Gracing the US screens on the iconic TV show Days of Our Lives (if it’s good enough for Joey Tribbiani, it’s good enough for us), as Dr. Mark Greene, Jonah Robinson is a name we’re sure you won’t hear the last of. With an enthusiasm for his artistry that feels infectious, we got the chance to learn more about Jonah’s experience filming for a show that is watched by every generation in America and his favourite parts of LA that may surprise people. 

You are truly a multi-hyphenated star! How do you manage to successfully show up for your different jobs such as an audition coach, your college advising organisation (an organisation for seniors looking to get into BFA programs and be a creative, in front and behind the scenes? 

It's a cliche because it's true, right? I love what I do so I don't feel like I'm working a day in my life when I'm working on acting projects. I have found myself very lucky to be in an industry where every skill I pick up or area I learn about can contribute to my work. 

Both performance and production require me to be a historian, a detective, a student - with every new world and character that I am given. When I am teaching, coaching or directing I get to do all of the work I love doing for an acting role and then combine it with another creative mind to bring it to life on them. I have always felt more passionate about helping stories exist and be told, than I have about being in the spotlight. If that is by directing, coaching, or acting what matters to me is that art is being made. 

Given the popularity and cultural relevance of 'Days of Our Lives', did you feel any pressure when taking on the recent role of Dr. Mark Greene?

One of the most special aspects of joining Days has been the universal connectivity it has brought with it. It seems like almost everyone has some story about watching the show themselves or watching with their mum or grandma, watching at work or when they got home from school. I didn't feel a pressure when taking on the role simply because I didn't know how much it meant to so many at the time. My goal was to show up everyday and do the best work I could- execute at the highest level of performance and professionalism that I could to be proud of my self and honor the excellency of the production.

What is it about 'Days of Our Lives' that you think has allowed it to run since the 60s and still be seen as such a relevant and iconic series in American culture?

I have been trying to figure out what the differences are that have made Days withstand the test of time. There is a unique comraderee backstage amongst the cast. There is this sense of joy, unity, and a mutual unspoken motivation to collaborate, connect and bring the work to life. There are so many characters that all lean into different shades of morality and fight for what they believe in, that allow for the ability to be related to in the most obscene and recognised situations alike. The fact that I would be surprised by every twist and turn in each script I was given - not knowing where my own fate would land each day - got me super excited to play the role and quickly made me understand why we get sucked into the show. They cracked a code and it has been a blast to be on the side that yells "surprise" as the audience walks into the unexpected.

What’s the biggest difference between acting on the stage vs filming for a TV series? Does one allow you to have more creative freedom with your character than the other?

What I love about both stage and screen is the collaborative nature of the beast. It is a coming together of minds and experiences that allows these stories to flourish. On stage, we the actors are telling the whole story  (along with the production design) and the audience picks who they will watch, who they will relate to at any given moment. When taping I am focusing more on my own story and doing what I can to make each moment count so the directing team can then choose the key moments that they want the audience to see. So really, not much changes for me. In both I try to be as honest and present as I can, whether that's in take 5 of a 30 second moment or 2 and a half hours live in front of an audience.

As someone who lives in LA, what’s something that you think would surprise people about the city? 

I was the kid who was always playing outside and digging up worms… one of those things are still true. Nature is my happy place, I am at total peace on a lake and feel at home within the trees. What I love about LA, that not everyone realises, is that you can access incredible hiking trails and find yourself fully immersed in nature on almost every outskirts of the city. In the same day you can go from skiing in the mountains to sitting on the beach. I have a few favourite parks in the middle of the city that let me forget there is traffic on the other side of the sound muffling trees. 

If you could ReVamp one thing in the world, what would it be? 

If I could ReVamp anything in this world it would be how we listen to each other. It's not a hope of everyone agreeing or adapting new ideas, but I would love to see what would happen if everyone felt heard. Even if people diametrically disagree with each other on points being made or beliefs being discussed, being heard may be the first step to understanding one another and finding a way to lead with kindness as we go through the world.