EXCLUSIVE! Meet Alan Aisenberg – The Latino actor who worked alongside Jennifer Lopez, Jackie Cruz, and More!
You may know him as Wilhelm Rodman, the owner of Rodman’s Brewing company or maybe officer Baxter “Gerber” Bayley, the *spoiler alert* person who took Poussey away from us in Orange is the New Black, but how much do you really know about Alan Aisenberg?
Raised in New Jersey and a graduate of Bergen Technical High School, many are not aware that the 27-year-old actor is Latino. “My folks were both born in Argentina and then came to the US in the late ‘80s and then a few years later my sister and I were born. We spoke mostly Spanish in the house since my parents figured I’d learn English when we were out or in school. Between my parents and my four grandparents from Argentina, it made it really easy to grow up in a house full of hispanic cultural influences,” Aisenberg told LatinaWatch.
He added: “I remember being about four years old and putting on these makeshift shows in our basement with my sister. My parents would get home from a long day of work and I’d sit them down and perform some crazy dance or skit we had come up with and it’s in those moments that I realized I wanted to be an actor. My parents were a fairly captive audience for these shows but they saw it was something I loved to do and were so supportive when I wanted to start taking classes.”
We recently caught up with the talented young star who spoke about his dream collab, that shocking scene in OITNB (*RIP Poussey*), and more.
How challenging was it to get your career started?
I think because I started training and auditioning at such a young age, I have a rose-colored glasses version of the beginning of my career. I remember the fun class shows I did, not the endless list of auditions I didn’t book.
Were your Latino parents supportive of your career in Hollywood?
They were always supportive of me acting and writing and doing anything that I loved. Whether or not it became a career was secondary as long as I enjoyed and felt fulfilled doing it. I think once it started to become a job, as long as it still made me happy and I was paying my bills, they were on board.
I remember being about four years old and putting on these makeshift shows in our basement with my sister.
Who were your idols growing up?
There’s certain comedies I watched when I was young that really clicked for me and I’d rewatch over and over again as a study. Anything with Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell was going to be a classic for me. I’m such a fan of how those actors can go between straight comedy and more dramatic work seamlessly and it’s something I’d love to try and emulate in my career.
You’ve worked alongside some top Hollywood talent! Jennifer Lopez, Jackie Cruz, Dascha Polanco, and Diane Guerrero to name a few! Do you have any idols or stars you would like to collaborate with?
Oh wow, so many! Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston off the top of my head. Again, two performers who can do comedy and drama so brilliantly. Greta Gerwig and Oliva Wilde made two of my favorite movies of last year and I would love to be part of something of theirs.
Have you ever gotten any hate for being the villain on OITNB and killing Poussey?
People post comments online or yell at me on the street but I know it’s because of how impactful that storyline was. Because of the work Samira [Wiley] had done in the seasons leading up to that faithful arc, we as an audience really loved Poussey and saw her as more than a character on a TV show. And to see her taken away, in a manner that is a mirror to what is happening in society, really broke people’s hearts. I was a small cog in that machine and I’m very grateful to have been a part of it.
How has it been working on your own Netflix series, Brews Brothers?
It’s the best job I’ve ever had. The Schaffer Brothers, who created the show, are truly heroes of mine and to get to be part of a show with them is a dream. It’s my first time being a series regular on a show and with that comes the comfort of knowing you’re going to have multiple episodes to play and build a character. The scripts for that show were so funny and those guys gave us so much room to improvise and be in the moment and just mess around. I’ve never had a job with that much freedom and trust. It’s also the most wonderfully disgusting show and you shouldn’t watch it if you have a weak stomach. Strap in.
To see her taken away, in a manner that is a mirror to what is happening in society, really broke people’s hearts.
What has been your favorite role so far?
Probably Bayley on Orange. It was so cool to come into this established show and get to baby step my way into their process. I was supposed to do an episode and ended up getting to be there for 3 seasons. I was lucky enough to build a comfort with entire cast and crew. I loved that I got to be comedic relief for a season and a half and just be silly and improvise. And then I love that I got thrown into the deep-end and got to do dark difficult dramatic work for the first time in my life. That role was truly the best of both worlds.
What advice do you have for young aspiring Latinx actors?
There’s never been a better time to make things on your own. Make a short film, write a play, whatever. Get your 10,000 hours in so that you’re constantly getting better at your craft. Also, journal. Every night. You’ll be surprised the things your subconscious picks up on and wants to get out of your head. Journaling every night will open you up as a performer and a human.
What was it like working with JLo?
Everything you’d imagine. The PH in the room changes when she walks in. It was fascinating and inspiring to spend three months by her side and see how purposeful and specific she is with every minute of the day and the work that she does.