ROB WILSON [DAYS OF OUR LIVES] — A BOOK OF MAGAZINE

Tell us a little about your story. Who is Rob Wilson?

At the end of the day I'm just a kid from MA with a certain drive to do things that aren't easy. It's a gift and a curse, but I'm very grateful for it. I'm from very humble beginnings with a whole load of Faith. Now I'm here.

You were signed some pretty big modeling agencies prior to landing the role in Days Of Our Lives. How was the transition from modeling to acting?

For me at the very beginning they went hand in hand. Print paid my bills between my small acting gigs for years. Until the past few years I solely focused on my career as an actor, but if I have the opportunity to shoot with awesome photographers and great clients...hey why the hell not?! Let's get it!

How did acting start for you?

Acting started for me in Boston 2008, there was a lot of filming going on at that time in MA, I had just started to dabble in modeling and was told about these massive cattle-call casting for these movies coming up in town. I ended up booking the first two auditions I had, one for a film called Bride Wars, and one called The Surrogates. I don't know my ass from my elbow about acting, but I had always loved films and TV, certain shows and characters inspired me growing up as an only child. Little did I know it would end up being my career.

How do you balance your time as an actor & model?

Focus on my craft first, but continue to surround myself with good people and people that inspire me. The speed of the boss is the speed of the team.

Where do you draw your inspiration for acting and modeling?

I use as much of my real life as possible. Experience can't be taught. It's either you got it or don't. Other than that I draw from artists that inspire me. I find that other much more successful Actors that walked a similar path that I have, or similar backgrounds always inspired and motivate me to continue my drive. Also, music has always been a huge factor in my life. A simple song can take my moment in any direction. Mood music.

What is your favorite type of role to play?

It's always more fun to play the bad guy. But the anti-hero is always fun to root for.

What is your craziest and most memorable experience in either acting or modeling?

Shot a film a year ago that still hasn't come out yet, called "Papa" that was lined up with a bunch of legendary actors I watched growing up. I was a big gangster movie/ Sopranos buff as a kid, and being able to share the screen with Paul Sorvino, David Proval, Michael Madsen, Vincent Pastore, Frankie Avalon...very fucking honored.

Is there any actor (dead or alive) that you dream to work with?

Past, Marlon Brando. Present, Leo DiCaprio.

What do you think is your greatest achievement in your career so far?

I'm just grateful for each step, there's no blueprint to an actor’s career, you never know which project can be the launch pad. I was the first male model at The Price is Right, it was history and opened doors for me... I never would’ve guessed something so random to be a part of my journey in a million years. I'm fully aware not to confuse the size of your paycheck with the size of your talent, but I've been blessed to do what I love pretty quickly out of the gate, and I just work my ass of to make sure I don't have to go back to the basement ya know? I know how fast the rug can be pulled out from underneath you in this business and I've been on each end of it. I guess the biggest achievement overall has just been sticking it out no matter what.

What is your dream project?

To shoot a project back home in Boston, with the cast of my choice, telling the stories I want to tell. Full of authentic life and heart and continue to develop that team in other projects as well.

Any exciting projects coming up for you that we can look forward to?

Have a few films coming out this year in addition to some more episodes on Days of Our Lives, but I'm headed to Kentucky this month to shoot a film w/ a few legends...can't say too much about it yet, but I'll be playing William Shatner's Grandson, pretty awesome stuff.

Any advice that you can give to any aspiring actors, models and artists out there?

Find your focus, Fight through the "No's", know your brand and your worth and what you bring to the room every time you step in, and continue to develop your mental and physical tools to truly be on top of your craft. And coffee. And tequila.

If you’re going to have a book, what title would it be?

"From Humble Beginnings"...The RSW Method.

If you had the chance to support any charity/organization/person, what/who would it be and why?

I'd have to say one that sheds a strong light and relief of this vicious Heroin epidemic that's spread across the country. I've lost two of my closest childhood friends to this addiction as well as seen countless loss of lives from people I know back home outside of Boston. It's really bad there...and every where right now, starts with the prescription pills then ends up at Dope...and It has to stop. Since the government can't step up enough to close it down, I look forward to the day we ourselves can stop the machine.

TEAM CREDITS:

Photography PHIL LIMRPASERTWONG

Styling NEIL COHEN

Agencies RED MODEL MANAGEMENT

Catch Rob as Ben Rogers on Days Of Our Lives!