Next Act with Jeff Ornstein

Jeff Ornstein

5.0 (7)
Arts

A designer exploring a new path in acting and Hollywood. Join Jeff Ornstein as he shares personal experiences, lessons learned, and conversations with others making big career shifts in the entertainment industry. Practical insights, honest stories, no fluff, just the journey of breaking into a new world.

2d ago

Jim Grimshaw - Professional Actor, Writer, Director & Retired U.S. Army Special Operations Officer

What does it take to leave behind a distinguished military career and pursue a lifelong dream of acting? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Jim Grimshaw, a professional actor, writer, director, and retired U.S. Army Special Operations Officer whose remarkable journey spans nearly 23 years of military service and more than three decades in film and television. Jim shares how his childhood passion for performing eventually led him from Army Special Forces to Hollywood, where he worked on iconic productions including Magnum, P.I., North and South, and Days of Thunder. From helping shape Tom Selleck's Navy SEAL character to working alongside Robert Duvall and Patrick Swayze, Jim reflects on the unexpected opportunities, personal sacrifices, and relationships that shaped his second career. Together, Jeff and Jim explore the importance of mentorship, embracing unconventional opportunities, overcoming setbacks, and recognizing that sometimes taking a step backward can lead to your biggest breakthrough. Jim also shares lessons from his extraordinary life and his memoir, A Matter of Integrity, reminding us that it's never too late to pursue a passion that's been with you all along. Whether you're considering a career change, rediscovering an old dream, or navigating your own next chapter, this conversation is a powerful reminder that reinvention begins with the courage to take a chance. For those inspired by Jim's incredible journey, there's even more to his story. Jim recently published his memoir, A Matter of Integrity, offering a deeper look into the experiences, challenges, and lessons that have shaped his life. A Matter of Integrity is available now on Amazon Kindle, with paperback and hardcover editions coming soon. Search for A Matter of Integrity by Jim Grimshaw on Amazon to learn more.
4d ago

Estes Tarver - Actor, Director & Artistic Director, Moonlight Arts and Entertainment

What does it really take to build a lasting career in Hollywood when success can take decades? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Estes Tarver, an award-winning actor, director, writer, and producer with over 25 years of experience in entertainment. From studying pre-med to discovering his passion for acting, Estes shares the unexpected journey that led him to roles in Outer Banks, House of Cards, Mr. Mercedes, and Mayor of Kingstown. Estes takes us behind the scenes of creating his award-winning independent film Changeover, revealing the challenges of low-budget filmmaking, navigating film festivals, and securing distribution. He also opens up about the realities of rejection, narrowly missing major Hollywood roles, and finding the resilience to keep moving forward. As the founder and artistic director of Moonlight Arts and Entertainment, Estes shares his approach to mentoring young actors, why talent alone isn't enough, and how the entertainment industry has changed following COVID and industry strikes. From personal struggles to creative breakthroughs, this conversation explores the importance of patience, persistence, and finding fulfillment in the journey rather than waiting for a big break. Whether you're an aspiring actor, filmmaker, or someone navigating a career transition, Estes offers a powerful reminder that success isn't always about how quickly you get there, but whether you're willing to keep going.
Oct 15

Beverly Brock - President & Owner, The Brock Agency, Inc.

What does it really take to build a lasting career in acting, and what are talent agents looking for today? In this episode of Next Act, host Jeff Ornstein sits down with Beverly Brock, President and Owner of The Brock Agency, Inc., to explore the realities of talent representation, the changing entertainment industry, and what separates successful actors from those who struggle to break through. With more than 35 years of experience representing actors and screenwriters, Beverly shares an insider's perspective on how casting has evolved, why authenticity matters more than ever, and how aspiring performers can stand out in a competitive industry. From the shift to virtual auditions and self-tapes to building relationships with casting directors, Beverly offers practical advice for actors at every stage of their careers. She also discusses launching Eagles Wings Entertainment to champion screenwriters and bring compelling stories to the screen. In this episode, you'll learn: What talent agents look for when signing new actors.How virtual auditions have changed the casting process.Why professionalism, responsiveness, and authenticity matter.How aspiring actors can build experience before seeking representation.What makes a screenplay stand out to producers.Why resilience and staying true to yourself are essential for career longevity.Whether you're entering the entertainment industry for the first time, transitioning from another career, or looking to take your acting journey further, Beverly's insights offer a valuable look at what it takes to succeed behind and in front of the camera.
Oct 13

Ash T – Actor, Writer & Executive Producer, Self-Employed

What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted, only to realize you're not happy? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Ash T, a former physician and medical researcher who walked away from a successful career at MD Anderson Cancer Center to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an actor. After years of dedication to medicine, Ash had the career, salary, and stability most people dream of. But something was missing. At the height of his medical career, he made the bold decision to start over in Hollywood, trading financial security for a life driven by passion and creativity. Since making that leap, Ash has appeared in acclaimed television series including Better Call Saul, Euphoria, Dead to Me, and The Pitt. He has also expanded into writing and producing, co-creating the award-winning pilot Son of a Bikram, which received a Special Jury Award at SXSW. Throughout their conversation, Jeff and Ash explore the realities of reinventing yourself, overcoming fear, navigating rejection, and finding fulfillment beyond traditional measures of success. Ash shares how his medical background unexpectedly helped his acting career, why he believes actors should create their own opportunities, and how persistence has carried him through Hollywood's unpredictable highs and lows. From selling his house to finance a passion project to facing silent audiences as a stand-up comedian, Ash's journey is a reminder that meaningful success often requires taking risks, embracing uncertainty, and refusing to give up on what you love. Whether you're considering a career change, pursuing a creative dream, or wondering if it's too late to start over, this conversation offers an inspiring perspective on courage, resilience, and building a life without regrets.
Oct 8

