Filmmakers Connect is thrilled to honor Brooke Lewis Bellas as our Artist of the Month for September. Brooke has recently garnered the Best Actress in a Comedy award at the prestigious Actors Awards for her standout performance as Jules in the TV comedy Stripped. This recognition is the latest in a series of accolades that underscore Brooke's remarkable talent, versatility, and enduring presence in the entertainment industry.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and nurtured by the vibrant energy of the Jersey shore, Brooke Lewis Bellas has always had an undeniable passion for the arts. From a young age, she harbored dreams of becoming an actress, a dream that has not only come to fruition but has also blossomed into an illustrious career filled with notable achievements.
Brooke's early years in the industry saw her making waves on the East Coast. After moving to New York City, she quickly landed her first significant role as Donna Marsala in the Actors' Equity Off-Broadway hit comedy Tony n' Tina's Wedding. Her success in New York was only the beginning, as she soon set her sights on Hollywood, where she continued to expand her horizons and cement her place in the film and television industry.
Photo credit: Roger A. Scheck
Her career has been marked by a diverse range of roles, from the mystery thriller iMurders opposite Billy Dee Williams and Gabrielle Anwar, to the mobster movie Sinatra Club with Michael Nouri, and the thriller Polycarp opposite Charles Durning. Her "Ms. Vampy" comedic mobster Vampire alter ego character has also garnered her a cult following, showcasing her ability to bring humor and depth to every character she portrays.
Brooke's latest success comes from her role as Jules in Stripped, a television comedy that has taken the festival circuit by storm. The series tells the story of Chris Cameron, a once-golden TV star who, after serving a prison sentence, is forced to start over in the entertainment industry. Under the guidance of his unconventional publicist, Jules, played by Brooke, Chris navigates the ups and downs of reclaiming his former glory, all while moonlighting as a stripper in one of LA's most exclusive clubs.
Brooke's portrayal of Jules is both humorous and heartfelt, capturing the complexity of a character who is equal parts savvy, supportive, and sharp-tongued. Her performance has not only earned her the Best Actress in a Comedy award but also contributed to the television series' Best Ensemble win at the Actors Awards. Stripped is a testament to Brooke's ability to shine in any role, whether it be drama, thriller, or comedy. The team at the Actors Awards confirmed that she can make them laugh in comedy and scared in thrillers!
Photo credit: Paul Smith
Brooke Lewis Bellas is not just an actress; she is a force in the entertainment industry. Her work has been recognized with multiple Telly Awards, a B-Movie Award for Scream Queen of the Year, and a plethora of honors from prestigious festivals and organizations. From being an active philanthropist to serving as a judge for the Emmy Awards and the Gracie Awards, Brooke's contributions extend beyond the screen.
Her accolades include the Mary Pickford Award for Women in the Film Arts, the Stella Adler Acting Award, and the Grace Kelly Gold Actor Award. In 2020, she was celebrated in the historical commemorative book 1000 Women in Horror, 1895-2018, and in 2021, she was inducted into the Phillytainment PA Celebrity Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was inducted into The WorldFilmGeek Hall of Fame in 2024.
Brooke's career has been defined by her versatility and commitment to her craft, and her recent success in Stripped is yet another chapter in a story that continues to inspire. We at Filmmakers Connect are proud to celebrate her achievements and look forward to watching her career soar to even greater heights.
Brooke Lewis Bellas in "Stripped"
Brooke, congratulations on your recent win for Best Actress in a Comedy at the Actors Awards! How does it feel to receive such recognition for your role in Stripped?
