Anthony Ramos is stepping into a new phase of his career, embracing villainous roles while reflecting on his journey from Broadway to Hollywood. Best known for his roles in musicals like Hamilton and films such as In the Heights, Ramos is now set to portray the character Hood/Parker Robbins in Marvel’s new series, Ironheart. This marks a significant shift as he delves into the complexities of a true antagonist. The interview also covers his voice acting work in animated features like The Bad Guys 2 and the upcoming Bob the Builder movie. Ramos shares insights into his creative process, his inspirations, and his future aspirations, including a potential return to Broadway.
From Musical Theater to the Big Screen
Ramos discovered his love for musical theater in high school, which eventually led to a scholarship at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. This marked a turning point in his life, transforming his passion into a serious career pursuit. Reflecting on his early days, Ramos recalls, “Once I got into school, it’s cliché, but I was like a kid in a candy store,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I was learning new things. I never did ballet before. I had never done a musical theater history class. I had never taken an acting class. It was my first voice lesson.” This intensive training provided him with the foundation to excel in both stage and screen acting.
Conquering Hollywood and Embracing the Villain
A decade later, Ramos has solidified his presence in Hollywood with roles in major films like Twisters, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and A Star Is Born, in addition to the film adaptations of Hamilton and In the Heights. However, he had yet to play a “real villain,” until now. His role as the Hood/Parker Robbins in Ironheart offers him the chance to explore the darker side of character portrayal. This new challenge has allowed him to broaden his acting repertoire and take on roles that differ significantly from his previous work.
Inside the Mind of a Villain: Preparing for the Hood
Ramos discusses the unique opportunity to portray a complex villain within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He describes his initial reaction to joining the franchise: “The coolest part was being on a Zoom with Ryan Coogler, Chinaka Hodge, Kevin Feige, Zoie [Nagelhout]. Just being on the Zoom with them and talking to me about the project and teaching me the project and telling me, hey, there’s this character called the Hood, this is what he does, this is kind of like what we’re thinking for him,” he explains. The collaborative environment and the chance to shape the character’s identity excited him.
From New York to Chicago: Reinventing Parker Robbins
The decision to move the character from New York to Chicago, and to portray him as Puerto Rican, added a new layer to the role. Ramos explains, “So I was just so excited!” He emphasized the importance of paying attention to the existing source material while also finding room to expand upon it within the TV series format. This involved exploring the character’s powers and integrating elements from Chicago’s Puerto Rican community, making the character more relatable and authentic.
A Scene to Remember: Emotional and Powerful
When asked about a specific scene he is most proud of, Ramos highlights a particular moment where Parker interacts with the forces behind the Hood’s powers. “There’s one scene that comes to mind and Parker has his own layer, he has his own place where he works, and he’s got this scene on his own with the kind of powers that be that gave him the hood,” he says. He describes the scene as emotional and powerful, revealing Parker’s confusion and struggle for control, which ultimately makes the scene very compelling.
Expanding the Universe: The Future of the Hood
Ramos expresses his desire to continue exploring the character and his potential interactions within the broader Marvel Universe. “I would love to expand with his character, knowing that , and we know in the comics that those characters kind of overlap and stuff like that, so seeing if there’s any possibility for any overlap with Doctor Doom would be really cool,” he shares. His enthusiasm for the role and the possibilities within the MCU are evident.
Animation Adventures: The Bad Guys 2 and Bob the Builder
In addition to his live-action roles, Ramos discusses his passion for voice acting, particularly his role as Mr. Piranha in The Bad Guys 2. He says, “Animation is one of my favorite things to do in this world of acting and shit. It’s just so much fun,”. Ramos also voices Bob the Builder in the upcoming animated movie. He appreciates the creative freedom and collaborative spirit in animation, where improvisation and imaginative input are highly valued.
Returning to the Stage: A Broadway Aspiration
Despite his success in film and television, Ramos hopes to return to Broadway in the future. He finds inspiration in watching live theater and appreciates the unique challenges and rewards of performing on stage. “I think there’s no harder thing to do as far as in the entertainment business… Putting a Broadway show together and then doing it every night, eight shows a week, I’ve not done anything as tough as that still in my career,” he admits.
Working with Visionaries: Ryan Murphy and Kathryn Bigelow
Ramos shares his experiences working with acclaimed directors Ryan Murphy and Kathryn Bigelow on upcoming projects. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with such talented individuals. Describing his experience with Bigelow, he recounts a moment in Iceland: “Kathryn calls cut, and she’s like, ‘That was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen in my career.’ I was like, ‘What?’ I thought she was playing.” He also praises Murphy’s creative vision and the enjoyable experience of working on The Beauty.
A Perfect Day Off: Balancing Work and Life
When asked about his ideal day off, Ramos describes a mix of relaxation, family, and creative pursuits. He mentions traveling, helping his family with their business, and working on his musical. “So it’s cool to do something that’s not acting sometimes too. Lately, we try to read these scripts for either a job that could happen or something that probably isn’t realistic, but something that looks interesting. I’m writing a musical right now, too, any free days I get off, I try to work on that,” he explains.
Decade of Growth: Lessons Learned
Reflecting on the past decade since his first onscreen role, Ramos shares insights into his personal and professional growth. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process, maintaining openness, and approaching each role with humility. “There’s never been a time that I didn’t have a good time, but I especially make it a point to have a good time on set, because we get to play make believe, like this shit is all made up,” he says. He also acknowledges the value of inexperience and fearlessness in his early career.
The Essence of Anthony Ramos: Authenticity and Heart
When asked to describe what makes him unique, Ramos emphasizes his individuality and the values instilled by his family. “There’s nobody on this planet that’s like me. There’s no one that talks like me, there’s no one that walks like me… What makes me me too is that because of God and my family, I was taught that whatever you do, you give it your whole heart,” he says. He embraces his roots and approaches his work with gratitude and humility.
From Bushwick to Global Stages: Anthony Ramos’s Journey
Anthony Ramos’s journey from the projects of Bushwick to leading roles in Hollywood and Broadway is a testament to his talent, hard work, and unwavering spirit. As he steps into his villainous era with Ironheart, continues his voice acting ventures, and contemplates a return to the stage, Ramos remains grounded in his roots and committed to his craft. His reflections offer a glimpse into the mind of a versatile artist who embraces every challenge with authenticity and heart. He gives his best to every new role and opportunity, while always remembering who he is and where he comes from. His journey is far from complete.
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