Adnan Amir - Award-Winning Actor, Filmmaker & CEO, Colossal Films

What does it take to leave behind a traditional career and bet on yourself as a filmmaker? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Adnan Amir, an award-winning British actor, filmmaker, author, and Founder and CEO of Colossal Films. Adnan shares his unconventional journey from studying law to building a career in film and creating Back 2 Forward, an independent romantic thriller he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. What began as an idea for a novel ultimately became an award-winning film and expanded into the larger Back 2 Forward Universe through a series of companion novels. Adnan opens up about making an ambitious independent film with extremely limited resources, wearing multiple hats behind and in front of the camera, and why passion and persistence can sometimes matter more than having the perfect budget. He also shares the personal challenges behind the project, including losing his mother and his home during the filmmaking journey, and how those experiences strengthened his belief in resilience, mindset, and continuing forward through adversity. Jeff and Adnan also discuss the importance of film festivals for independent filmmakers, maintaining creative control, overcoming fear, building confidence, and what audiences can expect next from Colossal Films. For anyone considering their own next act, Adnan's story is a reminder that changing direction can be difficult, but sometimes the biggest opportunities begin when you're willing to take the leap.
Oct 6

Judi Beecher - Award-Winning Actress, Filmmaker & Producer, Beecher Productions

On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Judi Beecher, a multi-award-winning actress, filmmaker, producer, singer-songwriter, and author whose career has taken her from New York and Los Angeles to Paris and Cannes. Her credits include Taken 3, Forbidden Tango (formerly Tango Shalom), and the acclaimed video game Heavy Rain. Judi shares the unconventional path that led her from banking to a life in the arts, the perseverance required to build an international acting career, and what she learned working alongside talents like Liam Neeson. She also takes us behind the scenes of Heavy Rain, which she describes as one of the most challenging acting experiences of her career. The conversation also explores her deeply personal documentary, Run Ronya: The Kindness of Strangers, inspired by her mother’s childhood escape from Nazi-occupied France. Judi discusses how storytelling can preserve memory, encourage compassion, and inspire people to pursue work that matters. From acting and filmmaking to spirituality, resilience, and taking the first step toward a new chapter, Judi’s story is a reminder to follow what makes your heart sing and keep going despite the inevitable rejection along the way.
Oct 1

Jonathan Geffner - Writer, Executive Producer & Lead Actor, The Dummy Detective

What happens when you walk away from one creative path and unexpectedly discover the one that defines your career? On this episode of Next Act, Jeff Ornstein sits down with Jonathan Geffner, writer, executive producer, lead actor, and creator of The Dummy Detective. Jonathan shares his unconventional journey from studying classical piano to discovering ventriloquism and eventually building a decades-long career as a performer, writer, and filmmaker. Jonathan discusses the creation of his award-winning Trillo & Suede series, his love of film noir, the challenges of independently producing a feature film, and how he brought The Dummy Detective to life. He also shares the story behind casting Sean Young, why writing and performing remain his favorite parts of the creative process, and what he hopes comes next for the characters he has spent years developing. It’s a conversation about creative reinvention, persistence, following an unlikely passion, and turning an original idea into something entirely your own.
Sep 29

Eric Geynes - Actor, Performance Capture Artist & Certified Chubbuck Coach

What happens when the career you were trained for no longer feels like the life you want? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with British-French actor, performance capture artist, and certified Chubbuck coach Eric Geynes to explore his unconventional journey from competitive swimming to an international acting career. Eric shares why he walked away from the security of a traditional career to pursue acting at 30, how his background as an athlete shaped his discipline as a performer, and what he has learned working across the U.S. and European entertainment industries. They also dive into the Chubbuck acting technique, Eric's experience on Emily in Paris, the realities of auditions and rejection, maintaining your identity when you're not on set, and why mentoring the next generation of performers has become an important part of his career. Eric also discusses The Constant Actor, his upcoming practical book designed to help actors continuously develop their craft, mindset, and relationship with the industry through short daily exercises. For anyone navigating a career transition, pursuing a creative life, or wondering whether it's ever too late to follow the path you've always wanted, this conversation offers an inside look at what it takes to make the leap.

5

out of 5

7 Ratings

A designer exploring a new path in acting and Hollywood. Join Jeff Ornstein as he shares personal experiences, lessons learned, and conversations with others making big career shifts in the entertainment industry. Practical insights, honest stories, no fluff, just the journey of breaking into a new world.

Creator

Jeff Ornstein
Years Active

2026
Episodes

47
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Next Act with Jeff Ornstein
Show Website

Next Act with Jeff Ornstein