Ronnie Marmo is currently playing Bill Wilson in the open-ended LA production of ‘Bill W and Dr Bob’ which he also directs (billwanddrbobonstage.com). He is touring his critically acclaimed one man show, “I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce,” which he wrote and is directed by Joe Mantegna. Marmo is an acclaimed playwright, director and actor who has starred in more than 40 stage plays and 80 feature films and television shows, most recently guest starring on “FBI: Most Wanted”, “Ghosts” and “Criminal Minds.” Marmo enjoyed a three-year run on ABC’s “General Hospital”. He continues to serve as the proud Artistic Director of Theatre 68 in Los Angeles and New York City.

www.facebook.com/ronniemarmo

Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. My sobriety date is September 3rd, 1990 and my drug(s) of choice was basically whatever I could get my hands on! But primarily alcohol, cocaine and a lot of marijuana.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. One thing that really resonated with me during a particularly difficult time in my sobriety was “The Golden Key” by Emmet Fox. Also, just staying connected to the program and the people.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. A disease.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. Born in Brooklyn, mostly raised in central New Jersey and have been in Los Angeles for over 25 years.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Passionate.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. I’m not entirely sure I’ll ever retire… I don’t sit around well!

Q. How do you measure success?

A. I have enough to eat, get to do what I love and having my family and friends close (in distance or in heart) is my measure of success. I have most of what I want and all of what I need personally and professionally so that is successful to me.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. People cracking their knuckles (said as my wife is sitting next to me cracking her knuckles).

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation. They put people through rehab who don’t have the money to do so on their own.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. This evolves throughout my life but the constant has been my mom. Although I lost her when I was 24… I’m constantly in the pursuit of her approval.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. You don’t have to follow in the footsteps of all the men that came before me. You can break the patterns that you know instinctually you don’t like. You can pave a new path for your family in order to not squander any precious time.

Q. Who made you feel seen growing up?

A. Multiple trips to rehab.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. The streets were my primary teacher growing up and I learned a lot of lessons — some not so great and others about survival.

Q. What is a phrase that has kept you sober during challenging times?

A. Life is going fast and I don’t want to squander any more precious time.

Q. What major event or realization shaped who you are?

A. Hitting an emotional and spiritual bottom at 27 years of sobriety that led me to my best self over the past 8 years.

Q. What do you love most about living sober?

A. I have full clarity of my truth.

Q. What is something you swore you would never do, but did anyway, in recovery?

A. Work the steps ;).

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. My very best instinctual self. When my gut tells me right from wrong and I choose right. That is having a relationship with my best self.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Capricorn.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. The Big Book.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. The Pope of Greenwich Village and the Warriors are probably tied…

Q. Who is your favorite film director?

A. Martin Scorsese.

Q. What book would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV show that hasn’t already been adapted?

A. How To Talk Dirty and Influence People – Lenny Bruce…..

Q What is your favorite App?

A. CBS Fantasy Baseball/Football.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Lenny Bruce.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. Manhattan.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

A. La Lanterna in the West Village, NYC.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. At risk of perpetuating the stereotype…… Italian. But more specifically, a nice NY slice of pizza.

Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?

A. Shell top Adidas with fat laces, parachute pants and Kangol hats.

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. Riccola losenges, lactaid pills, glasses (thanks to the pandemic killing my eyesight from zoom), converse sneakers and a hair tie (I use it instead of a wallet to wrap up my cards/money).

Q. What is the best and or worse piece of advice someone has given you?

A. Best: Drink a lot of water and walk slow.

Worst: I’ve gotten a lot of bad advice … but the wisdom to know the difference.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. What’s scary about show business is that you don’t know what’s around the corner, if anything, and what is beautiful about show business is that you don’t know what’s around the corner… if anything. Follow your heart.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. Acai bowls, the Yankees, my family… to name a few in no particular order.

Q. Is there anything you do that seems mundane on the surface but has turned out to be sacred for you?

A. Watering the rose bushes outside. Its strangely meditative and satisfying when you see them bloom.

Q. What is your favorite compliment to receive, and why?

A. ”Nice hair” ….. I know I’m very lucky to be in the middle of my life with a full head of hair :).

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Being chased by a dog.

Q. Where do you go when you’re seeking solitude?

A. Home.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. I’m always willing to bet on myself and I find as long as I take the leap, the universe always delivers. It may not always be as I thought it would but I know I will always land on my feet.

Q. What is the hardest amends you’ve ever had to make?

A. My kids and ex wife.

Q. What is something you’ve learned about yourself in the last six months?

A. You’re never too old to dream.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. I’m constantly curious about evolving, learning and growing as a Father.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. I’m kind and fiercely loyal. You can count on me.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. The shared experience where strangers gather to talk about their drinking and somehow through doing that, they stay sober. It’s a miracle, really.

Q. When did you realize you were a grown-up?

A. Wait … I’m a grown up?