Rudy Pankow
Rudy Pankow showed up at our LA photoshoot ready to rock, bare his soul, get soaked in the pool, play some chess and perform some bed jumpin air guitar. His performance as “JJ” is not to be missed in the hit show “Outer Banks,” which is streaming now on Netflix. Rudy is also a great photographer, nature lover, suspender wearing, Alaskan native who is always striving to be a better human. Check our photo diary and interview to catch a bit of his energy and then head over to OBX and grab a dose of his acting excellence.
The Bare Magazine: What about this new season of OBX excites you most?
Rudy Pankow: I’m excited for everyone to see how much this season feels bigger and badder then ever.
Bare: In what ways do you connect with JJ in real life...and how have you evolved professionally and personally playing him?
RP: I love how “JJ" has a sense of freedom that only comes from having the most humbling view on life. He just knows it always could be worse and tries to have fun doing whatever he’s doing. On the professional front, he’s challenged me to always do the same amount of work on a character as much I did for JJ. And personally he’s helped me evolve into a more self sufficient human.
Bare: What are you top 3 favorite things to do when you're not working?
RP:
Find an adventure to go on with those I love
Connect with the wilderness
Play soccer
Bare: How would you describe your personal style? (please include your love of suspenders!)
RP: I think it’s whatever feels like I’m feeling. Fits my emotion for the day I guess. Suspenders are my go to if I have to feel classy and casual at the same time.
Bare: Are you a chess lover/player?
RP: I love playing chess. Life can be chess — once you make that move there’s a reason but also risk moving forward. Just need to be confident and smart about your every move.
Bare: While we were shooting you said we'd love your hometown of Alaska. Describe the kind of person who would dig Alaska and why?
RP: The type of person who would dig Alaska is someone who just wants to see the world. Alaska will never fail to amaze those who just want to witness what this planet has to offer.
Bare: You're off and running on new projects. How do you strike a balance in your life to stay grounded? What/who are your stabilizing forces?
RP: Take time for myself. Take time with others I love being with. And then work on the craft. After that, do something everyday you didn’t see yourself doing that day. That’s how I stay grounded.
Bare: We saw you wished Robin Williams happy birthday on your insta...is he someone you admire and why? If you could follow a fellow actor’s career path would his be one?
RP: Robin was a light to so many. He lived within the world of entertaining as him. But I think he put so much on himself that he only wanted to get better and better when life doesn’t always work like that. And I learned that lesson from him. We can always be better but sometimes life decides for us what we need to be better at. I will always challenges myself to be better.
Bare: What are you bare essentials...can be anything?
RP: Self exploration and loving the unknown.
Rudy wears his own clothing.
Shot in Northridge, CA at Pineapple Productions
Photos and Grooming: Tina Turnbow using Ogee and Drunk Elephant
Founder & Editor in Chief - The Bare Magazine
