Spenser Granese
we met up with rising star Spenser Granese in NYC just after the premiere of the film Marty Supreme in which he stars alongside an ensemble of supremely talented actors. Spenser graces our latest digital cover kicking off a new year as he possesses the kind of real, raw, truthful energy we hope will inspire going into 2026. he has a live current pulsing through him. he is unabashedly himself. so scroll on down and check our Brooklyn night pics and chat on his Marty Supreme experience , acting journey, influential hero’s, thrifted/90s/music style inspo, best advice for up and coming actors, a secret upcoming project, and the most rad list of bare essentials.
the bare magazine: can you describe your role as Clark in Marty Supreme and how it was working closely with Levon Hawke, Isaac Simon and director Josh Safdie?
Spenser Granese: In the breakdown, Clark was originally listed as a "Clark Kent type" which gave me immediate pause for obvious reasons. I think once they cast me that got thrown out the window though. To me, he's an impulsive man with good intentions until he feels crossed, then he will do or say anything to gain his power back in a situation.
When I started pursuing acting later in life, the Safdie name was always at the top of my list of directors to work with. Working with Josh was a dream. He's just a clear visionary. So composed and cool on set. Dude is truly a supermodel of precision amidst the chaos.
And the boys! Levon, Issac and Emilio are the homies. We froze our asses off on the back of a truck together all night in upstate winter. Loved seeing their work as an audience member. I feel like everyone got their moment to really shine.
bare: what do you think audiences will dig about this story? what makes it a good christmas holiday escape to see on the big screen?
SG: I think people will respond to it because it feels alive. It’s unbridled hilarity and danger but there’s a real pulse underneath. You’re watching someone barrel, free fall, toward their own myth, no matter the obstacle. I've been reading a lot of discourse where people have an issue with how "irredeemable and selfish" the title character is. Such low hanging fruit. I just find it so fucking boring when people think a protagonist should be likeable by default. I don't find that realistic, and again, how uninspired. I think it will resonate with the hardline dreamers though. You get it or you don't.
It should all be consumed through the big screen these days. Especially Marty Supreme! More asses in movie theater seats 2026.
bare: take us through your journey getting to where you are now as an actor...when did you know you wanted to be one? what actors have been big influences on you?
SG: I knew I wanted to be an actor since I was 6 years old. The first film I remember seeing in the movie theater was the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. I was obsessed with the cartoon at the time but Sam Rockwell had a few scenes in it as "Head Thug" and I think this is when my actor brain came online. I looked at him and said "I wanna do THAT!" However, I didn't actually end up pursuing it until decades later. I admired and subconsciously studied performances in films all those years. Being an actor just became a pipe dream in my youth. A warm thought that felt planets away. It's wild to see now that I knew all along. I just wasn't ready yet.
My biggest influences have been Gary Oldman, Sam Rockwell, River Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman. I've always been the most drawn to character actors. I'd say those are my heroes when it comes to this world. I've always felt a bit of myself in all of them. I had the pleasure of working with (Sir) Ridley Scott and he told me I reminded him of Gary. I didn't know what to do with myself but it really fortified the notion that I'm finally on the right path after years of aimlessness and doubt.
bare: is there any advice you'd share with other rising actors that might've been helpful for you coming up?
SG: It's gonna suck and bleed you out but then something incredible will happen that will probably make it feel worth all the sacrifice. Hold onto that win as long as possible, it's going to be fuel to the next stop. Get spooning level cozy with rejection. When it comes to auditions, do exactly what you want to do. Appease no one. Stop spending money on backdrops and gear for self tapes. You don't need it. Truly none of that shit matters. Just do undeniable work, block out the naysayers and don't give up.
bare: we captured a bit of your personal style. how would you describe it and where have you derived most of your inspiration? where do you find some of your vintage?
SG: I'd say for most of my life, it's been inspired by music. I grew up in the extreme music scene (punk, hardcore, metal, etc.) so I've worn a band shirt and jeans for most of my years. I think inherently, whatever I rock, always has some kind of punk energy to it but it's evolved slowly. Finding a way to maintain that look but make it feel more distinguished with a flourish here and there. Loafers with sweat shorts was something I leaned into hard this summer. 90's red carpet photos are always on my internal mood board, for sure.
I'm a Depop and eBay freak when it comes to finding vintage clothes. Varsity and Mills Vintage are sick. There’re other sites but I'm gonna gatekeep those because I want dibs. Sorry!
bare: growing up in Massachusetts and then living in NYC, would you say you've found your favorite home now living in LA? what do you like most about it?
SG: I lived all up and down the east coast. Most of my formative years were spent in Virginia, actually. Did a few years in Florida too. I've probably moved close to 100 times since birth at this point. The word "home" has always come with a strange feeling. I was wildly nomadic for a long time. NYC has felt the closest to the idea after spending 10 years there but I have really grown to love LA. It honestly took some time but I'm realizing it's the city that aligns best with the wavelength I'm riding at this moment.
bare: though i hear something might be bringing you back to NYC and to the stage for the first time....can you share any details?
SG: This is true but I can't say anything else beyond that. I'm just extremely hyped and grateful for the opportunity to explore and embrace a whole new monster that scares the shit out of me. I love running towards that sensation. All the good stuff is on the other side.
Stay tuned!
bare: please list your top Bare Essentials
SG:
Iced Americano w/ oat milk
Alpaca socks
Texts from my sister
Bonnie Raitt
My close friends
A loud box fan
Hood pulled over a baseball cap
My cat, Chainsaw
Parliament Lights
Self exploration and growth
