Interview by Geno McGahee
Making a film is like nothing else. There is an energy when artistic people with a love for the game come together to create something and it’s that much better when you work with talent that brings kindness and a joyful spirit. I often describe Chris Spinelli, a California Actor and Producer, as the nicest guy in the world and if he’s not, he’s close. I have been fortunate to work with him and see his amazing skills on display.
There is a reason why Spinelli is in so many productions beyond his good personality. He has earned every role and can play anything and do it well. His versatility and hard work keeps leading great roles that he owns, including one of my favorites, the returning Ronald DeFeo, JR., in AMITYVILLE EMANUELLE.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Chris and got some great insight on his journey into film, his experiences and his future ambitions…
GM: What first attracted you to acting? What were your first experiences?
My first experiences that eventually attracted me to acting was the movies. At a very young age I was lucky that my Parents were big moviegoers. And since I was a product of the 70’s, I remember seeing, to name a few, MOONRAKER (James Bond), FLASH GORDON, THE CANNONBALL RUN, and CAVEMAN (yes, with Ringo Starr and it cracked me up). At the time I didn’t know I wanted to be an actor, but I was attracted to the adventure movies bring.
It wasn’t until I was 12 or 13 years old when I got bit by the acting bug and decided to pursue it. I have a theory that no matter what you do in the Film Industry, once it gets in your blood, there’s no shaking it off and it becomes your life’s work. I can thank Georganne Sugden, my first Teacher, who ran a Theater group called Stage 11 in Denver, Colorado where I grew up. That stage is where I first performed and never looked back. That through-line continued in High School and I was a Media Performance Major (Acting and Production) at Chapmen University.
Once I graduated I went to Hollywood, like how most of us do! Over the years I’ve been fortunate to book Film, Television, and Commercial work including being a set up for one of Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue jokes on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!. They made it look like I had just been tased so smoke was coming off of me. Good Comedy fun.
During all that time I had met and kept in touch with Filmmaker and Distributor, Gregory Hatanaka. Five years ago we had lunch and he mentioned he was getting back into Directing. Our first movie was CHOKE starring Sarah Brine, Shane Ryan-Reid, and Scott Butler. Gregory wrote and Directed the movie and since then, we’ve had over 200 lunches (Laughs) and have released around 40 movies.
I’ve been working close with Gregory and his companies CineRidge Entertainment (Production) and Cinema Epoch (Distribution) mostly as a Producer and Actor. Because of him, I’ve worked the most in this industry in front and behind the camera and can’t thank him enough. Most importantly, we’ve become very good friends during this ride. Our movies are made for the streaming world and you can watch them on Tubi, Prime Video, our Cinema Epoch YouTube page, Vimeo, and more.
Gregory has also given me the opportunity to work with so many talented and creative people including you Geno, but I’ll get to you later. From CHOKE on I’ve been fortunate to work with Nicole D’Angelo (Actor, Writer, Director of ACRYLIC), Nino Cimino (Writer, Director, Actor) along with actors Lisa London, Jason Toler, Johnny Mask, Shoko Rice, Socks Whitmore, Jeff Rector, Masashi Ishizuka, Sharon Marr, and Dan Luong. There are many more on that list and I’ll mention more in a bit.
Other filmmakers I work with are Rich Mallery, Scott Hillman, Jamie Grefe, and Benny Tjandra. Also thanks to Benny Tjandra, Doug Tochioka, and Talon Tears for their stunt and fight choreography for our movies KILL PLAN and ANOTHER WAY TO DIE to name a couple.
Last I want to mention fan favorites Warren Hong (Production Manager), Kuy Yeav (sound), and Daniel Coltor (hair and makeup) on our team as well.
GM: Did you always see film as a goal?
Since my last answer was so long, did I always see film as a goal? Yes.
GM: You’ve played so many different roles. What was your some of your favorite roles and what has been your most challenging?
I’ve been fortunate to play a wide range of roles and here are some of my favorites. Jeff in A CHRISTMAS LOVE written by Jamie Grefe was fun because it balanced Comedy, Romance and deep Drama in this “Hallmarkish” movie. I was able to create a lot of Comedy bits in this one including a hilarious scene with Jeff Rector as my boss and a box of doughnuts. This role to me was my Tom Hanks moment (one of my favorite actors).
