Rebekah Kochan: Mastering All Aspects of Hollywood

Rebekah Kochan Does it All!

Rebekah Kochan is a name you probably know, and if you don’t, then you’re really missing out on one of Hollywood’s finest! The role that cemented her status as a gay icon was as “Tiffany” in the five Eating Out films. While 2004’s Eating Out film launched her career, Kochan has been acting since the age of nine years old. Hailing from Las Vegas, an early example of her masterful expertise is that she won the lead role in a production of Annie. At the tender age of 17 years old, Kochan left Vegas and headed to Hollywood, California. It only took her a matter of a few short months to begin booking her prominent roles in motion pictures.

Showcasing her successful career, Kochan’s official website states: “She has starred in over a dozen horror films and IMDB has chosen her as one of the top 100 scream queens of all time.” She co-starred with Academy Award winner Adrian Brody, Michelle Rodriguez, Rob Schnider and Lindsay Lohan in the film InAPPropriate Comedy. She starred in and co-wrote the film Bro What Happened. It also stars Jamie Kennedy, Bobby Lee and Lorenzo Lamas. It was directed by her fiancé the well-known stand-up comedian, Dante. Not only is Rebekah Kochan married to a comedian, she is a respected comic herself, as clearly demonstrated by her comedic chops highlighted in her films. Regularly on the road, and also busy on film sets, Kochan still manages to find the time somehow to perform duties as owner of an entertainment management company, Golden Artists Entertainment. I don’t know how she does it! Let’s hear it from this dynamic superwoman herself, in her own words!

The Knockturnal: What has your favorite role been to date?

Rebekah Kochan: Playing “Tiffani” in the gay cult classics “Eating Out” still remains my favorite character to date. I love playing people that are total train wrecks, and she’s written so well. It was so fun to play.

The Knockturnal: What and who inspired you? Where do you draw inspiration from daily?

Rebekah Kochan: So many funny women have inspired me. Joan Rivers is one of my icons, and I was lucky enough to have written for her on “Fashion Police”. I am grateful for that every day. I love Sarah Silverman, Wendy Liebman, Felicia Michaels, Wanda Sykes, Ilana Glazer…I could go on for pages and pages. As far as on a daily basis…I think I just try to get through my day as a human on this planet like everyone else. Try to stay positive. Work on myself. All the “stuff” one is supposed to do. But watching great comedy from people I admire always helps 🙂

The Knockturnal: How did you get your start?

Rebekah Kochan: I started doing theatre in Las Vegas when I was 9, and did community theatre, and dinner on the Las Vegas strip until I moved to LA when I was 17. I was lucky enough to get a manager fairly quickly and booked the first Eating Out movie when I was 18, maybe 19.

The Knockturnal: What have some of your favorite Hollywood experiences been?

Rebekah Kochan: Getting to say you’ve starred in movies is super cool (even though there have been some nightmare on set experiences). I’m lucky I’ve toured the world as standup comic and seen amazing things. Getting dressed up for premieres is always fun. Just working in the entertainment industry in general, I know I’m very lucky to call LA home. I started Golden Artists Entertainment with my husband, Dante, which is growing at a rapid rate. I still tour and act, but I’m focusing on producing, writing, and my husband manages some of the most incredible talent I’ve ever seen.

The Knockturnal: What have some of the worst been?

Rebekah Kochan: Working in the entertainment industry. Lol. Look, I’ve been in this business since I was 17 (cue jaded actress) so I’ve dealt with decades of rejection, harassment, disrespect, sexism, general doubt of accomplishment, and everything else that comes with working in Hollywood. So has everyone else in this business. There’s good and bad in any job, right? I will say, it’s a HUGE step forward that we’re even starting to have the conversations about sexism, inclusivity, race, work environment, etc. Progress is slow. We just have to keep speaking up. Again, the fact we’re even TALKING about this is a positive.

The Knockturnal: Tell me about the comedy group you’re involved in and how that’s going.

Rebekah Kochan: Our company runs “The Secret Comedy Club” in Hollywood. We’re in the middle of our yearly THE U.S. COMEDY CONTEST, which is going amazing. So many comics have come from all over the country to participate. I’m also the “festival director” for The Portland Comedy Festival in Portland, Oregon, which premiered last Oct to sold-out crowds. It was truly an incredible experience. We had comics come all the way from Dubai to participate. The comics kept saying it was like “summer camp”.

The Knockturnal: What are you currently working on acting-wise?

Rebekah Kochan: Right now I’m producing 4 comedy specials (including my own) and am in preproduction for a comedy I co-wrote with my husband and am starring in. I also just filmed a pilot, so I’m stoked about that.

The Knockturnal: What are some of your dream roles and collaborators?

Rebekah Kochan: I want to be in a big studio musical (not Cats, duh)! I can sing and dance! I was in “Waiting in the Wings” one and two which was SO fun. I want to work with Greta Gerwig, Tarintino (who doesn’t), Taika Waititi… Jojo Rabbit is my current favorite movie. Any funny female filmmakers. I love collaborating with women.

The Knockturnal: What is your life in LA like?

Rebekah Kochan: Duuuuuude. Life was already busy AF, but 4 months ago my Dad, who has Alzheimer’s, moved in with us. It’s been life-changing, scary, and has forced me to get my shit together in ways in never realized I’d have to. I’m lucky Dante is such an amazing partner. He’s been incredible. Trying to find balance between work, family, and not going bananas is, and will continue to be a challenge. But I’m up for it. I have a great life, but I have to work at it like anyone else. Am I right?

The Knockturnal: What excites you most these days about the industry?

Rebekah Kochan: Women Empowerment! Women having an equal voice in all aspects of the entertainment industry. Also, it IS Oscar season, so I’m enjoying watching all our screeners. It’s a great year for film.

The Knockturnal: Where are you hoping fans can catch you next? And are there other various projects we should be aware of?

Rebekah Kochan: I’m filming my first comedy special this year (woohoo).

The Knockturnal: What’s it been like being such a gay icon?

Rebekah Kochan: I’m BEYOND HONORED that anyone considers me to be a gay icon. I do love that the majority of my fans are gay men. It makes my heart really happy. It’s one of the highlights of my life.

The Knockturnal: What do you make of the current climate in Hollywood with the Me Too Movement?

Rebekah Kochan: Like I said earlier, it’s important we’re (finally) taking about these issues. If you’re not supporting this movement you’re on the wrong side of history. Will all need to be vocal about our personal experiences or things will never get better.

The Knockturnal: How is married life?

Rebekah Kochan: Great! I was always afraid of marriage because both my parents have been married several times, but I’m glad I was able to work through my own issues and marry the best man alive. Truly. He makes me the luckiest woman alive. I’m grateful every day for him.

The Knockturnal: What are your future plans?

Rebekah Kochan: Continue to grow Golden Artists Entertainment into the global entertainment phenomenon I know it’s going to be. And do yoga. Lots of yoga.