For actor, writer, director and producer KP Phagnasay, storytelling has been a part of his life since childhood. Born in Laos, he grew up surrounded by family traditions that included singing, storytelling and dramatic performances at festivals and gatherings. Traditional shadow puppetry also left a lasting impression, helping spark his interest in creativity and eventually leading him toward a career in entertainment.
Today, Phagnasay has built a diverse career that takes him both in front of and behind the camera, with appearances in productions including Netflix’s Dahmer: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, where he portrays Quang Pham, a member of the Théâtre des Vampires.
Outside of acting, Phagnasay is equally passionate about helping others find their way into the industry. Through KP1 Studios, his teaching and production company, he works with aspiring performers and filmmakers, offering instruction, coaching and mentorship. His philosophy is straightforward: develop your craft, understand your worth and don’t wait for someone else to create an opportunity. We recently spoke with Phagnasay about his journey from Laos to Hollywood, bringing a vampire to life, portraying characters connected to real world tragedy, the importance of Lao American representation and what it takes to build a lasting career in entertainment. We also asked him to share five horror movies that helped shape his love for the genre.
TRULY DISTURBING: You were born in Laos and eventually found your way into the American entertainment industry. What first sparked your interest in acting?
KP PHAGNASAY: I’ve always loved storytelling. I come from a long line of storytellers, and my father was part of that old school tradition of singing and sharing stories at festivals and family gatherings. I loved sitting around and listening, especially during festivals where we would see dramatic performances and shadow puppetry. I was fascinated by that entire world.
That early exposure helped me develop a love for creativity, imagination and storytelling. Acting gave me a way to share those stories, whether I was standing in front of the camera or working behind it.
TRULY DISTURBING: Many people view acting as an escape, allowing them to step outside their everyday lives and explore different personalities. Has it provided that kind of experience for you?
KP PHAGNASAY: Absolutely. Acting isn’t simply about pretending to be someone else. It’s about becoming that person and living in the moment. You have to understand and empathize with the character’s journey.
As an actor, you’re helping bring a writer’s or playwright’s vision to life. You take what they’ve created and add your own interpretation, a little personal flavor that makes the character unique. That’s what I love about it. I can play a doctor one day, a mobster the next and an assassin after that. Every project gives me the opportunity to wear a different hat and explore another perspective.
Acting is also about relationships. You’re connecting with other performers, the cast and crew, and everyone involved in bringing a story together. A writer has a vision, a director and crew work to realize it, and the actors get to collaborate within that world. That’s one of the things I enjoy most about filmmaking.
TRULY DISTURBING: Has taking on different roles ever allowed you to discover something about yourself that you didn’t know was there?
KP PHAGNASAY: Every project and every character brings a new discovery. You’re constantly tapping into different emotions and experiences. Some roles take you on an emotional roller coaster, while others require you to explore completely different relationships and circumstances.
Going from one character to another, especially something as different as playing a vampire, challenges you in new ways. I look at actors as a blank canvas. The script and the director’s vision provide the blueprint, but it’s our job to bring that picture to life. Every role gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself, and that’s what I’ve come to appreciate most about the process.
TRULY DISTURBING: I loved your work on AMC’s Interview with the Vampire. You appeared in six of the eight episodes during Season 2 as Quang Pham, a member of the Théâtre des Vampires. What was it like stepping into that supernatural world?
KP PHAGNASAY: It was a great opportunity, especially because the show is based on such a well-known book. Quang has his own history and backstory, and the writers did an amazing job developing the characters and their relationships.
Within the Théâtre des Vampires, Quang is one of the key members of the coven, working alongside Santiago (Ben Daniels) and the other performers. It was very interesting to explore those dynamics, but one of the biggest highlights was getting to work with such an incredible ensemble.
Many of the actors came from British theater backgrounds, which was something I could relate to through my own experience. I was one of the few American actors, with much of the cast coming from Britain and other parts of the world, including Vietnamese performers. It created a wonderful ensemble atmosphere.
