When Crismar Chacín-Ruiz looks back at her earliest memories, she remembers the winding road from her hometown of La Guaira, Venezuela, to Caracas, where her parents would drive her two hours each way for a simple but powerful purpose: theater class. At just nine years old, she had found her calling on stage, and the sacrifices her family made planted the seeds of a dream that would eventually carry her across continents.
Almost a decade later, that dream demanded an even greater leap. At 18, she moved to Los Angeles alone, determined to make her way in Hollywood. She earned admission—and a merit scholarship—to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, one of the most prestigious acting schools in the United States. But as she quickly learned, building a career in the entertainment capital of the world meant starting over from scratch. “Nobody here validated my years of theater experience in Venezuela,” she recalls. “I had to begin again in a new country where I didn’t know anyone.”
Two years after graduating, she is living the reality she once imagined. Today, she proudly introduces herself as a Hollywood actress, working across commercials, stage, voiceover, and soon, feature films.
Building a Career in the Spotlight
Crismar’s career is marked by both versatility and persistence. In Venezuela, she spent nearly ten years in children’s and youth theater, gaining firsthand exposure not only to performance but to the process of production itself. In Hollywood, she has expanded into new formats—appearing in national campaigns for brands like AT&T, Meta, Mercury Insurance, Rescue Agency, and Verizon, as well as lending her voice to projects streaming on HBO Max and Netflix.
Her work doesn’t stop there. She has been cast in short films, theatrical productions, and is now stepping into feature projects. “It’s a career that is only just beginning in Hollywood,” she says, “but one that has been in preparation for years.”
The journey, however, has not been without obstacles. Entering the entertainment industry at a young age comes with constant exposure to public opinion. As a woman, she notes, the scrutiny often extends beyond talent to appearance and personal presentation. Developing a strong sense of identity and surrounding herself with a trusted circle, she explains, has been essential to navigating these pressures.
The Power of Mindset
For her, success in acting is as much about mental resilience as it is about talent. She views mindset as a balancing act—pushing herself to improve without demanding impossible perfection. “One of the best ways to maintain a healthy mentality in this industry is to only compare yourself to yourself,” she reflects. “Only you know your journey, your circumstances, when to be patient and when to push harder.”
Her advice for others pursuing ambitious goals—whether in the arts or entrepreneurship—is equally grounded: believe in yourself, take opportunities as they come, and focus on small steps rather than the distant final destination. “The miracles start from within,” she insists. “One step at a time adds up to something far greater than you could imagine.”
Crismar applies the same philosophy to fear. To her, fear is an illusion—powerful, but ultimately not real unless we give it authority. “We only live once,” she says. “Life doesn’t end because someone tells you ‘no.’ In this career, you need those ‘no’s to eventually hear the big ‘yes.’”
Defining Success, Overcoming Loss
Ask Crismar what success means, and she doesn’t answer with accolades, awards, or red carpets. For her, success is peace: working at what she loves, sharing it with those she loves, and sending a message of inspiration through her art.
Her definition is deeply personal, shaped by one of the hardest losses of her life—the death of her father. Just three months after moving to Los Angeles, he passed away unexpectedly. He had been one of her greatest supporters, encouraging her to follow her dream of Hollywood, and she considered abandoning her path in grief. But her family urged her to continue, to honor his faith in her. “It was the hardest decision of my life, but the right one,” she says softly. “Every day I choose to keep going, knowing he would be proud of where I am.”
Looking Ahead
The actress’s calendar is full of promising projects. On October 5th, her short film Blue, where she plays the lead role of Christina, premiered at USC’s Norris Cinema before beginning its festival run. On October 31st, she returns to the stage in In The Balance with Collaborative Artists Ensemble, working alongside Emmy-winning colleagues in a production that blends mystery, the supernatural, and human drama.
In one of her most exciting milestones to date, Crismar will perform a solo dance at Gustavo Dudamel’s VIP Gala—Gustavo’s Fiesta—on October 14, 2025, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a landmark evening that marks Dudamel’s final gala as Music and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The event will feature an exuberant program celebrating music, culture, and connection, including pieces by Ravel, Beethoven, Dvořák, and Revueltas, as well as a special performance by the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA). Following the concert, guests will enjoy a post-gala celebration featuring Venezuelan trombonist Oscar Dudamel, who will blend salsa, bolero, and classical sounds from his acclaimed album Sueño Alcanzado.
For Crismar, being part of such a historic night is both a personal and professional milestone. “It’s an honor to share my art in such an iconic space,” she says. “Performing a solo at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, during Gustavo Dudamel’s final gala with the LA Phil, feels like a dream come true.”
Looking further ahead, the digital release of Love The Game is slated for 2026, in which she plays Cariñetta, navigating the pressures of high school and future choices. She is also developing a deeply personal film based on her own life, with hopes of producing or adapting it for the stage. In addition, she is collaborating with Tyler Townsend Entertainment on a project inspired by their 2023 short film This Last Night.
Standing Out in a Competitive World
In a city filled with aspiring actors, she embraces her differences as strengths. Years of musical theater trained her in expressiveness and energy, traits she now brings naturally to commercials and voice acting. She also sings, dances, and performs in both Spanish and English, positioning her as a bilingual, multi-talented performer in a market that values versatility.
“I’m proud of where I come from,” she says. “Our differences are our strengths, and recognizing mine has brought me this far.”
From the stages of Caracas to the sets of Los Angeles, Crismar embodies persistence, resilience, and the fearless pursuit of a dream. Her story is still unfolding, but if her journey so far is any indication, Hollywood will be hearing her name for years to come!
