A chat with actor Alex Goransson about finding joy in acting

Being a dyslexic actor can be quite a challenge, but that hasn’t stopped Alex Goransson from doing what he loves most…

Alex Goransson is the kind of guy who loves to try out new things whenever something catches his fancy. He started out as a professional handball player at a young age back in his home country of Sweden before moving to America despite barely speaking English and having struggled with dyslexia his whole life. Then an acting class at UCLA sparked a new passion and the rest, as they say, is history.

DAMAN: Hi Alex, can you tell us about yourself?
Alex Goransson: My name is Alex Goransson and I’m originally from Sweden. Born and raised in a little Viking village called Trelleborg. Instead of going to scout camp as a kid I went to a Viking camp. As I grew up, I played a lot of sports. I wasn’t really exposed to a lot of entertainment as a kid. Looking back now, it was something I’ve always dreamed about but never realized until I picked up the guitar for the first time.

DAMAN: Let’s go back a bit. Tell us how and when you got your start in acting?
Alex Goransson: I started acting around six years ago. I went to film school at UCLA, tried an acting class for the first time and I just fell in love. My whole life I’ve never really knew what I wanted to be. I have this problem of trying new things and not sticking to it; I always have that feeling of “it’s fun, but I can’t see myself doing it.” After that first acting class I finally found that little piece I’ve been looking for.

DAMAN: What did you do before you became an actor?
Alex Goransson: Before I became an actor, I was doing music but I was actually a professional European handball player back in Sweden for about five years. I got my first contract when I was 15 years old and played until I was 20. Everything went great, but I just wasn’t happy. I simply felt this wasn’t the thing I was supposed to do in life. I found a music school in Hollywood, so I packed my bags and left that life behind me.

DAMAN: What do you enjoy the most about acting?
Alex Goransson: I don’t even know where to start—could probably go on for hours about this. I just love getting lost in a story or a character and just play. There’s nothing better than taking something on paper, bringing it to life and telling a story. And I also love when you overcome that weird combination of fear, excitement, doubt and anxiety every time you walk on set.

DAMAN: What are the biggest challenges for you as an actor?
Alex Goransson: Learning the business side is one thing, but I would say my number one challenge as an actor is my dyslexia. On paper, this is something that I shouldn’t be doing. But that is also what I love about it: I have to work twice as hard just to get the basics down. But when I know it, I really know it and I can just live in the moment.

DAMAN: What have been the best memories of your acting journey so far?
Alex Goransson: The places and the people I get to work with. I met so many great and talented people I learn so much from.

DAMAN: What are your dreams for your journey ahead?
Alex Goransson: I just want to tell good stories. As a kid, I didn’t have many friends and felt alone. And the one thing that would always cheer me up was movies. And I know there are a lot of people who feel the same way. So, my biggest dream is just to help people around the world by telling stories, just like how those stories helped me.

DAMAN: Do you have a dream role that you would like to act out one day?
Alex Goransson: There are plenty I would like to tackle, but right now I have two. I would love to play more action roles like a soldier or a warrior, but I also would love to do a musical. That’s something I’ve always been interested in.

DAMAN: How does a typical day look like for you?
Alex Goransson: Right now, I have this routine: I wake up at 8AM and do my vocal exercises to warm up my voice. After that I eat a small breakfast, then I will hit the gym for about 1.5 hours. When I get home, I eat another meal. After that I have a few hours where I can do whatever I want. Normally, I go on a hike or something. When that’s done, I start working on everything related to acting” learning lines, accent training and singing. Finally, I try to watch a new movie every day. That’s pretty much it.

DAMAN: If you could be any superhero who would you be?
Alex Goransson: I would say Superman. But if I got those superpowers now, it would take a while for me to fly because I’m scared of heights.

DAMAN: What’s your favorite movie?
Alex Goransson: “Forrest Gump” is my favorite movie. I love that through the entire movie he is proving people wrong, proving that nothing is impossible. If we just believe and work hard, we can do whatever we want.

DAMAN: Who is your biggest role model?
Alex Goransson: The biggest one I look up to is Dwayne Johnson. Everything he does he crushes. He shows that we can do so much if we just put in the hours and not give up.

DAMAN: What’s your favorite food?
Alex Goransson: That’s hard—I’m a big foodie. But I would probably pick Italian food.