Life & Work with Justin Mane

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Mane.

Hi Justin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I originally was discovered when I was 16, walking through a Meijer with a friend of mine. I was asked to attend a casting call from a scout at an agency. After signing up, I found out the agency was a scam and left the business completely – only did student films after that. At 19, I decided to get into Pro Wrestling and did that for about 15 years. 

In 2014, I got back into acting after working on Jurassic World as an extra. It changed my life and viewpoint on acting, and it reignited my passion for acting again. 

Since then, I’ve worked on films feature films like Kathryn Bigelow’s “Detroit” and the Bruce Willis-starring “Deadlock,” as well as Showtime’s “American Rust,” and many other films and commercials too. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. No one warns you about how difficult it is to navigate when you first start out. That information is more widely available now, but back in 2014 (and even earlier in 2004), there wasn’t much. 

This is the only line of work where you get rejected 90-99% of the time when you audition. You get used to it through and once you understand that it’s not always something in your control that can lose you a booking, then it becomes far more manageable. 

Sometimes there’s also longgggg stretches of time where you don’t book anything, which can play with your psyche too. But that happens to everyone at some point. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work primarily as an Actor; however, I’ve also worked as a Producer, Casting Director, Stunt Performer, and Writer. Soon, I’ll be able to add Director to that list, too, as I have a few projects in the works that will be going up in the future. 

I’m known for my role as “Deputy Roth” in “American Rust,” Dean Summers in “Crow,” and for my work as a Pro Wrestler under the name of “Justin Mane.” 

I feel what separates me from others in my category is my discipline and work ethic to “fill the gaps,” so to speak. By that, I mean that I identify weak points in my game and work to make them strengths. Humility is one of the greatest things a person can master, and once you do, the world is yours. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck is an interesting subject. On one hand, you improve your luck when you improve every part about yourself to put yourself into a better position to succeed… But likewise, something so random can happen that completely will disregard any preparation you’ve been able to put together and send you in a completely different direction. 

In my career, it’s worked for me best when I’ve prepared as much as possible but allow wiggle room to go with the flow. And if something happens? Oh well… Just gotta go where the river takes me. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justinmane.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/JustinManeOfficial
• Facebook: Facebook.com/TheJustinMane
• Twitter: Twitter.com/JustinManeOff
• Youtube: Youtube.com/JustinMane
• Other: www.justinmanefitness.com

Image Credits
Paul Archuleta
Brent Short
Chuck Mayfield
Paul Casebolt