Award-Winning Actor, Writer, and Producer, Tim Realbuto has appeared in projects from HBO’s “The Sopranos” to The Emperor’s Club alongside Kevin Kline. Tim starred opposite Nolan Gould in the motion picture YES, based on his stage play, winning almost every major festival award for Best Leading Actor, including the Hollywood Moving Image Award. He is currently filming the title role in BOBCAT MORETTI opposite Vivica A. Fox, Taryn Manning, and Academy Award nominee Sally Kirkland.
FMM: What does it take to be successful in Hollywood today?
Being successful in Hollywood is not easy. You have to have a drive and a passion that not many people have. You have to network and meet as many people as possible. You never know who can help you out. Most importantly, it is essential that you don’t give up. Believe in yourself and your talent. Only YOU can bring yourself down. Not trying is the only way to fail. Everyone has a different path in this career. Don’t compare yourself to others.
FMM: Your film, YES, won multiple awards. Tell us about the film. What was your inspiration for the film?
I really wanted to tell a story about two people from very different worlds who are much more alike than we realize at the beginning of the film. I’m also really obsessed with writing about the human psyche and what makes people tick, what makes people do what they do.
FMM: YES was directed by Rob Margolies. What is it like working with him?
He’s amazing. He works fast, which I love and he truly brings out the very best in his Actors. Whenever I won an award for YES, he was the first person I thanked.
FMM: On the outside looking in, how would you describe yourself as an Actor?
I’m an Actor who cares much more about the end product than the money. As long as I’m doing work that I’m passionate about, that’s all I really care about. I’ve learned so much working on film. I used to do mainly stage, but with film, the camera doesn’t lie. You don’t have to play for the balcony. You have to be subtle and play for that tiny lens. I’ve grown so much learning how to do that correctly and hopefully, successfully.
FMM: Your recent film that you co-wrote and produced, Bobcat Moretti is a heart-wrenching drama about an obese man with Multiple Sclerosis who takes up his late father’s sport of boxing to overcome immense personal tragedy and find inner peace. Tell us about your role as “Bobby.”
Bobby is the hardest role I’ve ever played. I don’t have MS myself, but my mother does and I’m her caretaker. The role hits much closer to home than I ever expected. I’m hoping to find inner peace in my real life as well, the same way Bobby does. So far, so good.
FMM: You lost a lot of weight (more than any in film history) to shoot Bobby in Part 2. How did this affect you psychologically?
Losing 85 pounds (so far) has only affected me in the best possible way. It’s very weird to look in the mirror and see a completely different person, but I have so much more energy. I don’t get tired when I work out anymore. I’m eating much healthier and taking great vitamins, all of which is good for my mind and my psyche.
FMM: What is the philosophy behind Bobcat Moretti?
We want to tell a story that’s inspiring and that helps people with a terminal illness. We want to tell them that they are not alone and that your mind is MUCH stronger than your body. Exercise and eating right is more powerful than you can ever imagine. We can’t cure MS as of yet, but we can inspire people to fight this awful disease.
FMM: Please provide your social media links.
On Instagram, you can find me @TimRealbutoOfficial. But please also follow our film @BobcatMoretti. We’re doing an amazing campaign to spread MS awareness and making sure that the film is seen by as many people as possible. If you can’t donate (we know that times are tough), please follow us and share the campaign. You can also find me on TikTok at @the_real_realbuto.