Another Comedy role is Martin in A WISEGUY CHRISTMAS written and starring Nino Cimino. I perform stand-up comedy and the character Martin has the same gullible persona I do on stage so I was able to really connect with the role. Nino and I also have a great comedic Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis chemistry vibe. You can guess which of those two legends relate to Martin. This movie also has a great ensemble of characters. Just like, well I’ll bring it up again, THE CANNONBALL RUN. Gregory Hatanaka directed these movies minus THE CANNONBALL RUN…of course.
Now shifting from Comedy, one of my favorite Action roles is in ANOTHER WAY TO DIE written by Jamie and Directed by Gregory. This movie stars the full steam ahead action guy and Friend, Louis DeStefano. While this movie was still in development, I came up with an idea that my character doesn’t speak and “The Silencer” was born. No lines to memorize so it was just coming to set walking around feeling cool (at least I felt that way) and doing some major action scenes. Yes!
One of the most challenging roles I’ve had was Gary in DARK DEEDS written by Nino and Directed by Gregory. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the best way I can put it is Gary is in a key climatic scene in the movie. All of his character objectives intersect at once with the most intense and physical scene I’ve ever done. After production, it took me a couple of days to emotionally disconnect from this character. Another role that comes to mind is when I played Walter in FELINES. This movie is written and Directed by Rich Mallery who I’ve had the pleasure of working with often in our group. Check out his other movies to see his unique style of filmmaking. For me, it wasn’t so much that Walter was challenging to play, it was more of shifting my focus as an actor to make sure my performance was not overdone and be in a zone of a character that was always in control. My preparation for Walter was very introverted while Gary was very physical. Thanks to the two Female Leads in FELINES, Madison Santos and Kate Ly Johnston to help me consistently get to that place.
GM: You have been riding this wave of momentum, gracing the covers of many films and earning starring roles. Being in the spot that many want to be in, what factors have set you apart and brought you to this position?
Can I pinch myself? Wait, I don’t want to wake up! I’m very thankful for this wave and I want to keep riding it because I remember the days when acting jobs were very far and in between. The main factor that worked for me is meeting and keeping in touch with people over time in the industry to set myself up for opportunities.
Q: You are in the newly released FATAL JUSTICE. Can you talk about that and what it was like to bring two film groups together to achieve the common goal?
Now I can talk about you and my East Coast film family. Do I feel another long answer coming? Thanks again to Gregory, I was able to meet and work with you along with a group of great actors you’ve known over the years in Massachusetts. Here’s another example of me being a 1970’s child, bringing our two film groups together was like being a part of SUPER FRIENDS. We have our West Coast group who I mentioned earlier now combined with the East Coast chapter of Lorrie Bacon, Eric Michaelian, Brent Northup, Rick Caride, and Matthew Hebert. The result is an explosion of talent.
I believe a project always starts with a significant script and that’s what you have with FATAL JUSTICE written by you. Now I know why it’s “Geno F- – – – – g McGahee” a term coined by the East Coast group! I love that the dialog you write is how people naturally speak. This is so important in this movie because it’s dialog driven with not a lot of locations and a heavy story. This structure is like the classic 12 ANGRY MEN. Because of these elements, the preparation for my role as Larry was being committed to breaking down how my dialog connected with the other characters. There are so many dynamics in the story of this Family dealing with loss and the reality that the law failed them. All the performances in this movie are fantastic and each actor brought their roles to life. There are a lot of intense confrontations between the characters and we pulled it off. Instead of me writing another list of names, just look up the cast on IMDb and you’ll see who I’m talking about.
It was amazing to bring our two film groups together and it was a rewarding experience to collaborate with people traveling all the way from Massachusetts to Los Angeles. Everyone involved brought their “A” game to achieve the common goal of completing not one, but two movies in one week (FATAL JUSTICE and DEADLY WESTERN). I think I can speak for the majority of us, but much needed rest was had the week after.
Q: You played Ronald Defao Jr. in AMITYVILLE EMANUELLE, which was a great movie and you were hilarious. How much fun was it to play such a role and do you think, as I do, that your Defao JR needs to battle another notable killer?
