Meet Ticarus Bunch | Actor / Writer / Director

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

Hi Ticarus, what do you attribute your success to?
My wife, Dr. Latonya Bunch, has been the cornerstone of my success and the success of my brand. Not only is she my biggest supporter, but she also plays a pivotal role in my journey as my audition reader and sometimes coach, guiding me through many film and television auditions with unfiltered feedback. Similar to the influence of Majorie Harvey, she also has helped me transform my wardrobe into a more modern and distinguished gentlemanly look, in both style and career. Graduating honorably with a master’s degree in Journalism was made possible by her tireless dedication to her own pursuits, including counseling individuals and couples, all while managing our demanding schedules. Her unwavering support and constructive criticism continues to inspire me to believe in my limitless potential to reach my goals are reachable no matter how high they are.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional journey was transformed by a single prayer, echoing through the humble streets of Goldsboro, North Carolina. Before the lights of Hollywood beckoned, I navigated the roads as a delivery company owner, seeking a deeper purpose. One ordinary day, as I knelt to connect a refrigerator water line, I whispered a prayer for clarity, feeling the stirrings of a larger calling beyond my established yet unfulfilling career. In a divine twist of fate, a classmate mentioned an extra role in Tyler Perry’s production, The Haves and Have Nots and encouraged me to apply which I did.

As I stepped onto sets and slipped into characters like 50 Cents TV series BMF playing Roland West and a music producer named Doc in the feature film On the Come Up, is proof that one prayer can change everything. I wasn’t after the fame or fortune but the profound joy of storytelling and breathing life into characters. Something I learned while studying theatre at Goldsboro High School. Having a support group like my wife, and my business partner, Shawn Jones (R.I.P.), I realized the power of surrounding oneself with kindred spirits who uplift and propel us toward our dreams.

After traveling back and forth for auditions and bookings, I decided it was time to go all in pursuing my dreams, and we decided to leave North Carolina. I was a businessman and President of the Raleigh, NC chapter of a biker club called Cycles in Action.
From The Boro to Hollywood, my wife and I made it our pilgrimage guided by faith and a resolute belief in the signs that God placed before us, guiding us toward a future brimming with possibilities.

None of this was easy, but it was all worth it. Doing homework in my trailer in the middle of filming the opening scene of BMF or driving to Chicago with my wife all to be seen for two seconds, playing an extra in the Lee Daniels TV show Empire, just to earn not even the gas money it took to drive to Chicago. As a former soldier of the US Army, I took those losses as bootcamp to this industry. Each day, I would go on set and soak up everything that was happening behind the camera. This is how I earned my BS from Full Sail University in Cinematography in 2023 and a master’s in journalism in 2024.

What I would like the world to know is it doesn’t have to be in the church or a perfect place to ask God for guidance. My prayer came behind a dusty fridge in a stranger’s house on a rainy miserable day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So first, we’re gonna start the day with breakfast at Old Lady Gang. Their French Toast brings joy to my soul, a spot owned by Kandi Burgess shout out to her and Todd. Or we might hit up Busy Bee Or Toast on Lennox. Then, we’ll check out some cool tourist spots like the MLK monuments. Folks who haven’t been to the A, be ready to see things they’ve seen on TV, so I have to take them by Tyler Perry studios. After that, we’ll grab lunch at Mari Mac Tea Room and take a nice walk along the Atlanta Beltline.

In the evening, a car service will take us to a Hawks game and afterward visit Magic City, if that’s their vibe. The next morning, we’ll hit the golf course at Stone Mountain Golf Club for an early tee time and enjoy lunch with a view of the lake. Yea, I’m hood yet classy.

To wrap up their trip, I’m a homebody at heart, so having things to do within our property is a must so we would chill most of the last day, and for food, I’ll either prepare something like a seafood bake or boil, or whip up something on the grill.

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?
I want to take a moment to acknowledge my amazing and intelligent wife, Dr. Latonya Bunch. Without your encouragement, my dreams would have stayed just that—dreams. A big thanks to my brother, Stan “Da Man” Aughtry, for sending me that Tyler Perry audition. Also shouts out to my favorite director Joy T. Lane. Also I want to honor my late friend and angel, Shawn Jones, whose support allowed me to pursue my dreams without being burdened by the daily challenges of being a business owner. I also want to send a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Tyler Perry.
Sir God has blessed you so people like me can have a direction of hope. Although I’m in your next season of Sister’s I want you to know that if I never have the opportunity to work on any of your projects again, I will always be thankful. I’ve made the 5-year-old version of myself proud, and that fulfillment is more than enough to fill any future void I might encounter. Much respect to you. Lastly I want to thank my mother Annie D. Bunch for giving me the IT factor. Because of you I’m the life of the party. Also just like you I can be as nice as an elementary teacher or as a militant as a drill Sgt. Which translates on film. Love you, mom.
#justakidfromgoldsboro

Website: https://ticarusmbunch.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ticarus_bunch/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ticarus-bunch-04774491/

Twitter: https://x.com/BunchTicarus?s=09

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19Y52UppiB/

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7473705/

Image Credits
My picture that is with my wife’s credit. goes to Dewayne Boyd.
The individual picture in the black and white suit coat and all black with the red background goes to Anthony Caldwell with DDMG. The rest I took are personal images.