my mom to keep me in classes and auditions. After the break I started acting again when I was 13 years old and have been doing it ever since. I still don’t know how I got “into” it, my mom works her magic and I just know how to act on camera.
How has this changed your life?
This has changed my life and lifestyle by a lot. Most teenagers have a typical job at McDonalds or work in the family business. But saying that you work as a teen actor isn’t something you hear everyday. I work all hours, meaning I miss school for acting and I get to meet the coolest people. I remember one time working on a set I got to meet Paul Rudd, AKA Ant Man. I kinda fangirled when I saw him and it was super cool being face to face with someone I see on the big screen all the time.
What is the best and worst part of being an actor?
Besides getting paid for doing what I love, I would say the best part of being an actor is THE CRAFTY. Crafty is a snack area on set and I always love the crafty on set. It’s the first thing I always run towards because I love eating so it’s a match made in heaven. The worst thing about being an actor though is missing school. I luck out because my school doesn’t mind me missing school as much but playing catch up is really tough and can become very overwhelming sometimes.
How do you prepare for a role?
I like to become in the mindset of whoever I’m playing, If my character is about to die then I will practice different ways of dying for my character before I go and film.
Tell us about your work in “The Goldbergs?”
Working on “The Goldbergs” was amazing! It was one of those days I had no clue what to expect from the scene. Like, of course I knew what the scene was about, but I was walking onto set then BAM, someone says here’s a stick now smash fruit. I was super psyched and by the end of the day I got paid to smash and be covered in fruit. The director was super supportive and had this crazy energy that after every take he was yelling and screaming in a good way about our performances.
And about the very popular YouTube series Dhar Mann?
While working on Dhar Mann I have also had so many great experiences. I’ve met so many amazing people and made so many great friends. It actually was one of my first jobs I’ve ever done since coming back from my break. Dhar Mann was also my first lead speaking role, so it will always hold some great memories.
Let’s talk about your film “Gacy?”
This is an amazing film that I am so happy to have been a part of. The director, and crew, and everyone involved are really dedicated people that truly love what they do. Michael Feifer was so great, even when I messed up my lines! Gacy is very different from any other type of work I’ve done, so much more intense, and the other cast helped me a lot to match their intensity. It is also a really great day when you get to work with your friends, and I’m very very grateful to have been included.
What other projects have you been part of?
There’s an unreleased Pilot I was able to shoot with Derek Waters. I really hope that it gets picked up somewhere, somehow, because it was also one of my favorite shoots. I was working directly with Derek to perform martial arts forms in a “Camp” type setting. He was so supportive, and it was another amazing crew of people who had a passion for what they were creating. I’ve also worked on projects like “The Fablemans” with Stephen Spielberg, and “Me Time” as Mark Wahlberg’s photo double. I’ve been very fortunate to have some super cool experiences.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I am very interested in doing stunt acting. The sound of jumping off houses and doing flips is my type of job. As I’ve progressed in my career, I’ve also been lucky to meet some of the stunt coordinators, and once I’m 18 it’s a path I would like to explore.
If you weren’t acting, what would you be up to right now?
If I wasn’t acting right now I think I would be at a fast food restaurant taking your order for income and living another teenage childhood like everyone else. There’s nothing wrong with that for sure!
Which fictional character would be the most exciting to meet in real life?
I think I would be most excited to meet a character named Karma, He is from an anime called “Assassination Classroom”. I would want to meet him because throughout the anime he goes and proves that he isn’t some nobody that everyone thought he was. He is also just really cool.
Can you name 3 actors/actresses you would love to work with?
Just to name 3, I would absolutely love to work with Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, and Peyton Lee
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of work is being able to see yourself on the big screen. I personally don’t like seeing myself on the screen, but it’s really cool when people come up to me and say “hey, are you that guy” when they’ve seen me on tv before is the best.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
The best advice I can give to newer actors is just be patient and expect the unexpected while on set. You could work long hours, schedules shift a lot, scenes move around a lot, you just never know. Also don’t be discouraged on the roller coaster of auditions, sometimes I go weeks without an audition then have like 5 in one week. And I definitely don’t book everything I audition for, so just stay positive.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
I would say the best lesson I’ve learned is to always be ready and be professional. And it doesn’t hurt to be over-prepared! My mom always plans for everything and I super appreciate it.
How would your best friend describe you?
I think they would describe me as funny, loyal and weird for sure.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
If I were a book the title would be “There was a Duck on a Boat in the Sky”. Why? Because I’m the duck, in a place where I shouldn’t be headed for the stars. Or maybe because It was the first thing that came to mind, who knows?
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Honestly I don’t know, I don’t really read books-but it’s because I’m dyslexic and reading can be very difficult for me. There are some great audio books or podcasts though, but I haven’t checked anything out like that yet.
What’s next for Nathan Kendall in 2023?
Well I don’t know what’s next but I know what I hope for. I hope to continue with acting and move off to college to study mechanical engineering. I just accepted my offer to go to California State University Fullerton, GO TITANS!
What is your favorite healthy food?
My favorite healthy food is absolutely salad. It is the best because you can always add different things to it to change up the flavors.
And your favorite cheat food?
Super easy, Mac n Cheese all the way. You can ask anyone, No matter where we go-if they have I’m getting it. 5 star restaurant? Mac n Cheese please.
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is most likely different than everyone else, I say whatever you do that makes you warm inside and smile. Whether that be SkyDiving or Playing games, that’s how I would define happiness.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Vincent van Gogh because even though I never understood painting too well, his work always gave some sort of meaning to everyone and was always super pretty. I have a super oversized sweatshirt of a Van Gogh painting, it’s one of my favorites to wear.
Best advice ever given?
The best advice I have been given is to learn when to let go and not worry about what other people think of you. Focus on yourself then others.
Do you support any charity?
I do! I volunteer at my local food share by helping packaging up care packages that are delivered to people experiencing food insecurity. It really can happen to anyone, and no one should ever be afraid to ask for help.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I see myself either working as a successful actor, walking more red carpets and being on TV. Or I see myself working as an engineer making robots following my other passions. Or… maybe both!
Favorite song? Why?
My favorite song right now is “Hill I Will Die On” by Alec Benjamin because It talks about how everyone has their own fights to fight and how different some are to others.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media has its ups and its downs- It’s good to have entertainment in moderation and help stay updated. But too much could definitely affect you. I am one that scrolls TikTok for hours, watching videos. Or Instagram keeping up with my friends. But sometimes I get sucked in, and don’t realize 5 hours have passed and I still have homework to do. So be careful online and also don’t believe everything you see online
Where can we follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram @Nathan.Kendall05 and on TikTok @NateNinja05
Book: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
Quote: “Go and do great things” – My dad
Movie: Wall-E
Tv Series: The Rookie
Favorite Food: Mac N Cheese
Travel Destination: Japan
Sports Team: The Dolphins
Photo Credits: Ashley Roberts
