The Road to Success: Actress Debby Gerber
Meet Debby gerber
“I came here knowing no one and nothing about acting or the industry and truly worked myself up with patience, passion and faith in my heart!”
-Debby Gerber
Born and raised in Switzerland, Debby Gerber moved to Los Angeles in 2009, where she began to study acting at the Stella Adler Academy of Theatre and Acting in Hollywood.
Now a proud US Citizen, she worked hard on her accent to the point where she can speak accent-free American English. A smart move that has helped her book more roles. In addition, being bilingual can definitely be an asset in the world of film.
Her now blooming Hollywood career started out with student films and films without pay. She also did background acting work and served as a stand-in and photo double for Amy Adams (Sharp Objects and Night, Bitch – coming soon), Jessica Chastain (X-Men), Rose Leslie (The Last Witch Hunter), Sarah Paulson and Lady Gaga (both on American Horror Story), Amy Poehler (The House) and many more.
Debby is one of those aspiring actresses who don’t give up. She continuously develops herself gaining more experience and credits to be able to work as a full-time actress. Remarkable, considering that she came to the U.S. not knowing anyone or anything about acting or the industry. What is the secret of her success? Patience, passion, and faith!
Fast forward to today, the prolific actress is working on various new and amazing film and TV projects further described below.
Most intriguing are the following two film projects she is working on at the same time portraying completely different characters in a sci-fi film and a 40’s themed film, Debby explains.
Farthest Space: Flight of the Valkyrie
writer/Director Ryan Pollard// Producer Tristan Baumgardner
“I play the Female Lead, fun sci fi film much like Star Wars or Guardians of the Galaxy where I portray Sani Reykhaven. Characteristics are white long hair and silver skin. She’s a skilled fighter, tough, rugged and First Mate of the Valkyrie, a space ship that is used as a smuggler vessel to steal goods for the less fortunate. She’s not Human.”
Farthest Space
Debby Gerber as Sani Reykhaven
Photo Credit: Victoria Marinova
A motive for murder
A MOTIVE FOR MURDER (Writer/Director Michael Sheets) is being filmed at the same time as Farthest Space, only here Debby portrays a glamorous and famous actress in the 40s with the name Lola Haywood who is being blackmailed and makes a sad discovery about her sister.
Photo Credit: Debby Gerber
Read our below interview with Debby and find out whom she would love to meet for dinner, who she is grateful to, how she wants to be remembered and more.
Who or what influenced you to become an actress?
It's really a long story, but in short, I never planned to become an Actress. I came to LA with a student visa to study English and took some acting classes 'for fun' before I'd go back to Switzerland and start University for social work. But that never happened. My teachers at the Stella Adler Academy like Tim McNeil, a known Writer, director and Actor and the Head of School John Jack Rodgers encouraged me to extend and train more as they saw talent in me. Talent I didn't know I had because I had never acted before... The school eventually offered me a partial scholarship so I was able to stay and extend and graduated after 2 years! I started my career very slowly from the bottom up.
What was your first film or TV role?
One of my first films was a student film. We shot scenes from Good Will Hunting.
My first bigger movie that is now on Amazon Prime and PureFlix was actually a faith-based film called 'Hope for the Holidays' where I play Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland's character's younger version. I booked that role because I drove to Sacramento for the audition (before self tapes.) That's a 5 hour drive... and I initially auditioned for a different role. Then as I was about to head back to LA, the director called me if I was still close by and if I could come back. I did. He had me cold read for another role and he asked me if I can nail an American accent. I said yes. I did the second audition, unprepared, and drove back to LA. A few days later I got the call that I got that part!
What is your favorite movie?
The Lord of The Rings Series. It just grabbed me like no other film ever did. The magic of that world, the story telling, the characters. I was so amazed by all of it.
If you could have dinner with any person in the world, who would it be and why?
Jessica Chastain. Even though I have met her and worked with her, it was too brief to actually have a full conversation, she was busy on set. I admire her and she's definitely my Acting Idol. She just so happens to be a redhead too but that is not why. I admire her career, her choices in characters, her choices as the character and how she remains so humble and kind despite all of her well-deserved success. I would love to get to know her better, how she started (I know some of it) and what drives her, how she prepares for roles etc.
How would you like to be remembered?
Hopefully as someone kind and humble who tried to spread love in her work but also in her personal life. I work extremely hard and sacrifice a lot but it is important to me to always be kind to everyone and treat everyone on set (and off) with the same amount of respect. Hierarchy should not matter, we're all the same. I try to shine my little light in a dark industry and can hopefully make a little change from the inside.
Is there any particular person you are grateful for who helped you either in the industry or in life in general?
Above All: God. I would not be here, in CA, doing what I do, having been so protected and guided in an industry where young women often get taken advantage of, if it wasn't for my heavenly Father. I received a Prophecy at age 18 that God was calling me to go to California. At the time, I thought it would be for fun. I just recently came to the realization, after now being here for almost 14 years, that God's calling for my life is to use my voice in this industry for his Kingdom!
And also, my parents, who are still in Switzerland. Without their never-ending support, guidance, help and love I wouldn't have lasted this long in the States. And they did it all even though they wanted me closer to them... but they knew in their hearts that this was my calling and they were willing and able to let me go. I have a deep connection and bond with them that I am forever grateful for!
Are you involved in any charity organization or humanitarian cause you would like to talk about?
I sponsor a 4 year old child named 'Blessing' in Uganda, Africa, through 'Compassion' (compassion.com).
Since my plan was to become a social worker, people, especially the less fortunate ones, have always been in my heart. I am now also looking into volunteering at the Dream Center in LA which helps people facing hardships to support and transform their lives.
Learn more about other projects Debby has worked on recently.
Blue Baby
Currently in post-production and looking for distribution is Blue Baby by Martins Samuel, based on a true story about a father fighting for his son’s life. Debby plays one of the Leading Characters, Dr. Hall, who in real life was a man in his 50s but they believed in her abilities so much they re-wrote the role for her.
Poster Photo Credit: Alex Ekeh
L O V E D
Loved is a multi-award-winning short film thriller written and directed by D.J. Higgins and produced by Holly Lake Films / Joseph Sernio who also plays the lead character Harold.
Debby played the lead character’s wife for which she won the Best Actress Award at the New Jersey Film Festival.
Photo Credit: Christian Boho
She was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Brightside Tavern Film Festival. Loved is currently in the festival circuit winning multiple awards.
For more on Loved see our recent film review here Loved Film Review and watch the trailer (link above).
The Walk
In The Walk by Adam Jung and Chang Park, Debby plays the female lead portraying two characters. One is a young mother struggling with drug addiction, the other is a homeless woman who plays an important part in helping two men find what they’re looking for.
Watch the Walk on Amazon
Further projects include Deep Within by Scott Michael Branan, a Proof of Concept shot in January/February in Florida, Hope for the Holidays (Writer/Director Ricky Borba) where she has a supporting role as the younger version of Academy Award Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland’s character, B Positive, a CBS Sitcom created by Chuck Lorre, and Pastor Wars, where she’ll play one of the female leading roles.
The road to success in Hollywood is a long and winding one, everyone taking it can tell you. Those who make it have applied persistence and followed their heart even during difficult times. Debby Gerber is one of those actresses who love their job not because they want to be famous but because they love what they do and stay the course taking every opportunity to excel that may lead to the desired successful ending.
Follow Debby on Social Media here
FB: https://www.facebook.com/debbyjgerber
IMDB: www.imdb.me/debbygerber