HOLLYWOOD
Fabian Arnold: From Broken Boy to Hollywood’s Rising Star
How Fabian Arnold is Inspiring a New Generation of Dreamers
Fabian Arnold is part of a new wave of international talent redefining what it means to be a leading man in Hollywood. With the physical grit of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger and the charisma of Tom Cruise, Fabian blends strength, depth, and vulnerability in a way that feels both timeless and modern.
Born in Cologne, Germany, Fabian’s story could be mistaken for a film script. After earning a degree in Business Administration and working as a licensed insurance merchant, he made the bold choice to abandon security for passion. In 2018, he packed a backpack and traveled through Australia, working construction jobs to fund his journey. That leap ignited a new life—one built on creativity, ambition, and self-discovery.
Modeling became his first global stage. From runways in Milan to campaigns in Sydney, Fabian quickly established himself as an international face. His social media presence grew alongside his career, with millions connecting to his authentic storytelling, lifestyle, and drive.
But Fabian wanted more than image—he wanted expression. In 2021, he moved to Los Angeles, committing to acting full-time. Today, he is represented by Jason Weinberg at Untitled Entertainment, joining the roster of Hollywood’s most respected names. Beyond acting, Fabian founded his own creative production company, expanding his role from performer to storyteller and strategist.
In 2024, he released Broken Boy, a raw exploration of masculinity, healing, and the pressures of growing up. The book struck a chord with young men across the globe, establishing Fabian not only as a screen presence but also as a voice of his generation.
Now based in Los Angeles, Fabian Arnold is no longer just chasing roles—he’s shaping a narrative. Call him the European heartthrob with a production company, an author unafraid of vulnerability, or a next-generation action-romance star. However you describe him, one thing is clear:
Fabian Arnold is a rising force in Hollywood—and one of the most compelling talents to watch.
Exclusive Interview with Fabian Arnold
1. You started in business and insurance. What made you leave the safe route and chase a creative life?
Growing up in Germany, the idea of becoming an actor didn’t even feel like an option. We didn’t have theater or performance in school the way other countries might — it just wasn’t part of the culture. I was also a pretty shy kid, so I never imagined myself on stage or in front of a camera. My dad worked in insurance, my mom in banking, so I naturally leaned toward a more traditional, structured career path.
After high school, I pursued a dual studies program that combined a business apprenticeship with a bachelor’s degree — something that usually takes six years, but I did it in three. I’ve always been an efficient thinker, and back then I just wanted to get things done and start exploring the world. I was 21 when I graduated, and instead of diving straight into a 9-to-5 or doing my master’s, I chose to go live.
I started modeling during my studies, and that opened the door to travel — especially when I went backpacking across Australia. That trip changed everything. I combined modeling with social media storytelling and was eventually scouted as a fashion model. What began as a side hustle quickly became a global adventure.
Through modeling, I discovered a passion for creativity — not just in front of the camera, but behind the ideas. Storytelling, connecting with people, expressing energy… I realized I didn’t just want to look good in a picture, I wanted to make people feel something. That deeper drive — to inspire, to move, to do good — is what ultimately led me to acting. For me, the purpose of life is to leave people better than you found them. And storytelling is the most powerful way I know to do that.
2. Backpacking across Australia was a bold move. How did that experience shape your perspective today?
Australia truly changed the trajectory of my life. Spending a year there wasn’t just about travel — it was about transformation. It shaped how I see the world, what freedom means, and what it takes to grow up. It was the first time I had to fully rely on myself — working jobs from construction to even stripping, living out of hostels, sharing rooms with people from every corner of the world: British, Korean, Filipino, South American… It was humbling and deeply eye-opening.
That kind of cultural melting pot made me realize how many different ways of living and thinking exist. It gave me a broader view of life — not just in terms of ambition, but in terms of empathy. I saw that you really can achieve anything if you’re willing to work for it. But I also realized how much we take human connection for granted. Being away from my family for a whole year made me deeply appreciate how important loved ones are. Not everyone has that kind of support, and I carry that gratitude with me every day.
All of those experiences — from the grind to the personal growth — have been a gift for me as an actor. They gave me emotional access to different walks of life and a deeper understanding of human behavior. Whether I’m playing a broken character or someone full of ambition, I’ve lived enough lives in that one year to draw from truthfully.
