Photo Credit: Anthony Thosh Collins
Martin Sensmeier is about to get magnificent. In just a few weeks, on Sept. 23, the actor will appear alongside Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and Matt Bomer in Antoine Fuqua‘s western The Magnificent Seven, a film that follows seven lone gun men in the old west who gradually come together to help protect a village from thieves. Sensmeier, who has appeared in predominantly independent films until now including Lilin’s Brood, False Memory Syndrome and Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River opposite Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, as well as on J.J. Abrams’ futuristic series, Westworld, has not followed a traditional path to Hollywood. He was raised in a Tingit Coastal tribal community in Southeast Alaska, where he grew up learning and participating in the traditions of his people. He qualified as a welder during his high school years, and, when he turned 21, worked as a roughneck on the Doyon Rig drilling the North slope of Alaska. He also attended the University of Alaska for two years before following the golden path to Los Angeles. Here, Sensmeier, an ambassador for both the Native Wellness Institute and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, shares his magnificent secrets to the City of Angels.
Where were you born: Anchorage, Alaska.
How long in LA: Since spring of 2007 with a year living in Alaska somewhere in between.
Neighborhood: Currently in Burbank.
Occupation: Actor
Favorite Restaurant: Granville. (The Baked Salmon!)
Best Sushi: My mom’s (seriously) or Niko Niko Sushi in Burbank
Best Italian: Maccheroni Republic
Best dessert: I don’t eat dessert.
Best place for a romantic date: Going on a picnic somewhere in nature.
Best Sunday brunch: Anywhere with my family and friends or Urth Cafe
Best place for a power business meeting: Soho House Sunset or The Hines and Hunt Entertainment O ces in Burbank
If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? The Ritz Carlton down the street from The Staples Center for business. For family and friends I always o er my couch. Or if they’re my Elders then I’ll take the couch, they can take my bed.
Favorite shopping venue/boutique: Nike Town.
Favorite Charity Event: Anything hosted by the Boys & Girls Club. They are a big part of my life so I really like what they do for the kids.
Favorite Cultural Event: Tribal Canoe Journeys up on the coast in the Pacific Northwest. Two weeks of pulling in Traditional Coastal canoes, singing and dancing with my people.
Favorite Cultural Institution: Native Wellness Institute.
Best Steakhouse: My kitchen. I cook a mean ass steak, or if you are looking for something a bit more classy Pistola Mid- Wilshire is also pretty good.
Best Pizza: Abbotts. First pizza place I found when I came to LA. I still go there on my cheat days.
Best Lunch: Anything that involves Smoked Salmon or any of my other traditional native foods.
Best Gym/Athletic Facility: G-Train Fitness. Best Massage: Free ones.
Best Museum/Exhibit: The National Museum of The American Indian. I feel a strong connection to the artifacts there that were taken from my Ancestors.
Describe your city in three words: Greatest place anywhere.
Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: My homelands. There’s still many places there that I haven’t seen yet.
All-around favorite spot in Los Angeles: Venice Beach. I like to play basketball there a lot.
Best Aspect of Los Angeles: The Grind.
Best Museum/Exhibit: The National Museum of The American Indian. I feel a strong connection to the artifacts there that were taken from my Ancestors.
Describe your city in three words: Greatest place anywhere.
Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: My homelands. There’s still many places there that I haven’t seen yet.
All-around favorite spot in Los Angeles: Venice Beach. I like to play basketball there a lot.
Best Aspect of Los Angeles: The Grind.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH MARTIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @Sensmeier
Instagram: @Sensmeier
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