Today we’d like to introduce you to John Ramaine
Hi John, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I do believe that the moves that led me to my current position started as an infant. Things that were beyond my control or any deliberate forward activity were seeds planted that would in time reap a harvest. My mother would take me to the movies even at one month old. I sat quietly with her, she’d tell me, fascinated by the images on the screen. My mother was an artist and she had personal dreams that were fleshed out with films, music and art. She did her best in saturating me with these essential life forces. But life happens when you’re busy making other plans, as it were, and I grew up poor without a father influence supporting these passions. I saw dreams die at home. A sense of toxic reality squeezed me to the point of doubting my existence and purpose. It wasn’t until I reached seventeen that I realized there had to be a way out. Again, movies played a huge part of my direction and caused me to believe again.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No money was available for me to go to college or was there any way for me to step in the direction of where my potential lived. Without an opportunity, I was forced to enroll into the military to simply find a way out of my predicament. Once on my own, I slowly found my way back to the place of purpose and dreams. It was difficult. I couldn’t express them. No one in my family supported my decision to be an actor nor did they understand it. To them it was a pipe dream that would lead to disappointment. By this time, my mother’s dreams were so splintered, she refused to support or bolster up my ambitions. They thought, ‘who was I to believe that my dreams would survive’? I came to New York and realized that everything I wanted was here. But the doors didn’t open for me. It was years of burdensome toil and frustration. I remember, I would find myself walking alone at night on the upper east side in New York City. I would stare at the tall buildings wondering who lived there; I’d look inside the windows of expensive restaurants and see people having fun, laughing, eating well and enjoying each others company; I would see lovers together strolling hand in hand; I’d see people wearing elegant clothes and being the center of attention. I’d see all this and wonder, “How do I get there?” These were images I kept to myself, hoping one day that my positive visualization would manifest into reality. In the process of time the seed that started at year one began to display. My talent rose and people began to notice. Slowly but surely, I started meeting important people who wanted to help me, saw the best in me and supported me with opportunity. My life got better. I worked more and got good notices. I met my wife Julie, moved into a wonderful high rise apartment, began having regular meals (even willfully skipping a few, lol) and most importantly, I found a distinct purpose in how to use the gifting with which I have been entrusted. I am now that man in the upper east side holding my lover’s hand, eating in restaurants, wearing elegant clothes and laughing, all the while knowing where I’ve been and how tough it was to get here. I am thankful every minute of the day. God is faithful and good.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an Actor, I found my purpose. It is a calling not just simply a vocation or a job. I can’t do jobs. I don’t know how. But I do know how to fulfill a purpose that is rooted in the world of the creative influence of which I am present. As mentioned earlier, It has taken me a long time, by the grace of God, to get here. I do not believe in happy accidents. I have been blessed with the favor of influential people who stand by me. In the process of time, I have also discovered to possess a writing talent that people are attracted too. It is selfish though. My passion is acting and I simply write to allow myself to act in the story I have constructed. The stories have been so good that they have granted me this privilege. One such work is a script I have been attached to for some time. I wrote a screenplay based on the escape and suicide of John Wilkes Booth, where I am playing Booth. Despite initial resistance, the clouds have lifted for me to play the role in this multimillion dollar feature. Blue Valor Film, Key Word Films and SWE Films, and their owners Bob Johnston, Derek Michalak and Susan Michels respectively are all on board in the decision of my playing Booth. On a creative point, Booth, a notorious character in history is still a human being to be understood. He is NOT a character who is quiet and resigned. He is NOT aligned to the malaise of a man with no place in history. He imposes himself. He is forceful, and in his mind, though he is not always right, he is never wrong. He is a walking contradiction, complex, yet obvious, possessing few parts. I can’t wait to play him. The companies mentioned above are actually excited about my playing him. There are also some serious moves, as we speak, for the news of this film to be released eminently. Bob Johnston will also be directing the film. I am blessed to have him. There is also another project that is being put together by Blue Valor Films titled, Forever Man. This film will be directed by David Capurso. I wrote that script as well, as a way to keep busy while the main project gets assembled.
Another exciting event, one that has been in the works for quite some time, is now on the verge of being announced. We are still a couple of weeks from this announcement but I’ve been allowed to place a quote here by one of the producers of this film titled, Longshore, a film to be released by a major studio and directed by a major director –
“Who is John Ramaine? One talented actor! I first heard of him when he was doing the play TRIAL ON THE POTOMAC. Based on the raves he received and the recommendation from the producer of that play, I spoke with John and asked if he would be interested in doing a film titled, LONGSHORE. He is now up for a pivotal role of Brian McWilliams, the main villain in the film. The script, written by Ellen Wing, is about the men who ruled the docks in San Francisco.”
As incredible as that is, the journey to see Longshore finally getting to this position has taken a toll. The pandemic held it back considerably. The Actors and Writer’s strikes have also played havoc with the timing. It was still on hold until just recently when the Teamsters finally negotiated a contract with the major studios, so now everything, hopefully, will be smooth sailing. That is my expectation at least.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I live in New York City. So all I can tell you that it’s the Mecca of art, finance and media. The city also has been going through struggles now based on the politics of the times. She is suffering at this moment with high crime, high rent, a disinterested generation and a slowing down of tourism. The chasm between the classes is growing. Theater is hurting and people are afraid to leave their homes at night. But to be honest, I couldn’t live anywhere else. The city captures the imagination of everyone who ever had a dream. It’s a funny thing, there are days you wished you were away from her but then when you are away, you miss her terribly. The city is in your blood and bones or it’s not. Either way, if you live here, you’ll find out soon enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johnramaine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnwbooththeconfession
- Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0707940/
Image Credits
Photos taken by Jonathan Walker and Julie Ramaine
