Ronen Rubinstein has said that acting "saved my life." In fact, his high school guidance counselor introduced him to theater as a form of therapy and an escape from the opioid epidemic in his Staten Island neighborhood.
Born in Rehovot, Israel to immigrant parents from the former Soviet Union, Rubinstein felt like an outsider for much of his childhood. After moving to the U.S. at age five, he struggled through English classes, and adapting to American culture.
Things turned around for him when he pursued professional acting, and soon fell in love with the craft. He made his screen debut at 17 in the psychological drama film
Detachment
. Following high school, he attended the New York Film Academy.
His TV credits include
9-1-1: Lone Star, Orange is the New Black
, and
American Horror Stories
.
He is also the frontman for Nights in Stereo, a rock band he formed with two friends during the pandemic.
Outside of acting and music, Rubinstein has taken on advocacy for a variety of causes, from environmentalism to LGBTQ+ rights.
What was the last book you read?
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir
by Paul Newman
What's your all-time favorite movie ?
I can narrow it down to
Fight Club
and
The Notebook
.
What's your favorite Jewish food?
Sufganiyot
(Israeli Donuts)
What are you listening to these days?
On repeat is Kings of Leon's new album "Can We Please Have Fun," the Incubus album "Morning View," and my favorite podcast
Smartless
.
Who was the last person you texted on your phone?
My wife, Jessica.
If you could invite three people to a Shabbat dinner, who would they be?
Bob Marley, Kurt Cobain, and Mac Miller--my Jewish guest of honor.
If you could have any other occupation, what would it be?
Marine biologist.
Who are two of your biggest role models?
My wife and Kobe Bryant.
What are you currently binging on TV?
The Boys
If you could offer the teen version of yourself one piece of wisdom, what would it be?
It will all work out, my friend.
