NBC's "St. Denis Medical" star Josh Lawson on the Art of TV Comedy

Navigating a Difficult Job MarketThe pilot episode of St Denis Medical first filmed nearly two years ago just before the WGA and SAGAFTRA labor strikes that paused productions in Hollywood for nearly six months During our conversation Lawson expressed immense gratitude for securing a role and ensemble he quickly came to love quotGetting the jobamp8230 in a world and a time when work is becoming increasingly more difficult to get I feel relief gratitudequot he shares When we asked about his experience with the critical praise for the series and fan reception he admitted he chooses to not focus on it quotI don39t read reviews or anything like that I stay completely oblivious to all that stuff I39m not on social media so I don39t see anything therequot he admitsHaving learned amp8220the hard wayamp8221 as he described it Josh prioritizes mental wellbeing over external opinions acknowledging that he lacks the emotional resilience to endure the constant scrutiny that comes with public visibility quotI just realized either I was going to have a mental breakdown and stay on social media or I was going to get off it and just admit that ignorance was bliss and I39m glad that I didquotST DENIS MEDICAL quotNobody Even Mentions the Browniesquot Episode 111 Pictured Josh Lawson as Dr Bruce Photo by Ron BatzdorffNBCTransitioning from Australia to HollywoodJoshamp8217s journey began in his childhood acting from the age of eight in his hometown of Brisbane Queensland His early career aspirations were shaped by his love for American sitcoms Golden Girls Family Ties Cheers Married With Children that was my era I just loved that worldquotDetermined to make it to Hollywood he pursued formal training at the National Institute of Dramatic Art NIDA and leveraged his education to gain representation His breakthrough came with the Australian improvbased comedy show Thank God You39re Here which gave him the momentum to set up meetings in Los Angeles However his timing coincided with the 2008 writeramp8217s strike quotI landed on the day of the writer39s strikeamp8230amp8221 he laughed amp8220Hollywood shut down That was my beginning in Hollywoodquot Despite this rocky start he persisted staying in Los Angeles for 15 years continuously auditioning and working his way into the industryCareer Trajectories and Unexpected SetbacksLike many actors Josh assumed that once he started booking roles his career would follow a linear upward trajectory quotI always expected that once I started to work it would only go in one directionquot he says quotI was illprepared for the dropquot When work became scarce he grappled with the harsh realities of an unpredictable industry quotIt39s erratic it39s unpredictable The drop is not personal It39s just the way the industry worksquotDuring these career lulls he contemplated alternative paths quotAt some point it39s about survival You have to have a roof over your head and put food on the tablequot Teaching became a viable option quotI could start to teach I wouldn39t have to leave the industry entirely but I could still talk about this thing that I lovedquot Even now he enjoys mentoring students describing it as a rewarding experience that keeps him connected to his passion for storytellingST DENIS MEDICAL quotListen to Your Ladybugsquot Episode 114 Pictured Josh Lawson as Dr Bruce Photo by NBCBalancing Drama and Comedy on St Denis MedicalWhile there are subtle and relatable hilarious moments on St Denis Medical whether it39s the overbearing boss or the coworker who is just running out the clock at work the series shares its heartfelt moments to cap off most episodes amp8220Comedies today that don39t explore that balance can seem a little old fashionedamp8221 Lawson shared amp8220It feels like audiences now really need a bit more of a spectrum of genre even within a comedy You very rarely go to a hospital on your best day You39re often there on your worst day for lots of reasons so a hospital setting is perfect for that balance because you know the misadventures of the staff and the administrationamp8221Lawsonamp8217s advice to young actors serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of balance and perspective amp8220Make sure you find something else to love as muchamp8221 he shares emphasizing how vital it is to have passions beyond acting amp8220This industry is abusiveamp8230 it doesnamp8217t mean to be It just isamp8221 Reflecting on his own journey he encourages actors to embrace the world beyond their craft assuring that it will not only enrich their lives but also make them better performers And in a final gem of wisdom he adds amp8220Talk to old people amp8230 They are amazing instructors of the human conditionamp8221Watch our full conversation with Josh Lawson on YouTube or tune in Spotify Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts

Click to Make Your 2025 Contribution to Support the MediaVillage Education Foundation

NBC's "St. Denis Medical" star Josh Lawson on the Art of TV Comedy

Author

Publish date

Channel

Juan Ayala

Empowering Women in Media: Insights from Industry Leaders (Video) - By E.B. Moss

More Videos:

Click to Make Your 2025 Contribution to Support the MediaVillage Education Foundation

NBC's "St. Denis Medical" star Josh Lawson on the Art of TV Comedy

Enjoying This Commentary? There's More to Love

Juan Ayala

TAGS:

Empowering Women in Media: Insights from Industry Leaders (Video) - By E.B. Moss

The payment was successful

Cookies