Name: Samantha Bowen
Hometown: Hicksville, NY
Current Location: New York City
TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Bowen: When I was eight or nine. I produced, directed, and starred in a rendition of Samantha The American Girl play for my grandfather. He was battling cancer at the time, and all I wanted to do was take him away from the present and to make him smile. I had gotten my brother, cousins, aunt and uncle to participate as well. At that moment, after seeing my grandfather truly happy for the first time in a long time, I knew if I could do that for him I want to do that for everyone in the world, and thus began my dreams of acting as a career.
TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Bowen: It has to be Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.” I also played Tomb Raider the video game growing up. Having a woman as a lead in an action TV series, movie or video game was one of the reasons I chose this career path. I’ve always wanted to be a warrior, whether it be raiding tombs like Lara Croft or slaying vampires like Buffy. That and I had an intense obsession with “10 Things I Hate About You.” Julia Stiles’ dry wit and Heath Ledger’s smile was the best thing about the 90s.
TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Bowen: Honestly I’m a huge planner, but I didn’t think too far in advance for this. I knew it was what I wanted. I was in productions inside and outside of school growing up and then went on to study at a university. That’s as far as I got in planning, which then allowed me to take a leap of faith in myself. I could not be prouder of how I spent my years at my university; it lead me to my first manager and opened doors that I could not have planned for if I tried.
TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Bowen: I was fortunate to live so close to NYC, so I didn’t have to move away to pursue my career!
TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Bowen: Since I was lucky enough to not have to move away, I was able to keep my support team of my family and friends from home. They have always had my back and believed in me. I could not be more blessed to be able to keep them by my side throughout this journey.
TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Bowen: My first was a callback for a Comedy Central pilot. Comedy is something that comes naturally for me, but to get a callback for a pilot on Comedy Central gave me a larger sense of I could actually do this. Unfortunately I didn’t get the part, but getting a callback was enough for me. Now I am a host of a YouTube Channel for Beauty & Fashion and I love being a part of that. Fashion, 
beauty & acting all in one. What actress wouldn’t love that?
TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Bowen: I would like to have the opportunity to be in a teen drama sci-fi TV series. I get told that I can play a high school student a lot, being that I don’t look my age. Which is ideal for any one at any age so I’m not complaining! I love any sci-fi series, especially when drama is intertwined. Being able to star in one is a huge goal of mine.
TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Bowen: Having courage and being kind. (Clearly I’m not a fan of “Cinderella” at all…) It’s so important to be who you are, and know that you have what it takes to make it not just in this industry, but in the world we live in as well. Actors take a lot of hits between media to auditions. I believe it takes a lot of courage and kindness to stand up after each and every blow you take.
TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Bowen: I want to be remembered for something great. I’m not sure what that will be yet, but I want my career and legacy to have a long lasting effect, and change for the better. It’s the crazy ones who believe they can change the world and they are the ones who do, am I right?!
TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Bowen: Trust that fate will bring you where you are meant to be, if you fail take that as a step forward not a step backward. Lastly, be who you are and the rest will follow.
TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Bowen: I have a website that I update weekly for news as to what I am currently a part of! www.samanthabowen.com. It also has all of my social media links and reel!
