Ari Stidham as Sylvester Dodd on ‘Scorpion’ Source: CBS
Though on CBS’ hit show Scorpion Ari Stidham plays the socially anxious genius mathematician Sylvester Dodd, in real life he’s a laid back, down-to-earth Californian who spends his free time putting on comedy shows or writing music.
When he’s not working on Scorpion,
(which takes up about 9 months of the year), he’s working with his friends to produce films and comedy sketches. Recently he’s been working on his own variety show in LA called The VARIety Hour, his music career as DR. TV, and he even produced a radio play. When it comes to entertainment, Ari is a genius.
Ari Stidham with TGON’s Jaimee Rindy:
I put on a live variety show monthly in Hollywood where I try out new comedy material, show some improvised comedy short films and perform the new DRTV tunes with my band!
I’ve also found myself helping develop and direct a few new narrative full length theatrical works this year, some are musicals which has been really rewarding and fun, as musical theatre allows me to wear a plethora of my favorite creative hats.
I love acting on Scorpion because the pace of our show fits my personality. We shoot a lot of stuff at lighting fast speed and there is never a moment where “phoning it in” is really an option. The hardest part of being an actor for me is turning off the other parts of my head that are not currently being used by the task at hand. Also auditioning, because my feet sweat when I’m nervous and I slip on the insides of my shoe and I’m a mess.
This is DRTV’s list in no particular order, entitled “Shows I Love” The Office, Twin Peaks, Friday Night Lights, Chapelle’s Show, Columbo, Jane the Virgin, Leftovers, Maron, Girls, Insecure — as a rule, I love anything with Robert Patrick or JB Smoove in it too…
I was always drawn to it, my folks were very supportive, and I grew up in the right town. I also acted a lot in middle school and high school and apprenticed with an equity Shakespeare company in my hometown.
As essentially a native to LA (I grew up north about 30 miles) I had a feeling that I was in the right place already for what I wanted to do. And at 17 through a few chance meetings thanks to teachers and parents of other creative people in my hometown, I wound up booking a leading role on the show HUGE in 2010. That was a dream gig that regrettably lasted a season, but got me an agent and left me with a foot in the door. That’s the short story.
Read as much as you can about the brain and psychology. Even if you’re not book smart, any knowledge you retain it will inform how you approach each role differently. Also, f*ck fear.
Last Rampage. See it. On VOD now. Robert Patrick is a monster in it.
I know this is gonna look like an ad but genuinely, I really enjoy the new Star Trek Discovery on CBS All Access right now. It’s really cool and smart and new without being crazy. On Netflix I’m rewatching Jane the Virgin.
JB Smoove/Gina Rodriguez
Instagram! @aristidham @drtv420
Pacific Dining Car
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