In the world of acting, where every role demands a unique blend of authenticity and innovation, Josh Pais stands out as a master of transformation. Known for his dynamic performances in projects ranging from “Joker” to “A Beautiful Mind,” Pais brings a rare depth to his characters. His recent role as Herb Richman in “A Man in Full” exemplifies his approach to acting—rooted in deep personal exploration and energetic spontaneity. By grounding himself and allowing his imagination to lead, Pais creates characters that resonate with clarity and presence. In this blog post, we delve into Pais’s insights on preparing for complex roles, his creative process, and the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. Join us as Sofia Deus uncover the artistry behind his compelling performances and the wisdom he imparts to aspiring actors.
Photography Kevin Scanlon
SD – “A Man in Full” dives into themes of power and resilience. How did you prepare to portray Herb Richman, and what aspects of his character resonated with you personally?*
JP – I played with grounding my energy deep into the earth, as well as sending energy outward to encompass whatever was in my environment. I then allowed those energetic choices to spark my imagination and body to generate spontaneous behaviour. The choice of those energetic patterns resonated with me because they reflect the dynamics of my experience of confidence. These energetic patterns also generate a sense of ownership of the moment. These choices aligned with my interpretation of Herb.
SD – You’ve worked with some incredible actors and directors throughout your career. How did working alongside Jeff Daniels in “A Man in Full” influence your performance?*
JP – Jeff is always ready to play; Ready to see what can happen in the unknown moment of creation. He seeks truth, and spontaneity, which I aim for as well. It was a blast.
SD – Herb Richman is described as an assertive, high-powered businessman. Did you draw on any real-life inspirations or personal experiences to bring authenticity to this role?*
JP – Observing people who are truly powerful, and not wannabees, I often see a level of clarity and presence which allows them to make insightful choices. I attempted to bring these elements to Herb.
SD – Your character in “A Man in Full” faces intense pressure and high stakes. How do you approach portraying such intense emotional and psychological states?*
JP – In this case, I let myself feel everything, all the high stakes, without feeling a need to react. The only place I have a strong outward reaction is when Jeff’s character waves a rattlesnake in my direction. I thought it would be fun to see my character, who up until that point was always in control, completely lose his shit. I was screaming at the top of my lungs like a teenage girl on a roller coaster.
Photography Kevin Scanlon
SD – From “The Dropout” to “Younger” and now “A Man in Full,” you’ve played a wide range of characters. What draws you to a particular role, and what keeps you passionate about acting?*
JP – I like characters that have contradiction. I like characters that have a blind spot. By that I mean a part of their personality that unwittingly creates chaos, or results they don’t expect.
I’m drawn to projects that somewhere in their core, somewhere in the root of the story, have a positive message for mankind. I don’t mean a Hallmark message – but when the story has the potential to bring insight, inspiration or just pure entertainment to an audience – that allows me to dig in deep to make it work.
SD – Having been part of major projects like “Joker” and “A Beautiful Mind,” what lessons have you carried from those experiences into your recent work on “A Man in Full”?*
JP – Even though I’ve done quite a few movies and TV shows over the years, I consider myself a student of the artform of acting. I’m always looking for corridors that lead to spontaneity. Each gig has its own chemistry, its own vibe. Part of the work is attempting to find the best calibration for each project so that I can get out of my head, and allow something magical to take place.
Photography Kevin Scanlon
SD – In “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” you play music producer Lowell Gelfand. How does this role differ from Herb Richman, and what unique challenges did it present?*
JP – Totally different. Lowell is loose, where Herb is tight. Lowell is an artist, where Herb is a businessman. I explored bringing elements of Rick Ruben into my character; a wisdom, a playfulness. Lowell has a big heart, and sees the big picture, where Herb’s field of vision is narrow.
SD – You’ve had a career spanning over three decades with a wide variety of roles. How have you seen the industry change, and what advice would you give to aspiring actors navigating today’s entertainment landscape?*
JP – That’s a good question. There is always an ebb and flow in the entertainment industry. Sometimes there is an abundance of work, other times the studios operate in a more fearful and contracted way. We’re seeing more of that right now. But it too will shift.
My advice is to bring YOUR truth to everything you do. Don’t give your eyes away and wonder what others may want of you; what others may think of you. What you have to offer the world is important. It’s unique. Do what you can to offer all of yourself in everything you do. Don’t play it safe. Access your creative impulses, and find what can happen in the unknown.
SD – Working with award-winning creators like those behind “Big Little Lies” and now “A Man in Full,” what have you learned about storytelling and character development that you apply to your own craft?*
JP – After 150 movies and TV shows, I’m just a beginner. I’m learning to not contract. I’m learning that whatever sensation is in my body is the source to create from as opposed to what my mind thinks is correct. But sometimes I forget that. I’m still learning.
SD – You’ve mentioned that your career has seeped into the public’s unconscious. How do you maintain a balance between being a recognisable face and keeping a sense of personal privacy?*
JP – I don’t think about that.
SD – Finally, can you tell us more about your current projects and any future plans or considerations you have? Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
JP – Rather unexpectedly I’ve been offered a book deal from Penguin Random House and Hay House. They want me to write about what I’ve been teaching for decades: something called Committed Impulse (https://committedimpulse.com/). It started out as solely an approach to acting by accessing your impulses. Part of that involves increasing your tolerance for your full range of sensation and emotion. This leads to creative invincibility, so that no matter what you’re feeling, and no matter what kind of debilitating thoughts are in your head – you’ll be able to do your best work.
Over the years people from all professions have been coming to my classes. The publishers have asked me to write a book that brings all of these principles to the general public; to anybody that creates anything. From actors to entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, chefs, dancers, ping pong champs…
The book gets released September 30th, 2025.
It’s title: LOSE YOUR MIND, THE PATH TO CREATIVE INVINCIBILITY.
