With his new movie Holiday recently premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, and other films releasing soon, Andrew Bowen has been very busy! Andrew will soon be seen playing the role of Jack in the feature film PO. He has also recently finished work on Jennifer Garner’s Tribes of Palos Verdes, and will be seen in the upcoming comedy All For Nikki.
Andrew has also several television credits include Starz’ “Magic City,” “Mad TV,” “Criminal Minds,” and “Leverage.” He has also lent his voice to several video games including the voice of Johnny Cage in WB’s hit MORTAL KOMBAT X, Josh Birk/NyteBlayde in the SAINT’S ROW series and Doc in the STAR WAR: THE OLD REPUBLIC.
Check out our interview with Andrew!
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your role as Jack in PO?
Andrew Bowen: I can’t talk details about Jack just yet, I promised John Asher (the director) that I wouldn’t give too much away cause it’s a big part of the films narrative and audiences deserve to get to experience it. When you see the movie you’ll understand. But Jack plays an important role in Po’s journey and imagination in the film. I will say it was one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my entire career.
upfrontNY: How was this film unique to other films you have been a part of?
Andrew Bowen: Well, first off it Po deals with a subject matter that is very close to my heart. My eldest son has Autism, he was diagnosed when he was almost 4. It was really an honor to be a part of a film that shows, so authentically and honestly, the challenges (and wonders) we parents face raising children in the spectrum. I balled my eyes out when I read the script cause it was so good. It mirrored so many of the experiences my wife and I have been through raising our son. I’m incredibly proud of the film and think it’s gonna blow audiences away and do some good for the ASD community. John also wrote the role of Jack specifically for me. It’s not often you get to play five different incarnations of the same character. It was something I doubt I’ll ever have the opportunity to do again in one film so – Po will always hold a very special place in my heart.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your new movie Holidays?
Andrew Bowen:HOLIDAYS is this really cool, totally unique horror anthology produced by the amazing John Hegeman and Adam Egypt Mortimer that features 8 different original “holiday” themed horror segments each directed by some of the most talented directors working today: Scott Steward, Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer, Sarah Adina Smith, Gary Shore, Kevin Smith, Nicholas McCarthy, Anthony Scott Burns and Adam Egypt Mortimer. Talk about a bad-ass list right there.
I star with the awesome Lorenza Izzo in Adam’s fantastic contribution to the anthology “New Years Eve” (written by Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer who also wrote/directed the “Valentine’s Day” segment and produced by Georg Kallert and Peter Nieves). NYE is this creepy, explosive and darkly comedic tale of two individuals who’s “not so good intentions” end up colliding in a night from hell. It’s a wonderfully twisted romp and was an absolute blast to shoot. I was given this incredible opportunity with Adam to literally (and physically) disappear into character for NYE. People that have seen the film don’t recognize I’m the same actor who played Reggie. That’s been super cool and I think a wonderful acknowledgment to all the hard work everyone put into making the movie work.
upfrontNY: Do you enjoy horror films and do you have a favorite?
Andrew Bowen: I enjoy any good film, regardless of the genre, but I think horror has produced some of the best films in cinematic history. Personally JAWS and THE SHINNING are neck-n-neck as my all time horror favorites. Brilliant films.
upfrontNY: How was your experience having this film’s world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival?
Andrew Bowen: Incredible. Kind of an out of body experience. Tribeca is so supportive of independent film and artists. They treat you so well. I’ve gotten to meet some amazing people and just feel really lucky and honored to be a part of the 2016 Tribeca family.
upfrontNY: Do you have any must see spots in New York City when visiting and what do you love most about being in NYC?
Andrew Bowen: Well I lived on East 81st Street when I came out from Vermont to pursue my acting career at 18 – so seeing the old neighborhood is always a must. I always try to see a show (saw School Of Rock with my Mom this time and it was GREAT). Just being in NYC is energizing. There really is no city like it on earth – so much energy flowing through it all the time. Incredible people. I just try to soak up as much of that juice as I can before I have to leave.
upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite television show that you have filmed? Is there one show that you would love to be on ?
Andrew Bowen: That’s tough. Any acting job I get paid for is a favorite. I’ve been lucky to work on a lot. MAGIC CITY was pretty incredible, RENO 911! LEVERAGE was definitely a highlight. Charles was a wonderfully complex character to play and fantastically written by Geoffrey Thorne. As for ONE show I would love to work on? There are too many great show runners out there today… that is so hard. Wielding a sword is still on my bucket list so GAME OF THRONES would be lottery level awesome. OUTLANDER… Tobias Menzies is so phenomenal on that show. DARE DEVIL!… see I knew this would happen. I’ll just stop now.
upfrontNY: When you are not acting, what do you like to do?
Andrew Bowen: Drinking wine with my wife is pretty stellar. I never refuse an opportunity to hit a dance floor. I know this probably sounds sappy but I have three teenage kids, so spending as much time with them before they venture off to carve their own paths in the real world is pretty awesome.
upfrontNY: What are you looking forward to most for the rest of this year?
Andrew Bowen: CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR!!! I held my nerd back as long as I could, LOL. Hopefully staying healthy, happy, supporting my friends, continuing to show up and do the best work I can.
Congratulations with everything I hope to see in the movies soon 🐾🐾❤️