Zack Yanni-People You Should Know

Entertainment, Film Reviews, Movies, News — By Buddy Sampson on June 13, 2022 at 6:23 pm

 

Running With the Wind at His Back

By Buddy Sampson

Zack Yanni has been a Los Angeles icon for quite some time now. Known in Los Angeles as a fitness trainer, Zack Yanni’s career as an actor, model and businessman reveals much, much, more. The handsome Renaissance man, impeccably fit model and fitness trainer has developed as a terrific actor, gracing the Netflix film “Trees of Peace,” playing the part of Militia Man, a definite departure from the kind soul he truly is.  A very inspirational man and leader, he once trained a client, exhorting his client to “run like the wind.” “The wind never stops,” said Zack Yanni. “You’re always going to face adversity and challenges, but it’s how you adapt to adversity. You can’t let adversity keep you from your objective. You keep your mind laser-focused on your goals.” Zack Yanni’s rise to the pinnacle of success will soon show the world how truly laser focused he is, running, himself, with the wind at his back all the way, straight to the top.

Born and raised in Cotonou, Benin, Zack’s grandparents migrated from Senegal and Nigeria to Benin. “It’s right by the coast, we have a beautiful beach,” said Zack, who as a child in Benin, West Africa, was always involved in theatre plays, UNICEF and The Chinese Cultural Center.  “My first two years of primary school was at a private French school. That’s where I started getting into theater.” He grew up in a very nurturing environment in Benin, where cousins, neighbors and friends all participated in his growth. “We never had to face issues like racism or stereotypes,” he said. “So, we grew up with a free mindset.”

Moving to the United States, however was his dream. He migrated to the United States, first living in Atlanta, then later, after being exhorted by his aunt, that resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Zack and a few of his friends migrated to Philly deciding it would be their new home. After attending Camden County College in New Jersey and excelling, he transferred to Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree.

Later, he joined the Big 4 Accounting Firm Deloitte & Touche as an International Tax Consultant where he acquired some valuable work experience before transitioning to the Entertainment Industry and move to Los Angeles where he started by studying the Meisner Technique at the Baron Brown Acting Studio. He worked with acting coach Charley Boon, who helped him with his training, technique and his role in “Trees of Peace.”

One of Zack’s biggest inspirations is Djimon Hounsou, an actor that starred in movies such as “Amistad,” “Blood Diamond” and “Gladiator,” among others. “He’s the only actor we have from our country in Hollywood,” said Zack. “Growing up, I’ve always dreamed of getting into Hollywood and become an actor, when I was in Benin. It’s a dream I’ve always held on to. I wanted to be like Tom Cruise or Denzel one of those days, but I didn’t believe it was possible. But from the moment Djimon appeared in Amistad, it was the moment that changed everything in me. Everyone was proud, the country was proud of him doing Amistad and representing Benin, our country in Hollywood. I said ‘wow, it’s possible.’ So, it wasn’t just a dream.” He actually met Denzel at a Jamie Foxx event and took a group photo with him. When he asked to take a solo picture with Denzel he politely refused. “He looked at my hat, the way it was turned to the back and checked my outfit and said ‘maybe another time,’” laughed Zack. “I was like, ‘I respect that.,”

It won’t be long however, before Zack is working with the likes of Denzel Washington someday. He hopes to work internationally and be recognized as a talent that can work in several genres of movies.

 

 

Zack rates his experience working with Trees of Peace’s director Alanna Brown, who also wrote the film and producers Michelle Ray, Ron Ray and Brian Baniqued as one of his best life experiences. “It was like working with family,” he reflected. “They really treated us like we were family.” The role is a complete departure to his personality, as he plays one of the antagonists in the movie. “It allowed me to be something that I’m not,” he said of working on Trees of Peace, who gave him complete freedom on the set. “It was fun to get into the imaginary character, to get into the mood and be into it, getting into the role.”  He has future projects in the works with Alanna, Michelle and Ron, is currently in France having just promoted the film at Cannes. He recently joined their team, RR FILM PRODUCTIONS as an Associate Producer/Business Development for future projects.

Zack is also a passionate fitness and wellness coach that received the Fitness Model of the Year Award in 2010 by the Fitness Model International (FMI) and Clark Bartram. While in college, Zack participated in numerous charity events. He remembered seeing children in Africa, that didn’t have electricity, forced to read by street lampposts at night, and he’s determined to make a difference. “We have to make sure to take care of the underprivileged,” said Zack. “We have the try to break the generational curse for families, we have to everything we can to bring light to people. I want to make a career that allows me to be a great ambassador to Africa and get kids out of poverty.” Zack also appeared in Music Videos by Jennifer Lopez (On the Floor), Kendrick Lamar & SZA (All The Stars) from the Black Panther Soundtrack. “Every time I get to represent Africa, I feel honor and pride,” said Zack. “Because I’m portraying who I really am, my roots.”

Zack is actively working to sharpen his acting skills to build and develop his career in order to become a great actor and an international role model for many under privileged kids in Africa and around the world. Helping and inspiring the world through his personal experience and career is his main purpose in life.

What motivates Zack Yanni to rise to the cream of the crop, making his mark, not only in Hollywood, but as an international star. “God inspires me,” said Zack Yanni. “God the Creator of the Universe inspires me. Reading the stories of the ancient Messengers, Adam, Noah, Joseph, Abraham, Jesus, Prophet Mohammed, – reading their histories and what they went through and how they overcame every single situation, every time I get into a situation, I try to compare it and relate it to what they went through and they overcame their situations. It motivates me.”

Zack Yanni’s rise to success can only be attributed to his hard work, perseverance and his innate ability to motivate others. His ascent into the soaring skies of success ensures that he will continue to run with the wind at his back to success. It is for that reason that Zack Yanni is one of the People You Should Know.

For more on Zack Yanni:

Visit his page at Imdb.me/zackyanni

And visit https://www.rrfilmproduction.com/zack-yanni

Tags: Alanna Brown, Michelle Ray, Ron Ray, The Scoop LA, Trees of Peace, Zack Yanni