Oliver Trevena is a name that has become synonymous with versatility and success in the entertainment industry. With a career spanning over two decades, Trevena has seamlessly transitioned from his early days as a beloved TV host to a dynamic actor starring alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names. From his compelling performances in films like The Bricklayer with Aaron Eckhart to Plane alongside Gerard Butler, and his award-winning role in The Paradox Effect, Trevena has proven his ability to captivate audiences across a wide range of genres.
But Oliver’s talents don’t stop at acting. He’s also made his mark as a producer, with projects like Another Day in America and action thriller Misdirection, where he’s not just in front of the camera but also driving the creative process behind the scenes. Additionally, his entrepreneurial spirit shines through with ventures like Caliwater, a beverage brand he co-founded with Vanessa Hudgens, and his media company Ollywood Media.
Beyond the screen, Trevena is deeply committed to philanthropy. He serves as an ambassador for Not for Sale, a global organisation fighting human trafficking, and produced a powerful documentary on female education in India. His dedication to his craft and making a difference in the world has earned him recognition not just as an actor but as a leading figure in entertainment and beyond.
In this interview, we delve into Oliver’s multifaceted career, experiences working with Hollywood legends, his entrepreneurial ventures, and his ongoing efforts to impact the world through his art and activism.
You’ve had an impressive journey from TV hosting to acting in major films like Plane and The Bricklayer. How did your experience as a host influence your approach to acting?
With hosting, I’m pretty much myself. It’s all about engaging with the guests and making them feel comfortable, so I guess I’ve learned a lot about listening and the importance of knowing who you’re chatting with. As an actor, I get to play characters, so it’s important to access my emotions to help with each role and the performance. Acting has helped me to honour and embrace my emotions and also to be present.
That said, I think that the need to be present and listen to others as a host helped me hold my own as an actor. The challenge was the most exciting part. It was a big risk. I had done quite a few acting roles and a ton of theatre prior to hosting, but it was still a risk as I went from a regular gig/employment to unemployment, and it was my choice, which some disagreed with!
The first role post-hosting was The Rising Hawk, and that was incredibly challenging as I had to learn a lot of new things like the stunts/sword fighting, etc.
Your role in The Paradox Effect earned you the Breakout Actor Award at the Rome Film Festival. What was it like working alongside legends like Harvey Keitel, and how did you prepare for such a pivotal role?
In terms of the Festival award, I didn’t ever expect anything and just enjoyed the process of making the movie, so the recognition was the cherry on the cake, especially since it was presented by my dear friend, Gerard Butler.
The Paradox Effect marked my second collaboration with Olga Kurylenko, as we worked together on Misdirection, which I also produced. Our familiarity surely helped ease my nerves when it came to facing off against a legend like Harvey Keitel. He was so generous and kind that it made the preparation a lot less intimidating. I just nailed the lines and fed off of his energy.
You’ve starred in action-packed thrillers alongside stars like Gerard Butler and Bruce Willis. What draws you to the action genre, and how do you keep your performances fresh in such high-energy roles?
As was the case with Olga, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bruce Willis a couple of times, both of which occurred just prior to his retirement. Also, as previously indicated, Gerard and I are good friends, so I felt at ease on all three sets despite the action-packed energy. May as well learn from the best.
By nature, I’m a pretty energetic person, so it’s cool when the role calls for me to channel that energy into the character. Despite the similar genre, every character has individual traits, so I tend to make those decisions based upon how they play into the script as a whole.
From producing Another Day in America to starring in Misdirection, you’ve worn multiple hats on various projects. How do you balance the demands of acting and producing, and which role do you find most challenging?
Well, Misdirection is the first movie I have produced from start to finish. I found the script, the director, the crew, the financing, and the cast, so it was definitely a journey and learning experience. I have a very entrepreneurial mentality, so when I began acting at first, I think the transition to producing came about quite naturally. Both are demanding in different ways, but I feel more fulfilled when I have a bigger stake and say so. It’s very rewarding to oversee an entire project from start to finish.
The Bricklayer sees you opposite Aaron Eckhart and Nina Dobrev. How did you approach developing your character in this film, and what can audiences expect from your performance?
It was truly an exciting project to be part of. I enjoyed the script and jumped at the chance to work with the legendary director Renny Harlin. His energy and talent are second to none.
Nina and I had known each other for a while, and I also knew Aaron and Clifton, so the cast felt tight from day one.
I played the role of ‘Patricio,’ Aaron’s right-hand man in the movie and somewhat of a spy. I really enjoyed the role as I got to play with a few accents. Patricio is German, American, and British in the movie, so it was a fun character!
You’ve also co-created TV shows like Beachy Head and co-produced the upcoming London Son. What inspired you to move into television production, and how do you see these projects fitting into your broader career?
