Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with 21 Bridges’ Darren Lipari

Darren Lipari is pulling out all the stops as Lieutenant Kelly in the Russo Brothers’ 21 Bridges. In theaters today, Darren shares the screen alongside an all-star cast, which includes Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, Taylor Kitsch, and J.K. Simmons. It’s a breakout role for this talented up-and-comer, and we sat down to chat all about it.

PC: You’re an actor, filmmaker, and editor. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Darren: I think it started with the fact that I grew up in a performing arts household. My parents were both entertainers and always supported and encouraged my dream to be an artist, whether it was a filmmaker and/or actor. They also were always watching films and taking me into the city to see plays and musicals. That conditioning, as well as an innate passion for storytelling and entertaining, led me to the creative lifestyle I am currently living.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Darren: There are so many influences that still happen constantly, but the main influence was always Rod Serling, who created The Twilight Zone. I was enamored by the way he could present his point of view on relevant social and political issues through the use of science fiction and was always floored by some of those twist endings. His writing awakened this dormant creativity and wonder I had and opened the door to start thinking about bigger ideas and larger possibilities in life and fiction. Actor-wise, there are so many performances, but offhand I really was affected by Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People and Jeff Bridges in The Fisher King. Both of those roles fall under my acting niche, which are playing troubled or traumatized characters in the throes of an identity/existential crisis. I felt for those characters deeply and it definitely inspired me to portray certain characters that other people could connect with.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wished you knew when you started?
Darren: Don’t give them what you think they want, give them you. When I started out as an actor, I didn’t take as many risks in the audition room or on set as I should have. I somewhat played it safe and gave people a version that seemed familiar, but it wasn’t a true representation of me as an actor and who I really was as a person. It was somewhat contained. I did this partly because I was new on the block and was just happy to be called in for roles, especially since I didn’t have much training in my early days. I’ve gotten much better now at just doing my version, sticking to my guns, and not holding back, which has made me stand out in the room and on set. Sure enough, some of the improvised dialogue I did in 21 Bridges that wasn’t in the script made it into the film!

PC: Tell us about 21 Bridges, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Darren: The great thing about 21 Bridges is that it’s not only an intense modern-day action thriller, but it’s also an homage to ticking-clock genre movies of the sixties, seventies, and eighties, such as The Manchurian Candidate, The French Connection, and Escape From New York. The plot centers around a drug bust that goes wrong, resulting in eight cops being brutally murdered. Chadwick Boseman’s character, Andre Davis, comes in to apprehend the killers, and to do so, he decides to close all twenty-one bridges in Manhattan as well as flooding the island with the NYPD. My character, Lieutenant Kelly, is one of Captain McKenna’s [J.K. Simmons] top men and is brought in to assist the citywide manhunt. Lieutenant Kelly also has personal stakes in apprehending the killers. He’s fearless, resilient, and will do anything to avenge his fallen brothers in blue.

PC: You’re playing a lieutenant in the film. How did you prepare for the role?
Darren: Fortunately, I’ve been able to get training with firearms and tactics on previous acting jobs such as Mr. Robot and Person of Interest. That being said, I never played a lieutenant before, so I was interested in researching that specific job title. Delving into the chain of command within the NYPD, a lieutenant is a valued position that requires years of field experience and multiple degrees to obtain. I wanted to honor that experience, proficiency, and intelligence into the role.

PC: There are a lot of heavyweights attached to 21 Bridges. Did that add any extra pressure heading into filming? What was the biggest takeaway from this experience?
Darren: It is an unbelievable cast, and I was so thrilled to work with them as well as being able to watch them work. There is always going to be some sort of pressure going into a job, but I use that energy to my advantage. I let it fuel my positivity and creativity on set with my fellow actors and crew members. I went into 21 Bridges as prepared as I thought I could be but also allowed myself to be open and receptive to making this project a learning experience for me. While I’ve done numerous television shows and have worked with actors I have deep respect and fandom for, I knew the scale and star power behind this particular job was something special, and if I was going to feel nerves or pressure, I would guide that into the performance. And fortunately, with the high stakes of the plot, it was welcomed.

PC: Besides 21 Bridges, do you have any other upcoming projects that you can chat about?
Darren: At the moment, I’ve been auditioning for some exciting films and television shows that I can’t talk about, but my team and I are looking at some interesting projects in development, specifically the Sly Stallone-produced series The Tenderloin and the Die Hard prequel McClane, being directed by Len Wiseman.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Darren: Mob Wives

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Darren: The Cutting Edge

PC: Favorite book?
Darren: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Darren: Death of a Salesman

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Darren: “Live to Tell” by Madonna. That intro is ridiculous.

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Darren: Mindhunter Season 2 on Netflix and The Boys on Amazon

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Darren: Me! Or Bruce Willis circa 1987, pre-Die Hard.

PC: Hidden talent?
Darren: I’m an excellent parallel parker. It’s spiritual for me.

To keep up with Darren, follow him on Instagram. Catch 21 Bridges in theaters today.

Photo Credit: LionsgatePhoto Credit: Steez Media // Stylist: Victoria Jackson // Groomer: Andrea Pezzillo