Biografia
Juan Rios Gaspard, Born on 8-25-1965, to Clarice "Louise" (Staton) Dupuy, My Mother and best friend, A devoted caretaker of the elderly and Misfortunate, An LPN, She Loved and cared for every person as Family, and taught me such Valuable Lessons about Honesty, and Integrity, compassion and Love. I was raised By My Loving Mother and My Stepfather, Loveless P. Dupuy, A Man of his own Character, in a small country suburb, Poydras Louisiana The entire Villa, comprised of 1.5 miles, in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. I Attended St. Bernard , where in my Junior Year, for my 17th Birthday, My Mother wept as she signed, the papers , for me to join The Marines, I went to USMC boot camp on 2-14-1983.
Patriotism,
I served in the United States Marines from 1983 to 1986, during My Tour of Duty, My M.O.S. was 03-31, I was an "M60 machine gunner" for Weapons Platoon Company "E" 2nd Battalion 7Marines 1st Marine Divisions (weapons Platoon) later I was reassigned to Weapons Company 2/7, in the Heavy Guns capacity and has had extensive weapons training including 50 Caliber weapons. In my Tour of Duty, where I traveled to 6 different Countries and 20 different states , I was also deployed to Okinawa Japan, and South Korea for Operation Team Spirit 83/84
Work
As a young adult I was an Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency 9-1-1 Dispatcher, before getting into Carpentry, Construction would become My forte, I excelled as a pipe fitter, again became the top of my class in Pipefitting. pipe-fitters keep America flowing at the gas pumps
The Lion
I am known as The Lion, because of My characteristic past, and survival skills, I am a VERY bold Person, My Character Dictates, I must be A Truthful, Compassionate Leader, and Therefore, I must admit, I have a very colorful past. I will defend the Vulnerable, Veterans, our Elders and Children. I do not tolerate any social issues based on sex, age, color, or creed. Racism is a learned trait, That I was never taught, Marion Reddick, My "other Mother" was instrumental in educating me, As a youth. Judging someone without knowing them, Prejudicially, is a sign of ignorance and a "Sin" on ones own Soul, and stagnates the Judgmental in their own cesspool of mire, Humanity needs to move beyond this Social ill.
The Turning Point
2005, was a very notable year for Me, first, on March 6th I stood at My Mothers CCU bed, as she, with tears in her eyes, Begged me to make the doctor, The only Human trying his best to keep her alive, Stop what he was doing, Me and my siblings knelt at my Mothers side as she left this world, We then held hands over my Mother, As I sang Amazing Grace, and will the circle be unbroken, two of my Mothers favorite Gospel songs, No other person, Has been so influential in My Life, she gave me Life, She Nurtured me, and raised me, she protected me even from myself, Clarice "Louise" Dupuy, is not only My Mother, she is My Glory Hallelujah, she is the very essence of my existence, I live my life today in the hopes she is proud of the Legacy, I will leave behind.
32 days later My Mother in Law passed also, Both of these women ate at my table. 4 months Later everybody in my Hometown, had water in their attics, As Katrina's destruction took it's toll on my Hometown of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. 35 days Later My Step-Father joined My Mother, As a result of Katrina's unleashed Destruction onto Humanity, My Step-Father Refused to leave as we begged him to, he decided to ride out the storm at a Nursing home, where my Mother was a Nurse for almost 15 years.
Tragedy
12-12-06, one of the most defining moments in my adult life occurred tragically, as I and My Beloved wife, The Love of My Youth, and Soulmate were struck head on, in a terrible 2 accident, that claimed the lives of the other driver, as well as Beautiful wife, Vernetia Whitfield Gaspard. So, as this world would have it, on 12-12-06 at the young age of just 41, I, Juan Rios Gaspard, became a Widower. I suffered a Horrible TBI, A Traumatic Brain Injury, that basically erased my entire memory, I have seen too Much, Trust me, just this glimpse, Of what I have survived, horrifies you, And I understand.
Macondo well blow out repair
In April of 2010, as fate would have it Tragedy struck again, the British Petroleum Macondo well had a "Blow out" and sadly, 11 Good men lost their lives. I was living in Montz Louisiana with a Friend Michael Allen, who seeing my lapse in memory, put me back to work, As a Pipefitter. As the days grew into weeks and Months, and the Danger rose from the spewing oil, I decided I needed to do something. I designed a Fix in his Garage (on Paper) and when I was satisfied of its Viability, I contacted Robert Bea, Professor Disaster late one night, About 11pm. I asked him if he knew what a Pipefitter was, he replied "A Plumber like guy" I said well just call me Joe if you are Gonna call me a Plumber like Guy, my name isn't important, but what I want to talk to you about is. I described my design to him and was elated when weeks Later, I heard on the radio that they were trying a design fitted with many nozzles and valves attached to different ships to draw pressure from the well and to allow the fix to be seated, and then the valves could be "Throttled down" to gain control, a Design that fit my description. I remember my eyes welling with tears as I heard the "Macondo well was now under control" I tearfully mumbled a Prayer, and Thanked God for allowing me to live to help solve such a Dangerous and Monumental environmental and economic problem.
