Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with For All Mankind’s Chris Agos

Chris Agos’ career is reaching new heights as he gets ready for lift off as legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the must-see Apple TV+ series For All Mankind. Created by Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert, the sci-fi drama explores a world where the global space race never ended. It’s a project and role that Chris Agos knew he had to be a part of. Pop Culturalist spoke with Chris about discovering his passion for acting, embodying a historical figure, and how streaming platforms like Apple TV+ are changing the industry.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Chris: My path to becoming an actor is sort of convoluted. I did plenty of plays and musicals when I was young and loved doing them, but I put performing aside as I got older. In college, my plan was to attend medical school, and there was a point when I was overloaded with math and science classes plus studying for a huge med school admissions test. I needed a break and wanted to try something completely different.

So, I took a few voiceover lessons and learned how to interpret and deliver ad copy. I fell in love with it and put doctoring on hold to give voiceover a try as a career. My parents were supportive, especially when I convinced them that if I couldn’t make an adult living as a voiceover guy, I’d just go back to school.

While I was trying to establish myself as a VO guy, someone said, “Do you work on-camera, too?” and I said, “What’s that?” They handed me a brochure and said, “Here, go take this class.” So, I did. It was a commercial acting class and I loved that, too, and I was beginning to understand that it’s all connected; it’s all just storytelling. I started looking around for more skills to learn and found myself in more acting classes, which led to all kinds of fantastic opportunities. I probably worked in Chicago for ten years before thinking of myself as an actor…and no, I never became a doctor. I owe everything I’ve ever done professionally to voiceover.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Chris: No one gets very far in this business alone—there are always people behind the scenes helping move the needle. The thing is, you have to be in the right mindset so you’re available to receive what those folks are sending your way. For me, that means always working to move onward and upward, which is an idea I was taught at an early age. It helps keep me curious and looking around corners instead of settling into a comfortable rut. I’d say that’s been the biggest influence on my career so far: the willingness to take risks in the pursuit of moving forward.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Chris: That the work never ends! Honestly, no matter where you are in your career, there’s always something else to improve upon, to shoot for. Even the most prolific multi-hyphenate performers are looking for their next thing. Their goal posts just might be different than ours. Today’s actors are basically serial entrepreneurs working on the next idea that we hope will have a positive impact on our future while keeping an eye out for the one after that. When I was young, I thought the idea was to find that one big project you can ride forever. Now, I see that was never the case; it was just my perception of things as a viewer.

PC: Tell us about For All Mankind and what drew you to this project.
Chris: I love stories with alternative timelines of historical events, but we often see them played out in a way that’s dystopian—a tragedy unfolds leading to a grim alternate reality. What I like about For All Mankind is that it doesn’t go down that road. The story is more about ambition, resolve, and unity as well as what our country’s space program might have gotten from a double dose of each. Between that and the chance to play a legendary historical figure, I was all in.

PC: How did you prepare to step into Buzz’s shoes? Is the preparation different when you’re playing a real person?
Chris: Whether you’re playing a fictional character or a real person, the goal is always to serve the story being told on the page. The added challenge of playing a historical figure is to be as accurate as possible while doing it. And if that person is still around to see the result, there’s even more responsibility to grapple with. In prep to play Buzz I read every book he wrote, I read his MIT dissertation (though it was waaaaaay over my head), and I watched all of the Apollo-era films of him I could find. Mike and Denise Okuda, the show’s technical advisors, filled in the gaps in terms of the Apollo 11 mission and what the astronauts were tasked with during the flight. It was a great education.

PC: As an actor, how are streaming platforms like Apple TV+ changing the industry?
Chris: I think we’re entering a time of experimentation when it comes to the marriage of storytelling and technology. I’m excited to see what will grow out of the partnership between great storytellers like Ron Moore and great tech companies like Apple. I have to believe we’re going to see new ways of experiencing our favorite shows, which will lead to new opportunities for actors. So, it’s a very exciting time.

PC: For All Mankind will be one of the first shows that premieres on Apple TV+. Does that bring any added pressure ahead of the release?
Chris: I’m sure everyone associated with For All Mankind knows expectations are high, but I think they’re high for every show. Any project that’s taken from concept to audience requires a huge investment of money, time, and talent no matter how many eyeballs are watching or how anticipated it is. For me, personally, being a small part of the launch of Apple TV+ is quite an honor. I’ve been an Apple customer since my elementary school got a few Apple II+ computers. There’s a nostalgic connection to the company, but I’m also excited about what it will do for the future of entertainment.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Chris: Married…with Children

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Chris: Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

PC: Favorite book?
Chris: I’ve gotten sucked into Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series more than once.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Chris: Anything by Martin McDonagh

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Chris: I’m a huge fan of Seal. No one sounds like him, and he just gets keeps getting better with time.

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Chris: Mindhunter Season 2. Jack Ryan Season 2 is next.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Chris: Ryan Seacrest? People think I look like him.

PC: Hidden talent?
Chris: Knuckle cracking

To keep up with Chris, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Catch For All Mankind on Apple TV+.

Photo Credit: The Riker Brothers