Suhani Datta | The Chronicle
Long before walking through the doors of Mason High School (MHS) as a freshman, Bo Burkhart was navigating audition rooms, memorizing scripts and walking runways. Today, he manages the transition into high school alongside an active career on screen.
Burkhart has already appeared in the TV series “Classroom Confidential” and the miniseries “Shelter in the Mafia,” “Phoebe Phobia,” “Brat Pack TV” and “Obsessed with His Silent Bride.” His screen credits also feature the drama “Our Family Pride” and a Dhar Mann Studios production.
Burkhart got his start in the entertainment industry as a model through his older brother, Eric Burkhart. Along with modeling, Burkhart began breaking into the acting scene around the same time. His first roles were in YouTube series and vertical films, short films designed to be watched on smartphones.
“The first thing I was [featured] in was this small YouTube series on a channel called Brat TV,” Burkhart said. “Overseas, vertical films are very big, [and] I was in one of those as a flashback of the main character. Then, I was in a student film for an acting school in Los Angeles. [Then] it was another vertical film.”
Burkhart’s biggest role came in September 2024, when he worked with the well-known YouTube channel and company Dhar Mann Studios, founded by producer and entrepreneur Dhar Mann. The channel has 27.7 million subscribers and has produced more than 2,000 videos.
Burkhart played Marshall in the video “BULLY Doesn’t Know POOR KID Is A RAP GOD,” which has amassed more than 18 million views on YouTube. Burkhart said moving from smaller productions to a larger endeavor felt surreal.
“[The site] was just gigantic,” Burkhart said. “I had no clue where I was going or what to do, so that part was really hard. But other than that, it kind of just felt like anything else. [It] kind of hit me afterwards when everyone [knew] me as ‘the Dhar Mann guy.’”
Burkhart said the challenges of traveling to different sets and getting booked for roles make external support important for an actor. For Burkhart, that support comes from his family, especially his father.
“All of my family has been super supportive through my career,” Burkhart said. “Especially my dad, who funded everything and put a lot of faith in me and my talent.”
Burkhart said acting feels surreal, regardless of the role he is playing. He also follows a set preparation routine to ensure authenticity in his performances.
“When I act, it’s like entering a foreign world,” Burkhart said. “When I’m working with my scripts, I try to picture everything that happens in the script. Not just the lines, but the thoughts and feelings [of my character].”
While Burkhart is unsure if he will pursue performing long-term, he treats the experience as worthwhile regardless of the outcome. Meanwhile, he focuses on keeping his skills sharp through daily practice.
“If I stop acting, then I’ll be able to say that I did this in freshman year, and that was pretty cool,” Burkhart said. “If I continue, then hopefully I get to the big leagues. But every day I try and practice a little bit of my craft, whether it’s memorizing a foreign script or just working on my character development.”
Burkhart said his experience in the acting and modeling industries has taught him skills that extend beyond performing. These include resilience, persistence and effective communication.
“[Acting] definitely does teach you [how to handle] rejection,” Burkhart said. “A lot of production agencies want 18-year-olds to play 14-year-olds because they have more hours. You don’t get a lot of parts at all. And I’ve learned a lot of communication skills on how to talk to people, especially [to those in] managerial positions.”
Developing thick skin has become a necessary part of Burkhart’s journey through modeling and acting. Knowing firsthand how difficult it is to secure roles, he encourages other aspiring actors to persevere through rejection.
“Don’t stop unless you have to,” Burkhart said. “It’s hard getting in, and you’re not going to get roles often. If you do, good for you. I’m going to be so proud, but it’s really, really hard. So you just need to stick with it.”
