Chatting with Survivor’s Remorse star RonReaco Lee

RonReaco Lee is a talented comedic and dramatic actor who is best known for his portrayal of Reggie on Survivor’s Remorse. He stopped by to chat with us!

RonReaco Lee made us laugh for four years on the beloved STARZ series, Survivor’s Remorse, as Reggie Vaughn. Next, you can catch him starring alongside Taraji P. Henson Betty Gilpin, and Ed Helms in the Netflix comedy film, Coffee & Kareem.

Plus, he’ll be a series regular on the upcoming BET series, First Wives Club, based on the film of the same name.

But apart from acting, RonReaco Lee is broadening horizons by taking on unique projects he’s passionate about and even trying his hand at directing! He chatted with Hidden Remote about his experience in Hollywood and his plans for the future of his career.

Hidden Remote: How has your experience on Survivor’s Remorse prepared you for new and upcoming projects?

RonReaco Lee: It proved that I could handle a massive amount of dialogue and a big workload. It took me out of a comfort zone and it caused me to dig deep into acting. The writers didn’t hesitate to write a page-long monologue and expect us to come in and know the material.

At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it but when you’re forced into a situation it’s sink or swim. A lot was carried on my shoulders; everyday everyone was responsible for their own heavy lifting. The writing didn’t allow for input or improv, much like a play, and I didn’t have much experience with that so I had to find my character with only the words written on the page.

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It was challenging but I surprised myself with my ability and I got the job done. I am thankful for the four great years I worked on the show.

HR: Can you talk a little bit about the upcoming BET series, First Wives Club? Why do you think the time is right for a new version of the story?

RL: The show revolves around 3 women and the spaces in their marriage. It looks at those relationships and how they come together to help one another. The reboot is relevant now because it shows African American women supporting each other in times of need and I don’t think we get to see enough of that.

These women have each other’s backs and that is the definition of sisterhood. I think it will really resonate with a lot of women and help create that sense of sisterhood

HR: You were also cast in a new Netflix comedy film, Coffee & Kareem, what intrigued you about the film?

RL: The character work in the film is really what intrigued me. I got to play a character that has a lot of interesting layers. When I audition for roles I usually give my take on a character and 9 times out of 10 it’s not what they are looking for, but that wasn’t the case for this role.

I did a video conference with the director and gave my interpretation of the character and they loved that I put in so many layers and wanted to see more of that. That’s when I knew I needed to get this part.

HR: Do you prefer doing comedy as opposed to drama?

RL: I don’t have a preference for comedy or drama I just enjoy doing quality work. Comedy can be harder in a lot of ways. With drama, there is more angst and anguish so there is a greater chance of making the audience cry but it’s much more of a challenge to make someone laugh. Both are very rewarding and I like to bounce back and forth but I don’t have a preference.

HR: What project do you feel has been the most rewarding for you?

RL: Survivor’s Remorse, I did the show for four years and I still look back on it today. It was very different from anything else I had done before and the hard work was really rewarding in the end. It was definitely a highlight of my career.

HR: What is your dream project you hope to be able to do someday?

RL: My dream project would be to develop a successful television show that has a really good run and manages to move people. I have a lot of talented friends and I want to bring them all together to showcase their talents and really bring them to life.

HR: What was your experience like directing A Father’s Love?

RL: It was great, nerve-wracking. Everything I thought it would be. I felt right at home. I liked not being responsible for remembering lines; instead, my only focus was the actors. I enjoyed the challenge of making sure they would win, it was right in my wheelhouse and I look forward to doing it again.

It was a very pleasant experience. Directing isn’t for everyone and I know that Eddie Murphy said he would never do it again even though he did an amazing job, I was shocked he didn’t like it.

HR: Do you have any other directing projects you’re hoping to do in the future?

RL: I’m very picky when it comes to choosing projects. Hollywood has a way of pigeon-holing you into a genre. I always had to fight to get people to see me as more than just a sitcom actor or drama actor.

I want to establish myself as someone that can dip their toe in a variety of different jobs. When I first moved to California I accepted any job because I needed to pay rent but now I can be more strategic.

I’ve been offered to direct other projects and didn’t take them because I want it to be right. The right project will find me, that’s what happened with A Father’s Love and it will happen with others too. When I come across a piece I am passionate about I will go all the way and it will happen again.

HR: How is directing most different from acting in your experience?

RL: Communicating with the actors, watching the process of actors find their characters and the moments they discover the vulnerability in a scene. As an actor, you go through it but as a director, you are responsible for guiding the actors through that process.

It was really fascinating to be on that side of it. I didn’t see the first thing I directed to be so serious but it moved me and I wanted to be a part of it. It was really fascinating to be on that side of things.

My thanks and gratitude to RonReaco Lee for taking the time to speak with us here at Hidden Remote!

Catch RonReaco Lee in new drama series, First Wives Club, is set to premiere this fall on BET. Coffee & Kareem will premiere on Netflix in 2020. You can currently binge all four seasons of Survivor’s Remorse on STARZ.