When you’ve worked in theater, you understand the feeling of being part of a company. You get to know one another, challenge each other and build something together. That collaborative spirit was a big part of what made the experience so rewarding. And, of course, getting to work in a world filled with vampires made it even more exciting.
TRULY DISTURBING: Vampires have been part of horror storytelling for generations. Interview with the Vampire approaches the mythology through complicated relationships, identity and the darker aspects of human nature. What did you find most interesting about the show’s interpretation?
KP PHAGNASAY: I don’t necessarily look at my character as a vampire first. I see him as a human being who walks among us. He’s trying to survive and live his life, just like anyone else.
At the same time, there are these extraordinary powers that allow vampires to manipulate others, take control and feed. That’s an interesting balance to explore as an actor. You have to find the human side of the character while understanding what makes him something entirely different.
TRULY DISTURBING: Comparing your work on Dahmer: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story with Interview with the Vampire, you’re exploring two very different forms of horror. One is rooted in real events, while the other takes place in a supernatural world. How do you approach those roles, especially when the subject matter can be emotionally demanding?
KP PHAGNASAY: With Dahmer, you’re dealing with an actual person and a real family’s story. I’m Lao, so I was familiar with the history and the community. I did a lot of research on the father, reading articles and learning as much as I could about what happened.
When I approached the character, I thought about my own uncles, relatives and people I knew who had gone through similar journeys. As someone who experienced the refugee journey, I was also able to draw from parts of my own life. It became an emotional process because I was bringing all those personal connections together to build one character.
The approach is similar when playing a vampire, although the circumstances are completely different. You research the character, develop a backstory and try to understand the relationships that shaped him. With Interview with the Vampire, I wanted to understand his family history, why he was turned and what motivated his decisions. His relationship with his parents and his eventual decision to return to his father were important parts of understanding that character.
Every role has a human element. Whether you’re playing someone from a real life tragedy or a supernatural creature, you have to find something emotionally recognizable within that character. It’s about empathizing with their journey.
TRULY DISTURBING: As a Lao American performer, how important is representation in today’s entertainment industry? Are there stories and perspectives from your community that you feel Hollywood still needs to explore?
KP PHAGNASAY: There aren’t many Lao actors working in the industry, at least not as prominently as performers from some of the other Asian American communities. There are Chinese American, Korean American and many other talented performers, but Lao representation is still relatively rare.
We have so many stories to share, and that’s what makes the entertainment industry exciting. People are writing those stories and finding ways to bring them to audiences. But sometimes you can’t wait for someone else to create those opportunities. You have to create them yourself.
Being Laotian and working as an actor means a great deal to me. It’s rare to see a long Laotian name in the credits, and sometimes names are changed. I’m proud of where I come from and what I represent. As an artist, I represent a community through the work I do and the stories I tell.
Ultimately, those are human stories. Whatever character I take on, I want to bring that human element to the audience.
TRULY DISTURBING: That brings us to your work with KP1 Studios. Having experienced the entertainment industry yourself, what are some of the biggest misconceptions aspiring actors and filmmakers have about getting started? Do you think talented people sometimes hold themselves back because they don’t know where to find help or how to pursue opportunities?
KP PHAGNASAY: The first thing to understand is that this is a business. That’s why it’s called show business. There is an incredible amount of talent out there that hasn’t been discovered or given the opportunity to be seen. That doesn’t make those performers any less valuable than someone who has reached the A-list or B-list.
Through our work with students, we teach, coach and mentor. We’re there to help people grow, challenge themselves and become better at what they do. I’m not competing against another actor. I’m competing against myself. I want to do the best work I can, and if someone feels I’m right for an opportunity, that’s wonderful. If not, I understand that there are business decisions involved.
People sometimes look at someone without much experience and assume they aren’t ready. But you have to give people opportunities to prove themselves. When you challenge someone, they might rise to the occasion and surprise you. That’s part of what this industry is about.