First, please allow me to thank the prestigious and generous Actors Awards and Jury, once again! As an honored alumni over many years, the Actors Awards is such a special Awards event to me. I feel so very blessed to be a part of the Actors Awards alumni family, and I have watched tremendous actors and acting talent be acknowledged by the Actors Awards. Over the years, I have been honored by the Actors Awards for ‘Best Actress’, ‘Best Actress in a Drama’, and even ‘Best Villain’ (which I love, because it makes a statement that women can craft wonderful “Villainess” characters too!). I cherish them all, but this ‘Best Actress in a Comedy’ Award for Stripped was completely unexpected, and a win that I will be forever grateful for! A lot of people do not know that I began my career in comedy and musical theatre comedy, and I love performing in comedic roles so very much. I have been fortunate to become “known” throughout my career for my acting work in horror, thrillers, and mobster movie genres, but there is something so gratifying in making others laugh or smile. There is an added challenge to hit your comedic beats, while still creating meaningful layers to a character. Secondly, I am only as good as the writing on the page and the direction I am given, so I am incredibly grateful for the role of Jules that Marc Clebanoff wrote for me, and proud of the work I put into crafting this character. Stripped and Jules have been, thankfully, well-received by test audiences, and I will, humbly, remember this experience and winning the Actors Awards throughout the rest of my career!
Stripped has been a big hit, winning both Best Ensemble and Best Actress awards. What drew you to the character of Jules, and how did you approach bringing her to life?
Stripped is such a special project in so many ways, and for so many reasons. Stripped is a TV series (and a TV pilot) that one of my producing partners, the very talented Marc Clebanoff, created, and we first filmed just before the pandemic in 2020. The concept for Stripped was originally created by writer and director, Marc Clebanoff, and his writing partner, the late Hollywood star, Kristoff St. John (may he Rest in Peace). Marc, Frank Krueger, and I partnered as executive producers and producers for this series, which included me acting in the role of Jules that Marc wrote for me to play. For any actor who has been fortunate enough to have had a role written for them, I am certain they will tell you that there is nothing better than having a role created for you, your acting strengths, your essence, and your abilities. Marc believed in me and my comedic abilities to play Jules and gave me very specific direction for this character. I was drawn to the character of Jules in every way, and I truly fell in love with playing her, as actors sometimes do! Jules is so much fun with her sassy attitude, her fearlessness, her crazy approach to being a publicist, yet, she still maintains a good heart, and these are the characters I love to play. Marc gave me strong direction to bring Jules to life by tapping into the real and authentic sassy, mouthy, quirky, and funny sides of ME! I could have easily made the choice to take a more over-the-top approach to this comedic character, but Marc directed me to bring her to life in a very real way, and I am so grateful he did! All these components make Stripped even more special to me. The writing is hysterical and smart, Marc’s direction exceptional, and the entire cast is extraordinary! Too many to mention, but I was surrounded by acting veteran greats, like our star Casper Van Dien, Louis Mandylor, Larry Hankin, and Susan Lanier to an all-around super talented cast. Talk about a draw!
You've had such a diverse career, from thrillers like iMurders to comedies like Stripped. How do you choose your roles, and what excites you most about a new project?
I love this question, because I feel like, had you asked me this 20 years ago, my answer would be quite different than it is now. Early in my career, I chose acting roles that would, hopefully, in some way, create a more established space for me as an actress in the industry. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to make a living acting right out of college, and to have exceptional agent representation, so I would gravitate toward roles for vanity purposes, financial benefit, or ones that my agents would push me toward. I needed to choose roles for which I would have the opportunity to act opposite “Name” actors to create credibility for myself as an actress. Today, as a “mature” and more seasoned actress, who has already been through the blood, sweat, and tears of the industry, and has also learned from my mistakes by choosing roles that may not have been the best fit for me at times, I choose my acting roles through my inspiration and professionalism. I get excited by quality over quantity… to work on quality projects with quality people… people with similar creative values to mine. I choose projects on which I get to work with other professionals who have passion for their projects. I love working with more established and talented creatives than I, as they only help to lift me up and make me better. I have said it 1,000 times, and will say it again… It all begins with the writing and script. My acting is only as good as the words on the page and the direction I am given. I also learned at a young age in this business that I am a “character actress”, and this is something I have become quite proud of. I love to sink my fangs into meaty character roles with depth and layers. I get really excited when I read a script and the role I am being offered is not one dimensional, but has many different sides to her, as that art imitates the reality of life. Like many established actors in the industry, I also get excited when I have the opportunity to work with friends or creatives I have worked with in the past, as it builds a certain energy and groove. It is always fantastic to be directed by directors with whom I have previously worked, as they know how to bring out my strengths as an actress.
