I’m not certain when I first heard the name Brendon Zub, but it was more than likely due to a Hallmark connection. However, I had the joy of seeing both of the Christmas movies where he was the charming leading man, and after last year’s A Twist Of Christmas, I knew I had to have an interview with this lovely and talented young man. While Hallmark fans may not know his name, undoubtedly, you are familiar with his work. Moreover, it is my honor to bring our recent chat to my readers today!
Photo by Noah Asanias – © 2018 NoahAsanias
RH: Why did you decide to become an actor and what kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
Photo by Noah Asanias – © 2018 NoahAsanias
BZ: I always loved performing and making my family and friends laugh growing up, but I never really saw it as a career option until my family moved to Europe as missionaries when I was ten. In Hungary, there was only one English-speaking channel that aired old Turner classic movies on the weekends, so it became something I looked forward to every week. Growing up watching actors like Jimmy Stewart, Richard Burton, Gene Kelly, Errol Flynn, Kirk Douglas, and Charlton Heston made me want to give it a try.
After booking the lead role in my high school play, I was hooked and decided to pursue it seriously as a career. I continued with acting classes while at University, first studying theatre at Mount Royal College in Calgary, but eventually moving to Vancouver for Film School. I graduated from the full-time acting program at Schoolcreative in 2008 and then continued with acting workshops and ongoing private coaching.
What was your first professional job in the business and what do you remember about it?
I think my first pro gig was a Molson beer Commercial. I remember it being the NHL lockout that year with the commercial alluding to it with a clip of three guys at a bar enjoying figure skating instead of hockey, comically craning their necks while watching an elaborate figure skating move. It was a fun first gig that aired all over Canada with my friends and family able to see it. It gave everyone who knew me a big laugh as I didn’t drink beer.
© 2018 A&E Networks Photo credit Bettina Strauss
Hallmark viewers first saw you in 2016 where you appeared in four Christmas films, I believe. Please tell us about any special memories you have about any of those films.
Yes, that was a busy and fun Hallmark year. I enjoyed Operation Christmas, despite my small role as it was the first time I got to put on a soldier’s uniform and sing on camera. A few of us playing soldier had to sing a Christmas carol telegram back home from deployment. I guess it went better than expected as the lead kept joking with me to sing worse since I was the only one who could carry a tune.
Before becoming a regular part of the Hallmark network, what was your awareness of the network and its content?
© KAILEY SCHWERMAN 2018
To be honest, I was quite ignorant of a Hallmark Channel. We didn’t get it in Canada, and I had just always assumed they were all about Holiday Cards. I didn’t realize it had such a wide and passionate fan base and that so many of my friends in the States watched it too.
This past Christmas, we saw you in A Twist Of Christmas. What was particularly memorable about working on that film for you?
It was probably working with such a big star like Vanessa
A Twist Of Christmas
Lachey and veteran Director David Winning again. I wasn’t sure what to expect as it was only my second Lead role since The Christmas Calendar and with a well-known Hollywood personality host and actress. I remember watching her on Dancing with the Stars, so I was a big fan. But she was very fun to work with and I don’t think I ever laughed as much as I did on set with her. She had a great sense of humor and we quickly became good friends.
As for David Winning, it was the second Christmas movie we did together. The first was on Hallmark’s A December Bride a few years back. I had a very small role in it then, but I remember we had connected briefly once finding out that we were both originally from Calgary and that we hoped to work together again someday. Thankfully, A Twist of Christmas accomplished that.
The Christmas Calendar
My involvement was very small actually, and I haven’t watched it, so I wouldn’t be the best person to compare it to other shows. I just played a radar tech at the airport who begins witnessing the fallout to the UFO sightings.
Hallmark viewers saw you earlier this year in A Winter Princess. What did you appreciate about your role in that film? Any special memories?
I loved that I got to put my accent skills to work again by playing a European Prince. The audition for it was a lot of fun. The director, Allan Harmon, asked me to come in as he had directed me in The Christmas Calendar as a French baker, so he knew I could pull off an accent. They were unsure as to which direction the Princes we’re gonna go, so I prepared a French, British, and Russian accent. Thankfully the British won out as I think the role suited it more.
A Winter Princess
It was also great to work with Chris McNally again. We hadn’t worked together since Hearts of Christmas a few years back, and so it was nice to reconnect again.
We also saw you in Love Under the Rainbow. What was special about making that film?
For that one, I just got to have fun playing an obnoxious barista. The director allowed me to ad-lib and we got some really funny moments. Unfortunately, not all of them made it into the final cut of the movie.
You are a part of The Twilight Zone. How do you believe this series pays homage to the classic series while updating it for modern viewers?
I think with Jordan Peele producing, you have a talented director who can bridge that gap between old and new. Get Out proved he is very good with everything creepy and scary with an eye for unique storylines.
Yes, my latest rom-com Made For You With Love aired recently up here in Canada. I play a wedding photographer who falls for a wedding dressmaker. Fans may get kick out of me possibly trying on a wedding dress myself.
I’m really excited to be shooting the first season of Batwoman last month. I can’t say much, but the show, has a stellar cast and I get to play a very different character than people may expect.
Well, Batwoman occupied some of the time. I did enjoy some time off and made up for some lost time on the Jujitsu mats. I also went back home to attend my sister’s wedding in July, which was amazing.
Photo by Noah Asanias – © 2018 NoahAsanias
As I have come to discover, Vancouver actors like Brendon are some of the optimum people in the industry, and it was an incredible delight to be able to learn more of his story while featuring him here. I adore the fact that he grew up on the classics (I did too), and perhaps that is one reason his skillset is invariably a cut above some of the other aspiring leading men out there. Of course, the fact that he is a team player whose giftedness is only matched by his humility definitely adds to his exceptional prowess. I greatly anticipate the time when his Canadian rom-com Made For You With Love makes its way to the U.S., and I know I’ll be tuning in to see his work on Batwoman this fall. In the meantime, be sure that you click on his links below and consider following him via Instagram (he’s pretty good at keeping his fans apprised of his upcoming works). While he has enjoyed some leading roles with other networks, I anticipate that forthcoming day when Hallmark awards him his first leading role because he has definitely proven his abilities in many of the network’s top-rated films. A more down-to-earth, handsome, benevolent man we fans will not find in this business, and I greatly anticipate all that is coming his way in the near and distant future.
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