First off, “Make Room for Daddy!” Had to get that out of the way. AMITYVILLE EMANUELLE was so much fun to make and another well written script by you. This movie was a great time to make because I play two completely different characters of Ronald Defao Jr., the notorious mass murderer, and Evan who is a History Teacher with nerdy qualities. Since both characters were on opposite sides of the spectrum, it was easy to jump into either role right away especially since we were on a tight schedule. Fantastic job to first time Director Louis DeStefano who kept us on track to get principle photography completed (literally since he was the camera operator as well) in three days.
I can’t say enough about the rest of the cast that was on point on the fast pace set and delivered outstanding performances from Dawn Church, Shane Ryan-Reid, Allie Perez, Linda S. Wong, Saint Heart, Johnny Avila, Erika Holzhausen, Jose Adam Alvarez, Spencer Cadigan, Jorge Meneses, and Joycelyne Lew.
Do I hear a possible spin-off? Yes! Let’s have Ronald Defao Jr. fight Jack the Ripper. Does this mean we’re officially in development on this?
Q: You are now branching out even more, starring in SCARY TALES: DEAD ZONE. How is that experience to go from California to Massachusetts and film in totally different areas and with different film groups?
Just like East Coast group coming to Los Angeles to experience our neck of the woods. I’ve been fortunate have done the reversal a few times flying out your way. After traveling out to a couple of your premieres (including A CHRISTMAS INVITATION) and making SCARY TALES: DEAD ZONE, I’m starting to feel like the MGM Grand in Springfield, MA is a second home.
Coming out to the East Coast to film SCARY TALES: DEAD ZONE was a wonderful experience especially geographically. I was fascinated driving to set through these towns from colonial times and cruising by thick woods. Something you don’t see in Los Angeles. Working once again with the East Coast film group was flawless. The long day I had on set was so enjoyable. There are so many characters in the story, but the structure for my character, Jay, mainly only appeared in the movie with Lorrie Bacon (the kindest person on the planet) and Mark Carter. Everyone was great to work with including Jesse Waegelein-Hall and Cayla Harhausen. It was also different to be on set just as an actor. I’d ask Producer/Art Director Rick Caride if he needed help with anything behind the scenes and he would tell me “no”, so I’d eat another hot dog instead from the delicious barbecue.
Q: You’ve done every genre. What is your favorite to partake in and what is the most challenging?
I enjoy doing any genre because as an actor, we’re interpreting a writer’s script. My attitude is to commit to whatever the genre is of the movie. As far as challenging, I’d say action since it’s so physical and if it includes a fight scene, preparation and making punches sell on camera is very important.
Q: You’ve been in two westerns, DEADLY WESTERN and AMERICAN WESTERN. Is it more fun to work in an uncommon environment like the old west or outer space?
Doing the two westerns was a dream come true. It is fun to work in an uncommon environment like a western because those movies were shot on location and not in the studios we usually work in. Even though we were out in the elements dealing with lower temperatures and wind, every actor hopefully will eventually experience working in this genre. Outer space is fun too, but usually made in a studio. Overall, whatever the environment the story takes place in, I’ll dive into that environment.
Q: Any advice to those trying to break into the business?
Good advice for any actor breaking into the business is to accept that pursuing your goals may take time. It’s a long journey and everyone advances in the Film Industry in different ways. Advice everyone can relate to is always network at screenings or Film Festivals because the people you meet today, you might collaborate with in the future.
I started in this industry when headshots were taken in black-and-white. Since then, the Industry has benefited with technology which leads to my next bit of advice. Submit online to as many projects as you can and be your own publicist with X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc.. I’m also always updating my IMDb page with my credits and photos. At the same time you can support other filmmakers and actors and before you know it, you’ll have a strong community of people to work with. I also believe that it’s still important to have an Agent or Manager so they can get you auditions you won’t have access to. It is a numbers game. Overall be positive, a team player on set, and respect everyone professionally.
Q: Any final words?
Thank you for taking the time to interview me Geno. I’d like to thank my Manager Shelley Pena and my Agent Philippe Poezach who both work very hard opening more doors for me and their continued support.
You can follow me @chrisspinelli2 on X, Instagram, and TikTok where I always post updates and photos of what I’m working on. I’m also a part of a Comedy Podcast, COMEDIANS AT DENNY’S, on our Facebook page every Wednesday with fellow Comedians Lauren Kirshner and Jay Hewlett. Thanks for reading and see you on set!