Your journey from Philadelphia to New York and eventually Hollywood is inspiring. How did your early experiences in these cities shape you as an artist?
Thank you, as I only hope my journey inspires other artists in some way! Growing up in Philadelphia gave me my “Philly Chick” roots, sass, street smarts, and taught me how to be scrappy. You really need to be a bit scrappy to navigate the entertainment business, especially when you do not come from an entertainment business family. Philly is like a mini-New York and offers so much culture, diversity, artistry, and raw creative experiences. I took my first acting classes, performed in my first black box theatre, and earned my way into the Actors’ Equity Association union in Philadelphia. My journey continued to New York, directly out of college, and this is where I believe I gained my greatest acting training and learned the rough ins and outs of the entertainment industry. I feel as though New York City, theatre, and the indie film scene really instilled the raw authenticity of becoming an actor in me. Acting in Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, seven shows a week for three years, was my greatest class in teaching me improv as an actress! New York offered me the opportunity to become a “working” actor for all my years there. I think New York has some of the greatest acting talent and education in the world (I know, London too!). I feel like Philadelphia shaped me as a person, and New York shaped me as an artist. As we all know, Hollywood is a whole different game! I have lived here for over 20 years, so I must love it. That said, Hollywood really shaped me as far as teaching me about the “business” of “The Business” and made me understand how we are a “commodity” as actors. It greatly shaped me as a producer and showed me a whole other side of the industry. New York is very much about the art and craft of what we do, while Hollywood is truly about the business and the importance of making money. In this business, I stand firm on my belief that New York looks much more for true artists, while Hollywood seeks out performers who are lucky or talented enough to be a “Moneymaker” in the industry. I have had a long and wild acting journey from Philadelphia to New York to Hollywood, and I feel blessed to have experienced each of these creative cities!
You've worked alongside some incredible talents throughout your career. Can you share a particularly memorable experience or lesson learned from a fellow actor?
Pinch me please, as I am now reflecting on my career and experiences working alongside incredible talents! Sometimes, I think back and can hardly believe it myself. Tracking way back, I was consumed with my career and pounding the New York City pavements every day! I was going through a period of acting and audition overload and burnout. A lesson I learned from a fellow actor that resonates with me to this day, was a gift from the brilliant Tony Award-winning actor in RENT, Wilson Jermaine Heredia. I was blessed to meet Wilson when I had moved to New York and was performing in Tony n’ Tina 's Wedding Off-Broadway, while he was performing in RENT on Broadway. I will never forget us grabbing dinner one night after our shows had let out and having a deep conversation about acting and the industry, when he shared how he stays inspired. I remember his words of wisdom and the lesson I learned, as he told me that he makes sure he does something outside of the industry each day, so he is able to draw creativity and humanity from those outside experiences to bring them into his art and performances. This is how he keeps his creativity fresh without burning out or becoming stagnant. He taught me that we have to find interests outside of the business, so it does not consume our every waking moment, and that there is a whole life outside of acting. He taught me that a true artist needs an outside world to feed off of and be inspired by. I remember it like it was yesterday, and I am grateful to share this. Wilson and I are still friends and have been fortunate to work together on a few projects over many years.
Stripped explores the challenges of starting over in Hollywood. Have you ever faced a moment in your career where you felt like you had to start from scratch, and how did you overcome it?
