Reel to Real: Ross Butler on acting, authenticity and the algorithm

Unlike high-budget Hollywood sets, Worth the Wait leaned into the energy of its surroundings. At iconic locations like Batu Caves and Jalan Alor, the production team let real life unfold around the actors. “We didn’t block off entire streets or crowds,” Butler explains. “That natural energy brought the realism we needed—and it shows.”

That same groundedness extends to Butler himself, who, despite his action-hero physique, jokes that filming in KL was dangerous for his diet. “If I stayed here longer, I would’ve gotten fat,” he says, grinning. “The food is just too good.”

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A former chemical engineering student-turned-actor, Butler is known not just for his roles in 13 Reasons Why and Shazam!, but also for his athleticism. Still, juggling acting with a high-performance lifestyle isn’t always easy. “Sometimes we’re filming 14 to 15 hours a day,” he says. “You just do your best—some push-ups on set, maybe.”

While sports gave him discipline, Butler is quick to point out that acting requires the opposite in some ways. “With sports, the harder you train, the better your results. But with acting, over-preparing can actually work against you. You have to let go.”

Now in his mid-30s, Butler is intentional about evolving beyond high school roles and playing characters that reflect real-world complexity. “I finally graduated,” he jokes. “Now I want to play people my age, with adult problems—not just teenage naivete.”

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And in an entertainment landscape dominated by short-form content and fast fame, Butler is choosing substance over speed. “I don’t want to be a distraction,” he says. “I want to tell stories that people can fall into.” He admits that while there’s temptation to chase trends, he avoids social media to protect his creative identity. “I don’t want the algorithm to decide what I’m interested in.”

Instead, he leans on personal hobbies and offline outlets to stay authentic. “Hobbies are underrated. They’re not about money or validation—they’re about doing something that makes you proud of yourself.”

When asked about his dream role, Butler hesitates a little. “There’s no specific character. I want to explore genres—a heist movie, a spy film, something like Rush Hour. Roles that let me do action, comedy and represent in a way that hasn’t really existed for Asian leads.”

His advice for young actors trying to stand out in a hyper-saturated industry is practical and refreshingly honest: “It’s the most competitive job market in the world. You have to lean into how people perceive you. That’s your foot in the door. From there, you can evolve.”

Ultimately, Butler knows the value of playing the long game. Whether it’s a delayed breakthrough or a quiet moment of connection on set, some things are truly worth the wait.

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