You also have to be prepared. You can’t spend your time waiting around for that one big opportunity. When the opportunity comes, you need to be ready to take it and, just as importantly, maintain that standard. Getting your foot in the door is one thing. Showing people what you can do and continuing to deliver is another.
TRULY DISTURBING: You’ve worked across acting, directing, writing, producing and teaching. Is there a particular kind of story or project you’re hoping to tackle next?
KP PHAGNASAY: As creatives, we’re always looking toward the next project. That’s our next big challenge. Whatever genre or acting opportunity comes along, that’s what I focus on. Every project becomes the next opportunity to challenge myself.
People ask Tom Brady which Super Bowl or championship ring is his favorite, and the answer is always the next one. I look at acting the same way. What’s the dream role? The next one. What’s the next great opportunity? The next one.
We all want to think ahead, but we can only work with what’s in front of us right now. That’s how we build toward what’s coming. Everyone has a different journey, and mine has always been about knowing what I want while remaining patient.
I also know my value and what I can bring to a production. Ultimately, the decision belongs to the production, the director or whoever is making the call. That’s part of the business. But I will never undervalue who I am or what I’m worth.
TRULY DISTURBING: Before we wrap up, what advice would you give aspiring actors or anyone considering a career in the entertainment industry? Should they just go for it?
KP PHAGNASAY: It’s a cliché, but you never give up. That’s the honest truth. I always say that if you’re going to fall, never fall backward. Fall forward. Don’t go backward. Keep pushing ahead.
A mistake doesn’t have to define you. You can learn from it, discover something through the process and turn it into something worthwhile. That’s something I teach my actors. When someone makes a mistake and apologizes, I tell them not to apologize. Make something out of it. Find a way forward.
You have to make a commitment and develop a strong work ethic. Nothing happens instantly. Believe in what you do and believe in yourself. You’re in this industry for a purpose, and if you don’t understand what that purpose is yet, take the time to figure it out. It’s a long journey, and it can be a dog eat dog world.
But if you understand who you are and recognize your own value, you can keep moving forward. Just keep doing the work. Don’t wait. Create.
TRULY DISTURBING: We couldn’t let you go without asking one last question. What are your five favorite horror movies?
KP PHAGNASAY: That’s a tough one! I love the old school classics, starting with the black and white Frankenstein. I also love the Friday the 13th series. Those movies are great.
I have to include Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. I’ve always loved psychological horror and suspense thrillers. A lot of people enjoy gore, but I’m drawn to the psychological side of horror and the suspense Hitchcock brought to his films.
I’d also pick The Shining. I don’t know if everyone considers it horror, but I love its supernatural atmosphere. It’s a solid, spooky movie.
For my fifth choice, I’d go with the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre from 1974. I grew up watching these movies, and I still love them. There’s nothing wrong with newer horror, but I especially enjoy the older stories and the suspense. Those films are classics. They helped establish the tone for what came afterward.
There’s a lot of great horror out there, including films from other countries and cultures. Korean and Japanese ghost stories are fascinating, and many Southeast Asian stories are rooted in spiritual beliefs and traditional ghost lore. Those traditions are closely connected to people’s lives and backgrounds, and they’re wonderful sources of storytelling.
At the end of the day, it’s all about telling a story and getting a reaction from the audience. If you can make someone jump out of their seat, you’ve made your point.
We’d like to thank KP for taking the time to speak with us. We truly appreciate the work he continues to do to support and encourage others in the acting community, including his teaching and courses in Fresno. From what we’ve heard, KP doesn’t turn away anyone who is genuinely willing to learn, put in the hard work and preparation, and pursue their goals. He also wants to see his students take that next step, believe in themselves, and really go for it.
We have a strong feeling that KP and the many projects he has on the horizon will keep us entertained in front of our television and movie theater screens for years to come. We wish him continued success, both in front of the camera and in the classroom.