[Manuel Garcia-Rulfo](https://www.instagram.com/manu_rulfo/) is a man of many talents. The photographer-turned-actor’s resume is slated to enrich and grow, with a number of exciting American film projects underway for the year. Starting his career in his home town of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and following the Mexican film circuit for a few years before expanding beyond country lines, Garcia-Rulfo would go on to embody roles in blockbuster films like 2016’s _The Magnificent Seven_ as Vasquez the outlaw, Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 adaptation of _Murder on The Orient Express_, and most recently, co-starring in Michael Bay’s _6 Underground_ alongside Ryan Reynolds and Mélanie Laurent, Netflix’s most expensive production to date. While his recent roles paint a seamless picture of success, Rulfo admits the road hasn't always been easy; early moments of doubt led to considering every professional route from directing to lime farming.
In May, Garcia-Rulfo will star with the venerable Tom Hanks in _Greyhound,_ a film anchored in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II, where the isolation and anxiety of the open waters and nefarious U-Boats crescendo. Based on C.S. Forester’s _The Good Shepherd, Greyhound_ serves as a solid reminder of Garcia-Rulfo’s rising star with American audiences. As he continues to pave his way through the industry, _Flaunt_ had the opportunity to speak with the Jalisciense, who reflects on the moments that brought him here, and considers what looms on the horizon.
[**DIOR MEN**](https://www.dior.com/en_us) shirt, pants, and shoes.
**How would you describe yourself to people you’ve just met?**
Well I'm from Mexico, I'm an actor, and I love what I do! I’ve been doing it for 16 years now. I'm an aficionado of film and photography and art as well.
**A man of many interests.**
Yes, especially art. One of my favorite hobbies is to take photos—I love photography
**What's your relationship to photography like?**
I've been doing it all my life as a hobby. When I was really young, I wanted to be a photographer for _National Geographic_. My father and grandfather were experienced in photography as well, so I think I might have got it from them, it’s just a part of who I am.
**There’s been ample buzz around your recent film, _6 Underground._ Share with us your experience taking part in the project?**
I felt so fortunate to work with actors that I’d known and admired for so long, like Ryan Reynolds, who I’ve met before. I felt very fortunate, it was really cool.
[**FENDI**](https://www.fendi.com/us) jumpsuit and [**ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA**](https://www.zegna.us/us-en/home.html) turtleneck.
**Were there any challenges you faced working on this film?**
I was very afraid to do comedy. I don't think of myself as a funny man \[laughs\]. The fact that the film is in English, it's completely different timing and all that, so that was another thing I was afraid of. Honestly if it weren't for Ryan, I wouldn't have had any point of comedy \[laughs\] He helped me so much, and came up with things so quickly, I felt really protected with him.
**Could you expand on the differences you've noticed between Mexican and American Cinema?**
Well, of course, the money and the budget. Sometimes there are films that are low budget in America but not in Mexico, Unlike _6 Underground_, where we shot it for 4 and a half months, you might never see a production that long in Mexico. That's one thing, and the other thing is that, Mexico is starting to become an industry with a structure. It was a little more personal where you knew the casting director and you knew everyone personally. Whereas when I started here, I noticed there were more steps that taught me a little more about an industry structure.
**When did you get your start in American Cinema?**
It's funny, actually. There’s this film festival in Denver, and my first feature from Mexico was invited and I got to go as one of the actors. When we presented the film, I was approached by another actor in the Q&A who asked me if I considered working in LA. He told me if I ever went and wanted to do a crossover he’d introduce me to his manager. Next thing I knew, I was in LA already taking a 3-week-course on photography, and I remembered what he said. So I called him, he connected me to his manager, and I went on my first audition. It was for a film called _Bless Me, Ultima_, based on the novel, and that was the first job I did out here and from there I kept it going.
**What was the moment you felt you made it or felt truly accomplished as an actor. Or are you still on that journey?**
It's tough because there's no certainty. You know, you can make a huge film, star in the film, and it still depends on so many things. There's always the next one. I remember booking my first short film and thinking ‘Ah fuck, I made it!’ So of course, every project in that way is an accomplishment. But in another way, you can’t settle, because only huge stars can take a year or so off and decide to come back. I don’t think I’m there yet \[laughs\]. Every project is a step further.
[**ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA**](https://www.zegna.us/us-en/home.html) suit and shirt.
**Are there any new steps we should be looking out for? I know you've been working on _Sweet Girl_ with Jason Mamoa.**
Yes! Jason and I worked together on _Sicario_, so we knew each other from that. I got to see some rough scenes the other day and they’re just so beautiful. It's a bit of a thriller and action film. Then there's a Mexican film with Carlos Saura, _El Rey de todo el mundo,_ a Spanish director. Then I did a film with Tom Hanks called Greyhound about WWII.
**Since you're back and forth between the states and Mexico, where have you been calling home?**
I love LA, it's a cool city. I moved here about 5 or 6 years ago. There's so much to see if you drive an hour or two in any direction. The food is also really good \[laughs\]. Plus, it's so close to Mexico. I love New York, but If I want to go visit my family, it's so far.
**When not acting or snapping photos, what’s a day in the life for Manuel Garcia-Rulfo?**
I play a lot of tennis, and if i'm not here in LA, I’m in Mexico with my family. I started this little farm where I grow limes, so if I'm not working I'm usually on the ranch.
**A lime farm! I have to know more…**
It’s a long story, but after my third film in Mexico, I got tired of acting and thought ‘Fuck this shit, I’m gonna go be a farmer \[laughs\]!” In my mind I retired, and went to the ranch and was there for a year and a half. Not too long after, I went to LA and ended up in my first American film. Then I started loving acting again and started back at it. That was about eight years ago.
**So we went from National Geographic Photographer, to Actor, to Lime Farmer, and back to acting again. What’s next?**
Well, I’ve always wanted to direct. I love film and I love the feeling of directing. It's great because it includes everything from acting to photography and has a lot of elements that really excite me. But that's later! I'm writing a personal short film and we’ll see when it's done.
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Photographed by Selin Turner.
Styled by [Jenny Ricker](https://www.instagram.com/jennyricker/?hl=en)
Groomer: [Anna Bernabe](https://www.instagram.com/heyannabee/?hl=en) using [Shu Uemura Art of Hair](https://www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com) and [Tom Ford Beauty](https://www.tomford.com/beauty/) at [The Wall Group](https://www.thewallgroup.com).
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