(Apologies- this file was accidentally  replaced by Episode 46. Sorry for the inconvenience, we are trying to repair it ASAP.)

Welcome to Episode 44 of the Actor's Guide to the End of the World!

A good friend of the podcast, actor/playwright/teacher/Brazilian JiuJitsu badass Timothy Davis, joins the show this week and it was a blast.  Tim talks about growing up in the midwest and going from jock and journalism major to studying theater at one of the most prestigious drama schools in history, the Actor's Studio (DeNiro, Hoffman, Ellen Burstyn, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando to name a few students). 

Tim shares what he learned, a brief history of method acting and its misconceptions, why he feels some drama schools fail to prepare their actors for the professional world and how much he appreciates his time at studying at Lesly Kahn Studios where he is also teaches. 

Tim takes the guys on a real ride this week with stories of victories, hard lessons, missed opportunities, and even being homeless for a period of time. Tim, also a Jiu Jitsu blackbelt and teacher gives an incredible and poignant description of all the benefits of Jiu Jitsu and why it complements acting so well. You'll also hear the most heart-wrenching first day on the set of Billions ever, shooting an indie film with Steven Soderbergh, and the time he was asked to be James Gandolfini’s assistant. 

Also keep an eye out for Tim's Distress Signals Project launching in October in Los Angeles - a theater experience aimed to raise funds and create awareness and discussion for communities in need. 

Through the highs and the lows, this is a gritty story of a working actor.  Enjoy, everyone! 

If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review, it'll help other people find the podcast as well! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on social media for clips during the week!

@ekansoong and @riansheehykelly on IG

Timothy Davis- @itstimothydavis (IG, Bluesky) 

Distress Signals Project live in Los Angeles @distresssignalsproject

Tickets available here - Oct 3-5, 11, 12, 2025 - https://shorturl.at/f09JU

Hidden Gems:

Brazilian JiuJitsu, 

Subconscious JiuJitsu in North Hollywood - https://www.subconsciousbjj.com/

Electrolytes for hydration

Time stamps: 

(0:00 ) Intro

(2:25 ) Growing up in Iowa and how Tim knew acting was for him

(12:25 ) Getting in to the Actor’s Studio

(16:30 ) The shortcomings of Drama School

(33:30 ) The problem of the “starving artist” lifestyle

(37:30 ) Being a “shadow artist”

(39:50 ) No one taught Tim how to read a TV script

(42:00 ) Getting drunk on a Soderbergh movie

(47:40 ) Working on the pilot of “Billions” and the worst first day ever

(58:00 ) Launching theater philanthropic project Distress Signals Project in Los Angeles

(1:03:50 ) Saying “no” to James Gandolfini

(1:06:00 ) Hidden Gems