Ian Duff - Actor of the Month for March 2025

Actor: Ian Duff| Interviewed by: Elizabeth Berra, CSA

1) Has there been a Casting Director that has encouraged and/or supported you in your career?

A few casting directors who have championed my career include Kim Coleman, CSA, Alexa Fogel, CSA, Rob Decina, CSA, and Leah Butler Daniels, CSA.

2) What is the project you're most proud of and why?

The first project is always the sweetest, so I’d have to say Up North. It was like a secret handshake into the industry—unseen by the public but somehow unlocking all the right doors. My friend Emil Pinnock, who created it, jokes that it’s the greatest pilot never seen. And yet, years later, it’s still paying dividends, like an investment that just keeps growing. 

3) What or who inspired you to pursue acting as a career?

During my sophomore or junior year of high school, I watched Antwone Fisher, and the relationship between Derek Luke and Denzel Washington was a defining moment for me. The first piece of text I ever memorized was the scene where Derek Luke’s character speaks to his mother, played by Viola Davis. That movie had a profound impact on my life. We never know who is watching us or who we’re inspiring—Derek Luke has no idea that his performance in that film ignited a flame in me. 

4) What was your first IMDbPro credit, and how did you feel when you saw it?

Homeland—Judy Henderson, CSA gave me my first TV credit, a moment that validated me as a professional. Seeing that credit reassured me that I was on the right path and that pursuing a career in this industry was actually possible.

5) How has IMDbPro helped you market yourself to filmmakers or other professionals working in the entertainment industry?

Using IMDbPro to directly connect with filmmakers has been incredibly useful, whether it's through contacting their representation or accessing a list of their past, present, and future projects. The same applies to casting directors. 

6) Any funny or memorable casting room stories you can share?

I’ve had my share of awkward moments in the casting room. In the beginning, I placed an unfair amount of pressure on myself—something we all do. I remember a mentor once telling me, “Own the room. This is your time to act. Forget me, forget the job—just have fun. Be memorable in whatever way that means to you.”  That was some of the best advice I’ve ever received about the process, and ever since, I may have taken an indulgent pause or two before I start the audition. 

7) If you could play any character in a movie, past or present, who would it be and why? 

My inspirations span a wide spectrum. On one end, everything Sidney Poitier did—his characters always maintained a higher moral compass. On the other end, The Driver from Drive—an enigmatic man whose actions speak volumes beyond words. 

8) What is something you’ve watched recently that you would recommend?

I recently watched Anora—let’s give Sean Baker all of the flowers. 

9) Tell us a fun fact about you outside of acting.

I like to think I was a martial artist in a past life—somewhere in the mountains, training in solitude, mastering ancient techniques. Or maybe that’s just my ideal retirement plan… 

Actor of the Month is a monthly collaboration between IMDbPro and Casting Society that celebrates the casting community and spotlights its members through a series of interviews between casting directors and actors about their acting journey, the casting process, and how IMDbPro helps them advance their careers.