Dan Amboyer can currently be seen starring alongside Rex Lee and Aaron Hartzler in Vicious Mannies, a new web series currently streaming on YouTube. Dan stars as the handsome and charismatic Kenny, a “Manny” who is learning as he goes in his new life in LA.
Photo Credit: Annie Shak
We chat with Dan about what viewers can expect from Vicious Mannies, how this experience filming with the cast and crew has been, and becoming a father for the first time.
Read on for our exclusive interview with Dan Amboyer:
It’s so great to chat with you again! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. You can currently be seen starring in the new YouTube series Vicious Mannies. Can you tell us a little about what viewers can expect from the series and what attracted you to it?
Vicious Mannies is a witty gritty bite-sized comedy about a couple dudes who find themselves “mannying” in Los Angeles as side hustles. Each episode is only about 5 minutes, so it’s a nice jolt of comedy to brighten up a lull in your day or while waiting for your microwave dinner to ding. I had worked previously with Grant Sloss on Younger, which he is a producer and writer on, and he wrote this project too along with Aaron Hartzler. They are two of the funniest guys around, and they make me laugh nonstop, so I definitely wanted to be a part of helping them make you laugh too. I hope.
More specifically, can you tell us a little about your character Kenny and what we can look forward to from him in these first episodes?
Kenny is a sweet, carefree, hot guy. He kinda wants to be an actor, but he’s totally fine if it doesn’t work out. But of course, for that very reason, he’s about to rocket to stardom. Much to the annoyance of many others in LA who are trying to claw their ways up to the top. He’s also straight and a level 1 beginner Manny, unlike the other two guys, so he’s got a bit of a steep learning curve ahead of him.
What are your hopes for your character and the series as it progresses? What would you love to get the chance to see or do in an upcoming episode?
This first season was a bit of a tease, seeing what about the characters is fun to play and write for, where our “chemistry juice” lies, and if there could be something bigger here. I’d like to see the episodes expand a bit more—in length, and also seeing each guy exist in their own worlds outside of their manny fraternity. Do you ever really know a person until you’ve seen the inside of their bedroom on a Tuesday morning?
Dan Amboyer
Photo Credit: Annie Shak
How has the experience been working alongside the cast and crew for Vicious Mannies?
I love this team. That’s why I came from NY to LA to do this. It’s totally the personalities and the guys and the fun we have together. It’s a few folks from the “Younger” team, and I love getting to work with old friends on new projects. Aaron Hartzler has such a refreshing wit and perspective. And Rex Lee (of “Entourage”) is a comedic assassin. And a really lovely man.
You just recently became a first-time father to your son Theodore. Congratulations! How has this experience been for you and your husband?
I adore Theodore beyond all measure. We’ve been hoping and praying for him for years, and I’m still pinching myself that he is finally here. I’ve never known a human who is so consistently good-natured and smiley and happy as my wee man. He brings much light to both of our lives, and we feel a great responsibility to protect that light inside him.
I feel it must also be a bit of a blessing in disguise during the Covid-19 Pandemic to have the opportunity to spend more time at home with family. How have you all been passing the time?
My head and heart still can’t quite fathom all of the loss and sickness that our world is enduring right now. But you’re right, we have been trying to look at the bright side—to have this unexpected bonding time with Theodore. We have been isolated in a cabin in upstate New York for the past 8 weeks, and it’s only been us. I spend every waking moment with Teddy and I love it. We listen to records, take walks in the woods, sing through some of my favorite Disney albums, and just cuddle. He’s grown so much since he’s been up here too. I’ve had to order new clothes online! He’s spent almost half his life in isolation at this point, which is crazy.
What else are you working on? What can your fans look forward to from you next?
Because the world is upside down and no one can say when film and TV (let alone theatre!) will go back into production, I’ve been focusing on a couple personal projects. Just before lockdown, I produced a short film called “Egg Party” which is now in post-production. I’m also in the cast of a couple other projects which will be released this year too.
Make sure to follow my Instagram @danamboyer for more info on those dates. Additionally, I founded an organization with two actor friends called “The Clear Day Project” which is partnering with the Mount Sinai Health System in NYC during this Covid-19 crisis to bring some support and spark a little light in frontline medical workers’ days. You can learn more about that at Cleardayproject.org!
Thank you so much to Dan Amboyer for taking the time to answer some questions for us!
Keep up to date with Dan Amboyer by following him on Twitter and Instagram.
Be sure to check out Vicious Mannies streaming on YouTube!
Connect with Pop City Life on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.