3. From global modeling to acting—how has one influenced the other in your artistic journey?
Modeling and acting definitely overlap in some ways — both involve cameras, lenses, lighting, and understanding how to move within a frame. In modeling, you become very aware of how light hits your face, how to position your body, and how to tell a story through a single image. That helped me become confident in front of the camera early on.
But acting adds a whole new layer — or ten. You’re not just shaping your jawline or finding the light, you’re embodying a full character, with depth, history, and emotion. In modeling, especially with e-commerce, you often present a blank canvas. In acting, you’re expected to fill that canvas with truth and feeling. And one of the biggest technical shifts is learning not to look into the camera — something you do all the time in modeling.
That said, the gap between the two worlds is shrinking. A lot of fashion campaigns now feel like mini films. Commercials blend modeling and acting more than ever, and with social media storytelling, it all starts to blur. I’d say modeling gave me confidence, awareness, and presence. But acting gave me soul, purpose, and the thrill of transformation.
4. Your book Broken Boy touches on masculinity and healing. What pushed you to share such personal truths?
People have always asked me about my journey — from my small hometown to the different paths I’ve taken around the world. And every time I started opening up about what I’ve been through, I realized just how much pain, growth, and healing were woven into it all. Reading other people’s stories helped me so much in my own process, and that made me think: maybe my story could help someone else too.
Giving back is something I believe in deeply. And I knew I couldn’t do that if I kept my journey to myself. Writing Broken Boy was a way for me to open up, to be honest, and hopefully to create a safe space for others to feel seen. Even if it just touches a few people — if someone reads it and feels a little less alone, a little more hopeful — then I know I’ve fulfilled part of my purpose.
What makes Broken Boy different from a lot of books is that I wrote it while still in the thick of it — still on the journey. I’m not speaking from the mountaintop of “I made it.” I’m speaking from the climb. It’s raw, it’s real, and it comes from someone still figuring it all out. And I think that honesty, that unfinished perspective, is something a lot of people can relate to right now.
5. Being represented by Jason Weinberg is huge. How has that elevated your Hollywood journey?
Having Jason Weinberg on my management team has definitely been a milestone — not just professionally, but mentally as well. He represents some of the most iconic American stars like Orlando Bloom, Dakota Johnson, and Demi Moore, so just being in that circle already shifts how people perceive you — and how you perceive yourself.
But at the end of the day, that name next to mine doesn’t do the work for me. Jason’s involvement is a huge vote of confidence, but it’s not a guarantee. I still have to show up, deliver, grow, and prove that I belong in the room. He’s not going to wait around for me to figure it out — and that pressure is something I welcome. It reminds me that I have to earn it, every single day.
Having someone like him in my corner is incredible — but staying in that corner? That’s on me.
6. You launched your own production company. What kind of stories are you excited to create?
During COVID, like many creatives, I started thinking outside the box. I began shooting commercials with my videographer — projects for hotels, car brands, and lifestyle campaigns. That process got me comfortable behind the scenes and sparked something deeper. The more I got into acting, the more I felt this urge to tell my own stories — to write, to shape narratives, and eventually, to produce them through my own production company.
Right now, that vision is coming to life step by step. I’m especially drawn to two genres: comedy and romantic drama. I think the world could use a bit of lightness again — stories that make us laugh, breathe, and escape. But I’m also a huge fan of love dramas — all the classic Nicholas Sparks films had a real impact on me. There’s something timeless about that kind of emotional storytelling. If I can create films that bring people joy, healing, or even a good cry — I’ll be doing exactly what I set out to do.
7. You’re being seen as a modern action-romance star. How do you balance strength and vulnerability on screen?
For me, the balance between strength and vulnerability isn’t something I consciously try to create — it’s just who I am. Physically, sure, I have the build of an action guy. But at my core, I’m a deeply emotional, empathetic person. I feel things intensely. I pick up on the energy around me. That emotional intelligence is one of my biggest tools as an actor — being able to truly understand people, and then bring that understanding to the screen.
So when you combine that kind of sensitivity with the look of an action lead, you land in this sweet spot — the action-romance space. And honestly, that’s exactly where I want to be. I’ve always looked up to actors like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Jackman, and Jake Gyllenhaal — guys who can lead an action film but still make you feel every beat of a love story. That duality is powerful, and it’s where I feel most at home as an actor.
Credits
Photographer: Derrick Freske
Grooming: Gabrielle Alvarez
Styling: Oli Sara
