Iván Gisbert

Mesmerized
By
Iván Gisbert
Interview By: Sadie Duarte

One of the most interesting things about being a filmmaker is that I get the chance to talk to many great artists along the way. A couple of months ago, I was invited to attend a very special event in Cullera (Valencia) and the offer was so good that I couldn’t refuse. I first met Spanish actor, director and playwright Iván Gisbert at the prestigious K-lidoscopi Film Festival in October 2020. He’s been in show business since the late 80s and has starred in countless TV series, commercials, short and feature movies. Not only is Iván an incredible talented artist, but he’s also an amazing voice over professional. With the idea of making people happy during the pandemic, he released the Princess Bride as a series of free podcasts which he initially uploaded on Ivoox. To top it all, Iván dared to play all the characters in the novel. His mastery of the craft is so outstanding that while I was listening to all the audio files, I was absolutely impressed. Iván’s latest role as a sexy priest on the Spanish TV series Servir y Proteger (To Serve and Protect) was so sensational that the audience sky rocketed and everybody praised his work. You'll be surprised to know Iván Gisbert is good enough to play the role of a good innocent guy, a heartless gangster, a young hot teacher, a middle-aged psychopath, a friendly doctor or a funny friend who makes you laugh out loud. Priceless. But this man of magnetic green eyes and endless smile has other secret skills. Would you like to know more about Iván? If so, just keep reading!

Punk Globe: When did you decide that you wanted to be an actor?

Iván Gisbert: When I was nine years old, I saw a high school theatre group performing Cats at this college in front of my house. I was fascinated. I was crazy about Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire movies. I was impressed by the way they both danced and sang. It so happened that as I grew older and went to high school, I found out that this theatre group was the same I saw as a child, so I took acting lessons.

Punk Globe: Do you remember your first acting role?

Iván Gisbert: Don Diego Coronel from El Buscón by Spanish writer Francisco de Quevedo was my first acting role. We went to Almagro (Ciudad Real) to perform on stage. Back then, performing was all about laughter and funny moments for me and even right now, I can only understand my job the same way: playing and having fun.

Punk Globe: You’re an actor, director and playwright, which one of these activities do you feel more comfortable with?

Iván Gisbert: I can’t make up my mind. Everytime I perform on stage, I can’t get my director’s voice out of my head. I have a very wide perspective related to show business because I’ve worked with some of the best directors in this country and abroad. The writer’s loneliness while creating and developing characters is fascinating. Working with dedicated actors who trust you into directing them is priceless and acting is my life. I’m workaholic.

Punk Globe: You’ve written several theatrical plays. Do you have any other in mind?

Iván Gisbert: I have some of them in mind, but I don’t really have enough time. The first play I want to write is about a teacher who turns into some of the most important authors you can imagine, but that’s all I can say! I’m also working on a historical novel.

Punk Globe: You’ve been working on many TV series for so many years. In your opinion, what’s harder: the TV world, performing on stage or shooting a film?

Iván Gisbert: It’s not hard at all because I love what I do. I was born and grew up as an artist on stage and being close to the public makes any actor like me feel great. If any, the hardest part of shooting a movie is waiting between takes. Spanish actor Fernando Fernán-Gómez used to say he was getting paid for waiting.

Punk Globe: Do you prefer being the good guy or the villain?

Iván Gisbert: Villains are more enjoyable. I have this “I-look-so-friendly” face and it’s kind of fun to confuse the audience by playing such roles. Of course, being a good guy is also very cool.

Punk Globe: I heard you were also a singer in the past. Tell us about it.

Iván Gisbert: When I was much younger, I sang in a heavy metal band. Sadly, there are no recordings. Singing and being on stage was so cool. Yet, I reached a point where I had to choose and I went for musical theatre.

Punk Globe: Even though you don’t usually talk about it, I found out you can tap dance and practise fencing. Do you have any other skills?

Iván Gisbert: Dancing sets you free. You feel fit, agile and you always have a very good time. Dancing makes me happy. I’m not a professional dancer at all, but in all the musicals I’ve worked on, I’ve had to sing and dance. And I’m fairly good at it. Fencing, even if it’s kind of theatrical, is a sport and ever since I was a child, I enjoy being competitive. I rode years ago and I’d like to get a cool rider role just to practise again. But above all this, I love singing. Playing sports is my passion and I play a lot whenever I have a little time.

Punk Globe: What do you like doing in your spare time?

Iván Gisbert: Spare time… does it really exist? I love meditating and going trekking.

Punk Globe: Would you like to work in the USA?

Iván Gisbert: I’d love to, but I know my knowledge of English is limited. I can manage to have a trivial conversation, but I’ve been thinking of living and learning in the USA for a while. Five years ago, I lived in Chicago for three months and it was quite an experience! I love American people. They’re so generous and friendly.

Punk Globe: What are your next projects?

Iván Gisbert: I’m overjoyed because I’m currently shooting a movie with the great director Imanol Uribe in Pamplona (Spain) and Colombia. I’ll be working on a TV series shortly and I’ve just had the premiere of a new theatrical play: El Amor Debería Estar Prohibido (Love Should Be Forbidden). It’s a comedy. And it's doing great! Apart from this, I’m a host on a radio show, El Velo de Brigh (Brigh’s Veil), which is a mystery radio drama and thanks to my production company Como Desees Producciones, I’ve just released a new audiobook: Buttercup’s Baby (The Princess Bride sequel). More interesting projects to come very soon!