Introducing Matthew Ryan Wilson; A Passionate And Tenacious Artist Making His Way Within The Artistic Community

In today’s highlight we turn our attention to a charismatic and professional actor by the name of Matthew Ryan Wilson. I was fortunate enough to ask Matthew a series of questions, here are his responses;

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

I grew up in a town in western Oregon called McMinnville and graduated from McMinnville High school. Then after not sure what my after high school future would be.. I enlisted in the navy, and dislocated my shoulder in boot camp before graduating. Then sold cars for a year, before ultimately gathering the courage to drive across the country to NYC. Went to one semester of AMDA NY, and two years of private acting training by Anthony Abeson.

What inspired you to be an artist? Early experiences worth sharing?

Hmmm... I think my earliest memory of realizing I wanted to be a performer, was when I played Rudolph in a Christmas pageant in elementary school, I was the happiest I’ve ever been. Then in highschool, I was in Footloose the musical. And I just KNEW!

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

I think it has to be when, I drove to NYC. I knew no one, and had no money when I arrived. I lived in a youth homeless shelter for two years called covenant house, while working at Starbucks and Ruby Tuesday’s in Times Square. All while going to performing arts school and getting As. It was then when I truly realized, NOTHING was EVER going to stop me from achieving my dreams.

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

I think just based on my last couple answers, the life I’ve lived and the extreme life adversities that I’ve dealt with and conquered.. Acting, has never been, nor will it ever be, just a THING I like to do. It is my calling, it is my all consuming passion. And nothing will ever get me to give up.

Do you have other interests or hobbies?

I also write, and produce. I have written and produced a 2 season webseries in nyc called The Under 5ers. And a short film here in LA in festivals right now, called 
 Just Another Summer.

Any projects you have out or or currently working on?

Just Another Summer, is a short film that we shot and edited during Covid this last year. It’s about three adopted brothers who go back every summer, to their adopted moms motel in Joshua tree, but this summer they meet someone who could change everything.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself, working on films and television, from a span of fun, light and comedic, to dark, gritty and thought provoking. I also will be apart of producing such projects.

What advice can you give to aspiring artists/entertainers?

Figure out who you are... your essence is the FIRST thing that speaks to the camera.. once you figure that out, the roles you play will be that much more authentic, because they will be coming from YOU.

How can we follow along in your journey? How would one be able to reach you if they sought out a reading? YouTube? Social media? Sites?

Sure!!! I’m a BIG Instagram user... I post ALOT of things that I’m doing or apart of, and you can also reach me there. My Instagram is @matthew_ryan_wilson