20 OCT 2026 · In this episode of The Hollywood Makers, host Valeria sits down with veteran stage and screen actor Andy Umperger. His career began in the regional theaters of Richmond and Washington, DC, took him through Broadway in City of Angels, Passion, and the 25th anniversary revival of Company, and landed him in Los Angeles in 1997. Since then he has become a familiar face on screen, from the demon D’Hoffryn on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (five hours of prosthetics in the makeup chair) to Angel, Waco, and The Accountant.Andy talks about why live theater is still his first love, how he makes quick character choices for guest roles, and why he thinks theater training gives young actors an edge. He also gets into what makes a great villain, what it’s like to be typecast as the FBI agent, the DA, or the judge, and how his definition of success has changed over four decades.They also discuss where the industry is headed: shrinking production in LA, streaming blurring the line between film and TV, and what AI could mean for actors. The episode closes with Andy’s recommendations and his advice for anyone starting out: get used to frustration, keep honing your craft, and persevere.The Hollywood Makers is a space for honest conversations about the evolution of media, technology, and the entertainment industry, spotlighting multicultural creatives, both emerging and experienced, who are shaping what comes next.Thanks for listening, and welcome to the community. Subscribe to The Hollywood Makers on Substack, podcast apps and on YouTube so you never miss an episode, and share this one with a creative in your life. We’ll see you in the next one!🎬Thanks for being here! Subscribe for free to get new posts from Rx MEDIA + CULTURE, and share this with someone who’d enjoy it. 🎬
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