I remember when we spoke, Robert Bea and I, He asked me why was I sharing him my idea to deliver, I replied because I read an article where he was named as being over the needed solution, he asked why wasn't I worried about a reward, I replied, "Some things are more Important than Money".
Destiny Revealed
In February of 2011 by chance I met man , As I was having fun on Bourbon St. in New Orleans , It was Lundi Gras, and I had a Mask, scaring the girls, Just being me! I saw him standing there, admiring me, and Curiosity got the better of me, We spoke Briefly, He told me I was an Actor, even though i insisted I was a pipe fitter. This man took the time to explain to me, the ups and downs of "Acting", This "man" I speak of is Pierce Brosnan. Within 2 weeks I had Landed My First extra gig, as a swat team Member in "Stolen" starring Nick Cage. I realized I needed to Study, and Learn, So after a 2 year Hiatus I Returned to the Silver Screen, and in 2013 was in 11 different projects, including a Featured shot in Bonnie & Clyde,(Bruce Beresford).
2014
I returned to the Silver Screen, after a one year Hiatus, I lost 74 pounds and have achieved some of his goals, I am living much healthier, I try to eat only things that have lived before, basically Paleo, I quit smoking, after 26 years as a smoker. I don't do, or promote Drugs, I do however see the Medicinal Value of Cannabis on a medical Level.
2016
I took my Mensa test, and placed off the charts., In 2016 I joined Mensa, for the first time in My Life, My pretest placed me in the 99.9968 percentile, A literal Genius. My Mensa Scored a Raw 96, And My Wonderlic in the 99 percentile range.
2017 update
its obvious if you are watching my page as a fan, or checking me out as a potential Principle, My Ascent has been brief, That is for a reason, I am my own unique Character, in just 3 short years I have seen my Marketability and Popularity soar, I want to Thank all of YOU for that, You kindness and Support, is what makes this all worthwhile, Without you, This would all be in Vain. So, Again, Thanks everybody, it's all about YOU.
2018
I'm Back, I've shaved My beard short, And still have the hair. I've taken some classes, And I am much more prepared for Destiny to be revealed, So eloquently.
2019 update After almost a year I am returning again, and planning a California venture in late 2019, or Early 2020 its obvious the hair and beard are gone, I am pursuing "Neater" roles. I am pursuing my goals of winning a couple Oscars, Because I, You are vital to my plans, Because I cant do it, without YOU. Yes I even have my first Oscar speech prepared.
2020 Its 2020, and I can see Clearly This will be my breakout year, I have studied diligently and applied all my energy into learning and perfecting my talent and skills, It isn't time to relax, But Rather its time to push myself harder, And Grow into my skills. I am submitting for "Roles" and soon, you will not only see me, But hear my expertise Brought to life on the Silver Screen, and Your T.V.
I became SAG eligible in 2020
Thanksgiving 2020
At age 55, 2020 was an earmark for my Biological siblings and I, We had a Muir family Reunion. For the first time ever we all met some siblings and family we had never known before. I must admit, it did my Soul well, to celebrate in the hills of Tennessee, on the bank of Boone Lake with this previously unknown part of my Family.
Acting classes and preparation
I took script analysis and preparation for film, classes in 2018/19 as well as performed to a live audience, with Sandra K. Horner of Los Angeles, I have also studied and filmed with Veleka Gray of Louisiana. Years of classes later, Blocking, Script interpretation, Beats, Intentions, Presentation, And becoming the Character, Have prepared me for speaking roles.
I can assure you, I am a lot more prepared, But by no means finished learning, Learning is a continuous Process, so I persevere.
Its a Journey of the Soul Melding the Mind and Body into Characters to display before you, I want to Thank everyone who believed in me, and cant wait to feel your excitement when we see each other.
To my "Colleagues" Get ready, Cause I'm coming to get everything "They said I couldn't have".
Acting
Character preparation, Is an ongoing process for a Method Actor. It's a struggle, To draw from Stanislavski, Robert Lewis, Michael Chekhov, Uda Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, the stellar Instructors and stars we are blessed to study and learn from, And others, as I pick from the leaves of the "Method tree", And make a cup of "Tea" , In the mind of the Director, Who only tells me the ingredients, never the portions. Too much, It's too bitter, Too less, It's too sweet. So somehow in my quest of bringing the dead to life, As well as being a Mind reader, I have to find a way to trust the guidance of a person who will tell me hardly anything, And sometimes too much. I function in a mind frame of less is more (Eastwood) (Spaghetti westerns) as I plunge into a world of the written unknown, Where bland words are given life in my passion to perform, For you. So, Shall we sit, And have some "Tea" , From the imagination of my creativity.
An entertainer does not receive Accolades for doing what they are Comfortable performing, But by confronting the fears of failure, going headlong into the unknown abyss of re-creation, and Bringing the Character to life, Becoming The Character, so Skillfully, So well, you forget its a Movie, and Who the entertainer is, in real Life.
Thats Acting,
"Don't tell me you can't do it, If you've never tried, Just be honest and tell me you are too afraid to try."
" I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me."
It's never, About me, And always about YOU
I Joined SAG-AFTRA in January 2022
Juan Rios Gaspard, The Redeemed Soul, God himself appointed, And Anointed as,
#TheLion