I think almost every actor faces the challenge of starting over in Hollywood, and reviving, a few times throughout their career. I know I have faced many moments where I felt like I had to start from scratch, and the only way to overcome it is to remember my mantra… Be You, And Be Fearless! I feel like I established a stellar career and was signed with a top-tier agency in New York City when I was young, but in many ways had to start from scratch when I moved to Hollywood, as I did not have the extensive television résumé that a lot of young actors who had moved right to Hollywood had. The top-tier agency I was with in New York was not interested in representing me in Hollywood, as, again, I did not have an extensive television résumé, so I was not a commodity in the Hollywood TV world. As I mentioned earlier, I began my career in comedy, then broke out as a “famous” horror, thriller “Scream Queen” when I moved to Hollywood, so in many ways that “revamped” my career and it was like starting from scratch again. I embraced every moment of it and gained the most extraordinary fanbase, as well as meeting some of my best friends in the world through this work. I think facing challenges in this industry requires accepting the space we are in during each moment and situation. We want to dig deep within and find the strength to face whatever challenges are coming our way, and we just keep moving forward… And, most importantly, we never let go of our dreams! Remember, with every “NO”, there is a “YES” waiting to come your way! I will also openly share that I have been challenged with Long Covid the last few years, which has greatly affected my immune system and ability to do many things I used to do, so I feel like I am starting from scratch again. This has been the most challenging time of my life, both personally and professionally, and I share it in hopes to inspire readers who are going through challenges right now. I do the best I can with what I have every day, and I work to trust and manifest that everything will work out in “Divine Timing”. I focus on the positive as much as I possibly can, and I choose to believe that every challenge is happening for a reason, so the next phase will be even bigger, better, and more blessed!
You've been honored with awards recognizing your work in horror, drama, and now comedy. How do you adapt to different genres, and is there one you prefer over the others?
I love them all! I just LOVE acting! I feel so lucky to have had an eclectic career, acting in so many different genres and playing uniquely different characters. I believe that when you are a trained actor, you can handle most genres and have the tools to adapt to playing different roles, as acting is simply the art of acting. However, I do believe we each have our strong suit in certain genres. It is such a difficult choice for me to prefer one genre over the others that you listed, as I genuinely love them all. Okay, so I really, really enjoy working in dark or psychological dramas, as I love to explore the painful depths of dramatic characters and how they became broken. I am also proud to have worked in the horror genre for a lot of my career, and to have had the title “Scream Queen” bestowed upon me, as to me a Scream Queen is a sexy, strong, powerful actress in horror films or television. That said, there is nothing I prefer more, now, than playing the Villain/Villainess! I would be the happiest actress in the world if I got to play either the dark Villainess or the comedic Villainess for the rest of my career.
What's next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or roles that you're particularly excited about and can share with us?
It is hard to believe that with all my Long Covid challenges the past few years, I am blessed to have several upcoming projects and to receive independent film offers. I am running my company, Philly Chick Pictures, and overseeing past and present projects. You are surely familiar with our streaming series, Red Rooms, that the gifted Joshua Butler created and directed, and I produced and acted in, so I am thrilled to share that we have hit, and remained on, the Tubi TV “Top Thrillers” list for several months. We are still negotiating a home for our Stripped TV series. I was fortunate to act, again, with my incredible iMurders director, Robbie Bryan, on a film titled Purgy’s, a gut-wrenching drama that is currently playing throughout a worldwide film festival circuit. I am acting in several films that are in post-production and pre-production for 2025, so I am looking forward to that “starting from scratch”, yet again. Your readers can always keep up with me at my Official Press Site: www.brookelewisbellas.com
Or, on my social media feeds at Twitter: @BrookeLewisLA and Instagram: @brookelewisla
Please also check out my IMDb page to keep up with my latest projects: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0506989/
I am just excited to be alive during these challenging times, and unbelievably grateful to have so much love and support from the entertainment community and the very special Actors Awards. Thank you to Filmmakers Connect for another incredible honor here.
Health, Happiness, and Success to All!!! XO Brooke Lewis Bellas
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