Resilient yet tempered, honest and sincere, stunningly beautiful, and an undeniable raw talent are ways that actress on the rise Dawn Olivieri could be described. Her name has become synonymous in the entertainment business with strong, female characters, each one finely crafted by Dawn, which has trademarked her edgy and mysterious performances. Over the past five years Dawn has appeared in ten television projects most notably CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother”, HBO’s “Entourage”, NBC’s “Las Vegas”, SyFy’s “Stargate:Atlantis”, TNT’s “Trust Me”, NBC’s “Knight Rider”, TBS’s “My Boys”, and CBS’s “Cold Case”. In 2009, Dawn landed the role of “Lydia” on season 4 of the award-winning NBC series “Heroes”. In addition, Dawn was recently seen in the SyFy original movie “Hydra” as “Gwen Russell” which is available now on DVD, and is the voice of “Pepper Potts” in the new “Avengers” animated series. In 2010, Dawn’s film projects include the Hallmark film “Xtra Credits” which is in post-production, and she will be seen in the comedy “Drop Dead Gorgeous” and the thriller film “Dozers”.
The Interview
What do you like best about your work?
The endless possibilities…. What is your most memorable experience in show business?
There are so many special moments for me. Each time I have a breakthrough, I grow as a person as well as an actress. It’s kind of a funny question, because the most precious experiences I have as an actress happen while I am working, in the moment. Going back and logging it as an achievement almost seems indulgent. I prefer to show up, do my work the best I can, stay humble about the whole profession, and enjoy my life, doing what I love so much.
What is your favorite thing in your closet? My black, beat up motorcycle boots, I wear them everyday! (Florentini and Baker)
Who is your favorite designer? I am into vintage right now, so history is my favorite designer…
Who are your influences? Life… I’m like a sponge.
Where did you learn to act? It has always been there, I think I am just learning how to call on it.
What do you do for fun? I am an outside junkie, so anything involving fresh air, sign me up! I’m actually doing this interview in a hostel in Lima, Peru, so we could start with traveling. I shy away from gyms, but love getting a workout the old-fashioned way, sport style, so playing beach volleyball is a big one. Hiking, camping, and a little rock climbing is something I am just starting to get into. I love working with animals, painting, playing the guitar, photography, watching movies, and of course working! I realize how lucky I am to be able to say that.
What are your plans for the future? I don’t really plan anything, I find it limits the possibilities. What is your favorite movie and why? This changes constantly, but right now it is “Avatar.” It’s fantasy, mind blowing, but its message is so much more powerful. I bow down to James Cameron for such a work of art, I want to live there.
Where is your favorite spot on Earth? My head. In it I have dreams, my memories, my challenges, and everything in between. What time is your earliest call time? Time… it means nothing! If you work until 5 AM one day, 10 AM would seem like an early call time. What is the earliest TURN AROUND time? I worked on this one from from 8 AM until 6 PM one day, then had a night shoot on a movie I was doing from 8 PM all through the night, and had to go back into the other show the next day at 8 AM and work again all day. That was a tough one!
Are you a day person or night person? Night… What your advice to aspiring talent? Find what sets you apart. The real you. Truth comes from