Meet Simon Shih | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Simon Shih and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Simon, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’ve always been a risk taker, since my teenage years. I quit high school my freshman year, got my GED and went to trade school for computers. My first “career” was in computer hardware, but quickly fell into the graphics/software side and learned on the job. That lasted less than a decade when a major downturn in the job market left me unemployed for a year. Most of my friends at the time were in the oil and gas industry so I entered the non-destruction inspection field with some books and some help. That need up being my career for the next 20 years. After losing my job at the end of 2022, I took another risk and decided to give acting a try. I fell in love with it and the last two years have been pursuing an acting career, while bartending as a survival job.
Risk taking hasn’t always been positive, but it has made my life interesting. I’ve traveled the world, lived on a sailboat, started a kickboxing business and am now living in a camper van that I built myself from an old FedEx van while pursuing my dream.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I moved to Atlanta, Georgia at the beginning of 2023 to try my hand at acting. I had never done it before and didn’t even know if it was something I would like, but after my first acting class, I fell in love. The last two years have been exciting and frustrating, but always fulfilling.
I’ve been very lucky with finding representation early, booking consistently and getting big auditions, but it hasn’t been easy. One of the hardest aspects is finding a survival job that would pay the bills while allowing me to pursue acting. I think I am finally at a place where that has happened.
Doubt also plays a big part in my journey, but I have a great group of friends who are incredibly supportive. I think that surrounding yourself with positive and supportive artists makes a hard industry a little easier.
If I could inspire anyone with my story, it’s to let people know that you’re never too old to pursue a dream. I am about to turn 54 and I feel like this is the first time in my life that I have lived my life the way I wanted, without worrying about what’s expected from me from family, friends or society.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To be honest, I don’t get out much. My focus is making money and pursuing acting. The few places I have been that I would recommend are Eight Sushi Lounge; one of the best sushi places I’ve ever been to, OK Yaki in East Atlanta Village for late night eats. The Vortex has some of the best burgers in town. And Delbar Middle Eastern has amazing food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are two people that have helped me the most since I started my path to acting. The first, is Stephen Ruffin. He was my first acting teacher and we are still friends today. I would consider him my mentor.
The second is Karla Huff, my manager. Her excitement and passion in representing me, keeps me going when I have self doubt in what I am doing.

Website: https://simonshih.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simon.actorish

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5W9qS9zJuUkztGNfC45-_w/

Other: https://www.threads.net/@simon.actorish

Image Credits
Tom Barbee
Geoffrey Donne
Geoffrey Donne
Geoffrey Donne
Sarah Massey
Joe Funk