Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Kyle Klaus

Actor and entrepreneur Kyle Klaus knows the importance of diversifying one’s portfolio. While carving his own path as an actor, Kyle launched a successful career in real estate and founded Prestige Properties. On the acting front, Kyle has been seen in projects including The Black List, Billions, Homeland, Happy!, and The Last O.G.. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with this trailblazer about his journey in both industries and the lessons he’s learned.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Kyle: I’ve always been someone who just loved movies. Growing up, I always found myself immersed in the characters that I watched. For instance, I remember my aunt taking me to see Terminator 2 back in the day. I was probably too young to see it, but I remember the character John Connor, who was just such a cool kid and he was so important to that world. I was immersed in that character. That movie made a huge impression on me—I dressed how he dressed and that sort of thing. I did the same thing with Rambo growing up.

I always found myself doing that and I never really thought that the arts would be something that I could actually make a career out of. It wasn’t until I left my small town of Pottstown and I went to college and started hanging around the theater department that it became a possibility.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Kyle: That’s a good question. Personally, my parents. They encouraged me to do whatever I wanted to do and never really pushed me into anything; they let me discover it on my own. They always made sure that I knew whatever I chose to do would be good with them. That goes a long way as a kid when you’re trying to figure things out.

Professionally, I’ve had a lot of influences along the way. I looked up to a lot of actors growing up, but there are too many to name. I would say that Mark Wahlberg had the biggest influence because I had a chance to work with him in my hometown of Philadelphia on a couple of movies before I moved to New York. I had the opportunity to hang out and talk with him.

On the first movie that we worked together on, I asked him, “What is the best advice he would give an up-and-coming actor in the business?” He said, “Get to where the action is—New York or California.” That was when we were filming Invincible in Philadelphia and I was still attending college. I was working on that film during the summer.

The following year, I got to be his double and stand-in again because he came back and did The Happening. On that project, I asked him, “New York or Los Angeles?” because I had already made the decision I was going to move. He told me, “It doesn’t matter. The goal is to be bi-coastal.” That led to me making the jump to New York. I was like, “It’s close enough to home and it’s the second-best place in the world to be, if not the first.”

PC: You’re a jack-of-all-trades. How has your experience in real estate and entrepreneurship made you a stronger overall creative?
Kyle: It’s funny that you asked that. The other guy who I looked up to and was very influential in my career was Arnold Schwartzenegger. I listened to him on a podcast with Tim Ferriss, and I’ll explain how it all wraps together. I knew getting into the arts had a lot of uncertainty—you’re leaving a lot up, especially as an actor, to another person’s decision of hiring you. Every actor has another side hustle; they’re either a waiter, bartender, or the usual temp jobs. I tried bartending for a while and it wasn’t bad, but you’re up until four in the morning and then you have an audition at ten. It’s not really sustainable for the long-term.

I wanted to get into something that was flexible and that I could do for a long time while I was pursuing acting. Real estate was the obvious choice—it was so flexible. Once I went from becoming a real estate broker to becoming a real estate owner of an office, I had to create something out of nothing like creatives do. It really helped me be creative and helped me structure my day and schedule so that I would put enough energy into each.

PC: You moved to New York in 2008. What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Kyle: That’s a good question. I would say to trust my instincts more and to relax a little bit more about my career and how it was going to develop. I was filled with so much angst at that time trying to get my acting career off the ground. I literally felt like I needed to go through everything and try everything: multiple agents, multiple managers, multiple showcases, growing my hair long, cutting my hair short, creating different looks for myself.

I felt like I had to go through everything. Looking back on it now, I realized that if I would have relaxed a little bit more, slowed down, and plotted my course, I could have been more efficient with my time and be in the same position or further. But I also feel like I almost needed to go through all of that to be confident with where my career is going.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Kyle: There are two moments. Not long after I moved to New York, I made the decision to stop standing in for Mark Walhberg. I decided that I was going to create my own path as an actor. The day that I was supposed to be on set, I ended up going to an audition. I got hired for an acclaimed short film titled All That Remains. It was probably the best acting that I was able to get on my reel, and it catapulted the rest of my career. I remember being on set one day and Dee Snider from Twisted Sisters and his son were directing this film. I remember being around those guys and being like, “Wow, I’m making it happen for myself.”

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kyle: Mad Men.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kyle: Goodfellas. I can watch that over and over again.

PC: Favorite book?
Kyle: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kyle: Boy’s Life was a good play.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kyle: Post Malone.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Kyle: Sebastian Stan. People say we look alike.

To keep up with Kyle, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.