Nestor Carbonell Central

Cuando Néstor Carbonell era estudiante, un profesor solía dar este consejo a la hora de interpretar un personaje: “Busquen vivir con sinceridad bajo circunstancias imaginarias”. A esas palabras se remite al preguntarle qué lo motiva a seguir trabajando tras más de 35 años en la profesión. Lo cierto es que el actor nacido en Nueva York de padres cubanos no para de trabajar. Esta primavera lo hemos visto en Pulse (Netflix), en otoño regresa en la cuarta temporada del exitoso The Morning Show (Apple TV+) y en enero comparte cartelera con Matt Damon y Ben Affleck en la cinta The RIP (Netflix).

Antes fue el alcalde de Gotham en dos de los filmes de la saga Batman, estuvo en la mítica serie Lost y se ganó un Emmy el año pasado por su participación en Shogun (FX), por no mencionar la lista interminable de series en las que participado, desde el sitcom Suddenly Susan en los noventa a House, Bates Motel, Ray Donovan, Monk, Ally McBeal, The Good Wife… “En gran parte debo el estar ocupado al gran número de talentosos guionistas y directores con los que he tenido el placer de trabajar en múltiples ocasiones”, señala Carbonell, quien ha estado bajo las órdenes de reputados profesionales como Christopher Nolan, Carlton Cuse o Kerry Ehrin. “A la hora de elegir un papel, suelo buscar personajes con temores y malos comportamientos bien definidos que entran en conflicto con el tema que tratamos”.

Otra clave en su éxito está en casa. “He logrado estar tan ocupado gracias al inmenso apoyo de mi familia, particularmente de mi esposa, Shannon [Kenny], una talentosa actriz [australiana] que puso su carrera a un lado hace 20 años para dedicarse completamente a criar a nuestros hijos [Rafa, de 23 años, y Marco, de 20]”, apunta Carbonell, de 57 años, quien se mantiene en una excelente condición gracias a la meditación y, sobretodo, el ejercicio. También lo atribuye a sus padres, cubanos exiliados, que llegaron sin un centavo a Estados Unidos. “Escuchar todas sus historias de lucha y persistencia han moldeado mi experiencia como actor y, aún más importante, como ser humano”, resalta Carbonell, a quien su mamá enviaba latas de frijoles y arroz blanco para que cocinar congrí cuando se mudó a Los Ángeles. No era para menos, pues se había criado comiendo picadillo con plátanos fritos y no conocía comer el pavo de Día de Acción Gracias sin arroz, frijoles negros y yuca de acompañantes. “Aunque, de verdad, el mayor regalo que me pudieron dar mis padres es su extraordinario ejemplo”. – J.U.

It was announced during Netflix TUDUM that The RIP (Previously titled RIP) will stream on Netflix on January 16, 2026. Initially it was anticipated to release in fall of 2025.

Actors Carlos Gomez, Nestor Carbonell, and Shannon Carbonell shared industry wisdom with theatre arts students.

Accomplished actors Carlos Gomez, Shannon Carbonell, and Nestor Carbonell recently offered invaluable insights gleaned from their extensive careers spanning the stage, television, and film to students at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences.

During an April 4 visit to a “Performance Laboratory” class taught by Kevin Kennison, an associate professor of professional practice in the Department of Theatre Arts, these seasoned professionals shared practical advice and inspiration, guiding students on navigating the entertainment industry while nurturing their enduring passion for their craft. The students also had the opportunity to ask questions.

The event, held in the Black Box Theatre in the new Theatre Arts Building, provided students with a unique opportunity to learn directly from working actors and gain insights into topics ranging from handling setbacks to mastering the intricacies of acting techniques.

Nestor Carbonell: Discipline, learning, and honesty in craft

Nestor Carbonell, most familiar to audiences from his roles in “Lost,” “The Morning Show,” and “Bates Motel,” emphasized discipline and continuous learning. He traced his own journey back to a college course on the Meisner acting technique and stressed the importance of lifelong learning. “Never stop learning, no matter how accomplished you are,” he said. “Go into anything as an opportunity to learn.”

Carbonell also focused on the actor’s mindset and techniques for managing pressure. He suggested practices such as meditation, relaxation, mindfulness, yoga, and breathing exercises. He also encouraged actors to be proactive in their careers.

“Actors are waiting for the cavalry to save them. You are the cavalry. Don’t wait,” he said, advocating for taking screenwriting classes and creating one’s own opportunities through independent projects and student films. This is advice Carbonell has followed in his own career, in which he has broadened his work beyond acting to direct TV episodes.

When discussing the craft of acting, Carbonell emphasized simplicity and honesty. He advised actors to focus on the natural flow of speech in order to discover the full thoughts and ideas a character is trying to express.

Shannon Carbonell: Practicality, perseverance, and self-awareness

Shannon Carbonell, known professionally as Shannon Kenny, has been a series regular on many TV shows, including “Muscle,” “The Invisible Man,” and “Seventh Heaven,” and has also voiced characters in cartoons. She emphasized the importance of a balanced life and cautioned students against sacrificing personal relationships for their careers.

Equally impactful was Carbonell’s encouragement to never miss an opportunity to act. She advised students to “Always do acting classes,” highlighting them not only as a means of honing their skills but also as valuable networking opportunities. She underscored the importance of continuous training and learning from various teachers to “create your own technique.”

Carbonell also shared insights on self-awareness and managing self-criticism, drawing from her own experiences of learning not to be overly critical of others or of herself. She encouraged students to focus on “the joy of the work” and shared practical tips on auditioning.

The collective wisdom shared by Carlos Gomez, Nestor Carbonell, and Shannon Carbonell provided theatre students with a well-rounded and deeply insightful view of the acting profession. By combining artistic inspiration with pragmatic career advice, these actors empowered the next generation to pursue their passion with both a grounded perspective and a resilient spirit.