ALEX "POONIE" FINE
We had the chance to meet Alex and his two lovely daughters in Tokyo last summer. He opened up about his journey into acting, the challenges of a new career, and how fatherhood has shaped his perspective on life and work while we were taking some photos in the rainy streets of Harajuku.
Tell us a little bit about you. How did you become the man that you are today?
I’m Alex to everyone, but to close friends I’m “Poonie,” a nickname I’ve had since I was young.
I’m a father, husband, and actor. Family and work take the most importance and focus in my life. I became the man I am today a lot from the environment I grew up in. My mom and dad are the best and they let me be independent in a rougher environment.
I spent most of my time playing sports which also formed me as a man today.
You’ve built a successful career in fitness and you shifted your focus toward acting. What inspired this change?
It has always been the plan, I needed to build a steady career to live the life I wanted to while I pursued acting. Some people choose bartending, or valet until they get work, I chose fitness and opening a gym in my garage.
What kind of roles are you most interested in taking on as an actor? Do you have a dream project or genre you’d like to explore?
I used to ride bulls and I love westerns, but as far as a dream project, I feel like I have many. I mostly just want a project with a brilliant script and the director is good to work with, and I think when that happens and the cast has chemistry, it becomes a dream job.
I’m a big fan of Sean Baker, and also actors like Michael Fassbender and Vincent Cassell.
You shared with us that you didn’t take a lot of acting classes to become an actor. How do you keep sharpening your acting skills?
Acting isn’t any different from training than sports is. I don’t like traditional classes but I do everything to mentally/physically train for roles. I do private lessons at RADA in London, ballet, gun/close combat training, and dialect lessons every week.
I want to follow my instinct on what I believe is best but I still work with a coach at RADA to help make it exactly what I want.
You are joining Guy Ritchie’s upcoming crime series, alongside Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren. Congratulations! Are you excited? What can you tell us about it?
I am very excited, I’ve been very blessed to work with amazing actors and directors so far, and I can’t say much about it but it will be something I’m very proud to be a part of.
You are a father and a husband. How did it change your outlook on life and your personal priorities?
I used to live a little recklessly. Not in the sense of causing trouble, but I rode bulls, dirt bikes, was at car meets. When I had kids I pretty much stopped doing stuff that could kill me.
I remember someone told me when Cassie was pregnant that if I died now from bull riding or whatever, then my kids will never know who I was and how much I would love them. It really stuck with me. Now I golf, workout, and do ballet with the babies.
What has been the most rewarding part of fatherhood for you so far?
I love the hugs, and the “I love you”s. Being a dad and husband is the greatest thing I’ve ever done and I don’t know how I got to be so blessed.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you want to unwind and take a break from work?
I watch movies, TV, listen to music… and I’ve been really trying to learn new traits to be more skilled for any role that may come up in the future. I kind of plan to be prepared for anything so if I get the call, I’m ready.
If you could give advice to someone considering a major career shift like yours, what would you say?
I really have no advice. I think that if it doesn’t move you, don’t do it. Every single thing I did was to invest in myself. I didn’t go to clubs or bars. I put the money into my career and I knew once I was given a chance, I would never look back. I have delusional confidence in myself and I think you need that sometimes.
I also was given a shot by John Papsidera and Taylor Sheridan, and since I got the chance to play Grady on 1883, I knew no one could tell me anything. My love and passion for it becomes my never fail.
What does the word “zero” mean to you?
I actually like the number zero. It’s a good mindset to have that every morning you start at nothing. No one is giving you anything, you have to take it. Zero lives forever.
Words by Charles Vane
Photographs by Allan Abani