IN CONVERSATION WITH SAM MORGAN
interview JANA LETONJA
Multihyphenate actor, director, musician, and model Sam Morgan began making films at just 14 years old. He is best known for his role on the acclaimed series ‘Shameless’ opposite Jeremy Allen White, as well as his work in Paramount’s ‘American Woman’ alongside Alicia Silverstone. Beyond the screen, Sam has built a thriving modeling career, while continuing to develop his passion for directing, music, and activism. With several new projects on the horizon, Sam represents the new generation of multifaceted talent in Hollywood.
suit and shirt HUGO BOSS
bow tie TOM FORD
cuffs MASSIMO DUTTI
You started making films at 14. What first drew you to storytelling through film?
I think for me, as I assume is the case for most people, it was the experience of going to the cinema. There’s something so comforting about sitting in a cool, dark room and experiencing something with a group of people. I recently saw ‘Weapons’ in a tiny theater in Los Feliz and it totally electrified the audience. It was amazing. I loved it.
Who were your biggest influences early on, either filmmakers, actors, or musicians?
I think the two films that have stuck with me over the years are ‘Spirited Away’ and ‘Donnie Darko’. It’s funny because in the last project I directed, ‘Confessions of a Closeted People Pleaser’, I cast Beth Grant and Holmes Osborne who both starred in ‘Donnie Darko’, and they got to have a little reunion on our set. It was a really nice full circle moment for me.
Many people know you from ‘Shameless’. What was it like stepping into that world and working alongside Jeremy Allen White?
That was such an insanely fun job. It felt like I got to be part of a traveling circus for a second. I recurred on the final season, so the cast and crew had such an awesome rapport, and there was almost this feeling of chaos and electricity which is like gold for an actor. I wasn’t familiar with the show prior to being cast and ‘The Bear’ hadn’t started yet, so I wasn’t familiar with Jeremy or his work, but I remember Amy Adams saying that working with Leonardo DiCaprio on ‘Catch Me if You Can’ was a formative moment because it gave her the confidence that she could hold her own with that caliber of performer. Working with Jeremy and Scott Michael Campbell was definitely that feeling for me.
One of your first jobs was another John Well’s produced series “American Woman”. What was that experience like acting opposite an iconic actress like Alicia Silverstone?
Alicia is incredible. I’d never seen someone work that hard before. We shot for an entire summer, and I just remember she’d be shooting scenes from different episodes in the same day in order for the production to stay on schedule. So, we’d have a scene together in the morning and then she’d have to run to hair and make-up, and prep for something entirely different on the other side of the lot. I think one thing people may or may not know about her is that she has a really keen business sense. Her work ethic is so inspiring to me.
Is there a role you’ve played that’s had a lasting impact on you personally?
It’s funny, the character I still feel most connected to is a character named Jason from a play I did years ago, called ‘Rabbit Hole’ by David Lindsay-Abaire. When I first moved to LA after living in Berlin, I put a monologue from ‘Rabbit Hole’ on tape because I couldn’t get this one particular scene out of my head. And that tape ended up getting me my first manager, which led to my first audition, which was for ‘American Woman’. So, I guess I owe a lot to Jason.
At NYU you studied directing and eventually had the thesis film you wrote produced by John Riggi (The Four Seasons, 30 Rock). How did that collaboration come together?
That was just synchronicity in its purest form. I still can’t believe how it all worked out. John Riggi had cast me in a show while I was in my post-grad thesis year, not to mention one of my adjunct cinematography professors just so happened to be the Director of Photography. We became friends and he let me shadow him on a couple shows. He really took me under his wing for a bit. He would read drafts of the script and let me have table reads with the cast at his house. Mentor is a funny word because I think the responsibility of it freaks people out sometimes, but I would definitely consider him a mentor of mine during that season of my life.
What kinds of stories do you feel most compelled to tell as a filmmaker?
As artists, I think we are always liable to change our minds and follow whatever inspires us. My father passed away unexpectedly this summer, and we were incredibly close, so a lot of the stuff I’m working on right now is coming from that very fresh wound. I’m currently delving into gothic body horror which probably stems from spending 30 days in the ICU with my dad.
How do you balance being both in front of and behind the camera?
It’s tough. For instance, I’ve never directed myself in anything. I’ve kind of kept them separate so far. Lately, I’ve been toying with the idea of acting and directing at the same time, but being a director is like being an octopus juggling a bunch of spinning plates. You need to keep them all going and in the air, and they all need your undivided attention. Being an actor is definitely a lot of work, but I find I’m able to focus easier when that is my only job.
You are a true L.A. multi-hyphenate. How does modeling factor into all of this?
Well, luckily there is quite a bit of overlap. Also, there’s something comforting to me about working modeling jobs because it reminds me of being a student. I worked all throughout my time at NYU. On more than one occasion, I’d go to class for 4 hours then rush off to a fitting or casting or whatever. I look back on that time and wonder when the hell I was actually sleeping.
Let’s talk about music for a second. You’ve played alongside some pretty big names. What are some of your favorite experiences so far in your musical career?
I’m a part of this music collective here in LA called Nu School Jamzz and being a part of that the past couple years has been really inspiring. I get to make music with some incredible artists, like Sam Pounds and L.J. Benet, who just did Jesus Christ Superstar with Cynthia Erivo. Getting a glimpse into their individual processes at sound checks and all that has been a total masterclass for me. I’m always in awe of great live performers. It’s like magic.
You’ve been vocal about activism and supporting causes you’re passionate about. What drives that side of your work?
I’m a huge supporter of Save the Children, UNICEF, and Doctors Without Borders. Activism can be tricky, especially in the public eye, because I think there’s a lot of room for pageantry and hollow or misleading initiatives. But these organizations I hold in very high regard and do my best to promote and support them wherever I can.
What can you share with us about your many upcoming projects?
I have a couple projects I’m really excited about coming up. One is a horror film called ‘The Red Mask’ that should be out later this year, as well as a rom-com directed by Simeon Hu about a hitman who swaps bodies with a woman he accidentally hits with his car.
CREDITS
photography DIMITRI POLLALIS
