Movies

Fabrizio Guido’s subtle comedy is a slam dunk in Netflix ‘Running Point’

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Before taking on the role of Jackie Moreno in “Running Point,” Fabrizio Guido didn’t have a deep interest or knowledge about basketball. Instead, his passion lies with boxing.

The 25-year-old Angeleno stated that acting is always reminiscent of boxing for him, when he received news that he would be playing Moreno, a snack bar attendant for the fictional LA Waves. This character learns he’s the result of an affair and unexpectedly becomes the youngest and newest addition to a renowned basketball family lineage.

A moment ago, I raised both my hands high above my head, mimicking a boxer who’s won an intense fight after 12 rounds.

In a comedy show debuting on February 27th, Kate Hudson plays Isla Gordon, the sole sister among a brood of brothers who tends to be underestimated. However, she finds herself surprisingly chosen to serve as the fresh president for the Waves organization.

Discovering that Jackie is actually the love child and the fifth sibling of the Gordon family is just one of several challenges Isla faces as she strives to make her mark in an industry dominated by men.

Similarly to her 19-year-old half-sibling, Jackie is eagerly trying to establish himself as a fresh addition to the Gordon family. Despite being an outsider in the family, Jackie’s quick wit and natural humor have earned him widespread popularity for his spontaneous remarks and effortless delivery.

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Guido has honed his knack for comedy through past roles, including Mikey Gutierrez from “Mr. Iglesias” on Netflix, Dennis (or Baby Joker) in Laura Steinel’s film “Family,” and Mr. Jensen in the sequel of “Good Burger” produced by Paramount.

De Los spoke to Guido following the announcement of “Running Point‘s” renewal for a second season.

The following Q&A has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Tell me more about yourself. Where did you grow up?

I hail from Los Angeles, specifically Montebello, where I was born. However, due to moving frequently during my childhood, I find it challenging to say I’m from one specific place. I spent significant time in Whittier and Pico Rivera. For a while, I resided in Culver City, and I also lived in San Diego for a couple of years. Nevertheless, my early years were shaped in Alhambra, close to City Terrace, which makes me connected to the East Los Angeles community.

How did you land the role of Jackie Moreno?

The process followed was quite conventional. A casting opportunity, dubbed “Running Point,” presented itself through my team. The character to be portrayed was Jackie Moreno, a 19-year-old boy hailing from the Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights.

They were looking for someone with exceptional comedic skills for this role, and it seemed to be a key aspect of the character. Upon reading about it, I became deeply interested. I believed I could add more depth to the character as presented, but that doesn’t mean our writers are lacking in any way. This is a persona and culture I am well-acquainted with.

I learned that my audition went exceptionally well because they had chosen me as their preferred candidate. The following day, my phone started buzzing non-stop and my DMs were overflowing with a casting call that Mindy Kaling had posted for the same role. I was surprised since I thought we shared a close bond!

I’ve expressed gratitude to everyone sharing the casting call, and I couldn’t help but feel elated. You know what? I’m truly delighted about this opportunity. It seems tailor-made for me to tackle my impostor syndrome head-on. I thought, “I need to believe I deserve it. Alright, this is just right. Let’s challenge the status quo. Let’s make it happen.” Boom! I submitted my audition tape. Honestly, I felt like the role was meant for me.

Walk me through the day when you got the news that you booked Jackie Moreno?

I can’t describe it, but I felt like a workhorse blocking out a lot of the noise.

In my perspective, acting and boxing have several similarities. I’m not referring to actual physical fighting or violence when I use the term “fight.” Instead, I’m talking about the elegant sport of boxing. The performance I gave felt like a 12-round boxing match at home, where my agents had informed my mom about it beforehand.

A call arrived from my mother, her voice trembling over the phone as she said, “They’ve invited you to appear on that show.

It was exactly the project I wanted.

What are some personal elements that resonate with you and your character?

Initially, the cultural element stood out the most for me. Since Jackie would likely interact with some Spanish speakers, I thought it was fitting. His character’s life is deeply intertwined with his relationship with his mother and the experience of losing her. I appreciate the depth this adds. I believe everyone experiences loss at some point in their lives. Given that I am older than Jackie, I had to tap into a more youthful part of myself – one that was eager and ready to learn.

And you got to work with Keyla Monterroso Mejia in one of the first scenes. How was that?

I chatted with her recently, and she reached out. She’s simply fantastic! I was thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with her since it allows me to witness an uncommon aspect of her comedic style.

Could you explain to me how you managed to develop a virtual bond with your older, wealthy and Caucasian siblings?

In a similar vein to Jackie, my thoughts weren’t about being accepted, but rather quenching a curiosity to grasp their understanding. For me, this thirst was particularly strong as an artist. I would join their conversations, absorbing their life experiences. They were incredibly easy to relate to and always had a great sense of humor.

Quite frequently, we’d arrange short family gatherings for lunch. In these instances, I had individual interactions with each family member. This setup allowed for deeper, more targeted discussions with each of them.

Did the cast give you any advice?

Frequently, I would turn to Brenda Song for guidance on sports matters since she is exceptionally knowledgeable in this area, and my own understanding is not as comprehensive as hers.

In our conversations, we’d often discuss trade rumors and various topics. She turned out to be an excellent guide, and eventually, the discussions evolved into questions like, “What signs indicate a project is suitable for you? How do you decide on making certain moves?” Over the course of our interactions, Brenda has been simply incredible in sharing her insights and experiences about her career journey with me.

Among my other family members, I adore them due to their delightful company. The counsel they’ve given me is primarily centered on life and personal relationships.

As someone who’s collaborated intimately with comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias on his series, “Mr. Iglesias,” and dabbled in stand-up myself, I find myself pondering whether my future lies within the vibrant, laughter-filled world of comedy.

Comedy has recently become a newfound enthusiasm for me, largely due to Fluffy. I don’t plan on pursuing it professionally, but rather for my personal satisfaction. My aim is to enjoy myself each time I step up on stage. Whenever I feel anxious about performing, I remind myself that there’s nothing to prove or gain.

I’m really excited about embarking on a tour. Every opportunity to perform as the opening act for someone I respect is truly special. I find joy in staying out late with fellow comedians, listening to their acts, brainstorming jokes, and dedicating my days to writing. Currently, touring plays a significant and substantial role in my life.

Out of nowhere, unexpectedly, I came across this video for a movie I made a couple of years ago. It’s truly remarkable! And it’s been great fun watching its reemergence online. Whenever anything related to “Running Point” is posted, there always seems to be a reference to Baby Joker. People really appreciate Dennis! I’m thrilled that this resurgence is driving more views towards the movie because I’ve always believed it to be a powerfully funny film. I just want to acknowledge Laura for her outstanding work on it.

What was your reaction to “Running Point‘s” Season 2 renewal?

This morning, I was sound asleep when my phone began buzzing with congratulatory messages. Initially, I assumed it might be well-wishers who had merely been watching. However, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an article announcing the show’s renewal for a second season. The news brought a rush of excitement, yet I found myself questioning its veracity and wondering why I hadn’t received any official communication from Netflix. Apparently, they were eager and prepared to move forward with this project.

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2025-03-15 01:31

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