Actor Ken Davitian Transitions into New Genres

“I believe in some of the conservative policies of the Republican Party, especially on the issues of the economy and guns,” Davitian said. “I’ve only shot a gun twice, I don’t own a gun and I don’t want a gun, but I believe everyone should have the right to have one for their own protection.”

On foreign policy however, Davitian strikes a more dovish tone. “Instead of nation building, I believe that nations should build their countries themselves. On the Syrian Civil War, I believe that Russia and America shouldn’t be involved, and to let this dispute be settled by the Syrian people only.”

Davitian added that he believes that there are many closet Republicans who remain hushed. “I think there are a lot of Republicans in the industry, but they keep their views private due to intense backlash.”

Helping Armenia

The country of Armenia has had a rich film history dating back to 1924, when the first Armenian film studio, Armenfilm, was established.

Davitian has also been pursuing the idea of bringing about modern film studios in Armenia and establishing a cost effective film production industry which can generate jobs and create new revenue for the country.

“I have the ability because of the connections I have to know how to build a proper studio in Armenia,” Davitian said. “A film production incentive will have to be offered to attract producers to bring projects there as many other countries currently offer.  This would help stimulate the West to invest in Armenia and create new jobs.”

Armenia went through a velvet revolution earlier this year which completely changed the complexion of the entire Armenian government. This changeover is expected to attract potential investors, such as those brought by Davitian, as the new government is encouraging foreign investment and development. A production tax rebate is a proposal that Davitian plans to present to the government officials to attract more investors to come into Armenia.

“I want solid studios such as Universal and Warner Brothers to oversee the build out so that the improvements would be permanent and not short-lived,” Davitian said. “However, most of the new leadership is young and with the tumultuous nature of the past year, it will take a few months for our studio incentives to be considered.”

Davitian feels strongly about his heritage and his reasons for wanting to help his ancestral homeland. “Because I am Armenian-American,” Davitian said. “If we don’t help Armenia, no one else will. The AYF (Armenian Youth Federation) also helped me become passionate about Armenian issues, and the swearing-in ceremony when I was 21 really helped open up my eyes to its purpose and how we can help and make an impact.”

Davitian has been an actor, comedian, producer, and a restaurant owner. However, on what achievement makes him the most proud — his granddaughter, Talia. “Talia just turned 3 and she is the light of my life,” Davitian said. “I spent the last two years, three days a week with that girl, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.”

On what is next in the life of Ken Davitian, he describes his numerous pilots in development. “I have four pilots, I started six years ago with a pilot called ‘Popo Papa.’ The show is about how an Armenian father goes to live with his daughter and her African-American husband,” Davitian said. “The next pilot is called ‘Ass and Garcia.’ My character is Boris Asatoryan, a captain of the Russian police in Moscow who goes to Las Vegas to track down his daughter, and meets Natasha Garcia, a member of the military police. The third pilot is called ‘Assbasator,’ where I am the illegitimate son of Gorbachev and I have his birthmark on my butt. I am the Russian Ambassador to the United States and I have a great time partying and having fun until a hardass new American President comes along. My fourth pilot will be a story on how my character, Al, an older Armenian man, dates a transgender woman and invites her into his Armenian home, where Al teaches her Armenian values and his girlfriend teaches him the ideas of the LGBT movement.”

The veteran actor has guest starred in many movies and TV shows, including  “The Closer,” “Boston Legal” and “Mind of Mencia,” among many others. He is also working on many TV series and movies, including “Stupid Cupid,” “African Mystique” and “The Wicket Path.”