Introducing Emre Örün, A Tenacious, passionate and exceptional entertainer and athlete within the Industry

In this highlight we turn our attention to Emre Örün, an actor, model and MMA fighter. I asked Emre a series of questions, here is what we discussed:

Tell us a little about yourself, where your from, grew up, what H.S./College you attended, etc.

I was born in Istanbul, the Republic of Turkey, December 13th 1989, and moved to United States of America in November 2010.

I grew up in Istanbul, went to Highschool there and went to college in another city, “Isparta” in Turkey. I got my associate degree there from Süleyman Demirel University and also got my bachelors degree in Business Administration from Eskisehir Anadolu University. I was still at college by the time I moved to America so I had to fly back a few times to take finals and graduated in 2011.

What inspired you to be an entertainer/mma fighter? Early experiences worth sharing?

My father is a former Taekwondo. champion and he raised my brother and I. as sportsmen, in discipline and he made us love sports, martial arts. I’ve always been good at any sports I did such as soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, volleyball but when it came down to start taking martial arts classes when I was about 18–19 then I started feeling the fighter within. I was learning kickboxing/boxing from former world champions and the more I learned the more I wanted to test myself and for martial arts the place you test your knowledge,things you’ve learned or see your skill set is either on the mats, ring or cage against a real opponent. So I began my fighting career and ultimately became a kickboxing champion. I’ve won second and third places, many awards, trophies etc.

To this day, I still train, fight professionally, and teach martial arts. My father is the first person that inspired me and I was surrounded by many champions, fighters and trainers that have successful stories that helped to guide and shape my martial arts career.

Aside from my passion for fighting, ever since I was a child, I’ve always dreamed of myself as an actor. I always loved watching films and dreaming or seeing myself in them instead of a character in it and really feel like I was a part of the story I was watching. I always knew someday I will start acting and be on TV. I had a movie collection back in Turkey, I was literally spending all my pocket money to buy DVD’s and I still do it keep expanding my collection. Back in Turkey I did a few background acting gigs before I attended college but I told myself “it’s not what I want, it’s not acting I’m dreaming of”. I joined an acting school in Jacksonville, started taking private and group classes which really helped me develop my acting skills, meeting people and started finding speaking role casting calls, and ever since I’ve been busy with TV/Film, commercial acting also print/runway modeling. Living my dream.

Talk about a time where you have faced adversity/conflict and have triumphed.

Adversity/conflict is what I face mostly times especially in the ring/cage fighting, sometimes I feel like “damn he has the advantage now in this position” but then all my trainings to basically overcome adversity helps me get out of those difficult times.

Starting to live in a new country wasn’t that easy also, adaptation, learning a different culture making enough money to live a good life etc. But I’ve never felt down, give up or not enough for anything I’m facing, thanks to God I’ve always worked hard to live a good life, achieve my dreams and ready for a battle anytime.

Many times in my life I’ve faced adversity and I’ve never given up and ultimately overcome it each time. After all the adversity/conflict I’ve faced I’ve had the triumphed.

What do you believe sets you apart from other entertainers/athletes?

I’m different than any fighter or any actor I watch and I see that in my when I fight, for films when I put on a different character than who I am in reality and I like the feeling of it.

I am a busy individual. I am a professional fighter and that makes me train martial arts, so strength and conditioning trainings, watch my diet and travel for fights. On the other hand I take acting classes/workshops every now and then, travel for acting jobs. I also teach martial arts, have a regular job. People who know me or meet me usually say that they haven’t come across any other person as busy as I am. You can see my hard work shown in the projects I’ve done and in my fights and I will continue to show my hard work at anything I’m doing.

Between fighting and acting I am immersed in two different worlds which allows me to draw from experiences in both and which gives me different perspectives to draw from.

Do you have other interests or hobbies?

I like to travel, read and be more knowledgeable then the day before. I also spend time with my family, enjoy my free time and just doing nothing just relaxing at home.

Any projects you have out or or currently working on?

The most recent project is a crime drama short film entitled “Irony”. It’s about 11 min long, very nice storyline and I’m the lead in it. It can be viewed online. The production team is in pre-production for the feature length film and I signed to continue playing my character in the feature film.

I’ve had lead and supporting roles in feature and short films, tv/web series, principle roles in commercials and also I was fortunate enough to direct/produce and starred in two award winning short films that I wrote.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

I would probably retire from fighting but be still teach martial arts. Ideally though, I see myself starring in blockbusters, living an actor life along with my happy family.

What advice can you give to aspiring athletes/entertainers?

No matter what goes in the line, what difficulties you face there’s always a way to get around it and keep moving forward. Never doubt on yourself, never give up. As long as you put the work needed/required, keep pushing forward you will get to where you desire to. Just believe and work the hardest for it.

However, it is not enough just believing and hoping. God makes your dreams come true when you work hard.

How can we follow along in your journey? Social media?

I use Instagram the most which is @emrelax

Facebook: Emre Orun Actor / Model and Emre Orun Fighter

Twitter: @emreorun89

Snapchat: emreorun89

webpage: www.emreorun.com

IMDB: IMDb/EmreOrun