Television is undoubtedly a thriving industry, and I couldn’t be more excited about future prospects. There was a time when TV was frowned upon, and actors were considered to be settling for a project that wasn’t on the big screen, but now it’s quite common for talent to work in both realms. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a series to evolve out of a hit movie or vice versa. I hope to be a force in both film and television. Just have to keep the creative juices flowing.
Your philanthropic work, especially with Not for Sale, is truly commendable. How has your involvement in global causes influenced your perspective on your career and the roles you choose?
Not For Sale is an organisation fighting against slavery and human trafficking. I’ve been involved for more than a decade. After attending a fundraising event and hearing how bad the issue is around the world, it really opened my eyes to the cause, and I couldn’t help but do my part. Just talking about human trafficking and other global issues helps spread the word and create awareness for a worthy cause.
My affiliation with Not For Sale helped pave the way for my involvement in other charitable projects and causes, including a docuseries I’m producing called UNMUTED, which tells the stories of female voices around the world that otherwise go unheard. The set in India focuses on the importance of female education and the issue surrounding forced child marriage. I spent a month there, and it was a tough but incredible experience, from a career perspective, it’s an honour and a privilege to help shed light on such global and harrowing causes.
Caliwater, your beverage company with Vanessa Hudgens, has garnered a lot of attention. What inspired you to venture into the wellness industry, and how do you see this business evolving in the future?
I made a big shift in my own life towards health—both physical and mental—and because I love it so much, I started to invest and build companies in and around that sector. From longevity centres like Next Health and wellness clubs like Artha to a protein drink called Happy Viking with Venus Williams and the probate training gym Dogpound.
Through everything I learned along my journey as an investor, I finally wanted to find my own company, which led me to Caliwater.
I felt like every health drink on the market still contained a lot of sugar or hidden ingredients but lacked an enjoyable taste, so Vanessa and I wanted to break the mould.
We are so excited about Caliwater and thrilled at the response. We’ve been best friends for over 15 years, and this is our first business venture together, so the fact that it’s a success is extremely rewarding.
It’s a cactus-based health beverage; essentially an alternative to coconut water with fewer calories, less sugar, and a delicious assortment of flavours.
We also have some amazing friends as investors, like Gerard Butler, Glen Powell, Nikki Reid, Frank Grillo, and Brooke Burke, to name a few.
You’ve worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, like Nicolas Cage and Kelsey Grammer in Grand Isle and Bruce Willis in Wire Room. What have you learned from these experiences, and who has left the biggest impact on you as an actor?
It’s been amazing, and I sometimes have to pinch myself that I’ve garnered the opportunity to share the screen with them. Both Nic and Kelsey are brilliant in every way; it was an honour to work with them. They have an aura about them that can only come with such incredible experience. Kelsey’s been a close friend for many years so it was also great to finally work together - he taught me to just have more fun with it and to just go with the flow.
Think one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from these iconic actors is to treat others with respect. It just tends to make the whole experience worthwhile if you treat others in the same manner that you’d personally like to be respected. Doesn’t matter if the person is top-billed, or oversees Craft Services - do unto others as they do unto you.
You’ve filmed over 12 feature films in the last few years alone. What drives your work ethic, and how do you stay motivated while juggling so many projects?
As for my busy schedule, I prioritise staying organised and keeping a healthy balance between work and personal life. This includes taking care of my physical and mental health through regular exercise, a healthy diet, and meditation. Additionally, having a supportive team around me has been instrumental in helping me manage my schedule and stay on top of my commitments.
Finding balance is an ongoing process that requires discipline and intentionality. I prioritise my time and focus on the things that are most important to me, whether it’s my businesses, creative projects, or personal life. Staying organised is key, and I use tools like calendars and to-do lists to help me stay on track. I also try to find inspiration in everything I do and stay motivated by setting goals and celebrating small wins along the way.
You recently wrapped Ice Fall with Joel Kinnaman and Danny Huston. Can you give us a sneak peek into what this film is about and your role in it?
The story revolves around a Native American game warden who captures a notorious poacher, only to learn that the poacher has an ulterior motive to retrieve a sunken treasure from the bottom of a frozen lake. Though originally from the UK, I tend to run a little hot-blooded, so the title alone sent shivers down my spine, and I think it will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
With your background in hosting major events like the Grammys and American Music Awards, do you see yourself returning to live hosting, or is your focus solely on acting and producing now?
I’d never say never, but it’s been very rewarding to spread my wings into other realms of the industry. For the time being, I’m taken by the creative process of acting, producing, and filmmaking. That said if you were to tell me 10 years ago that the likes of Drew Barrymore and Kelly Clarkson would be hosting successful talk shows, I probably wouldn’t have believed you, but diversity tends to create longevity in one's career, so I’d definitely be receptive to throwing my hat back into that ring.
Looking ahead, what kind of roles or projects are you most excited to explore next, and how do you envision your career evolving in the coming years?
I honestly love it all, but I find playing more zany characters and filming period pieces to be extra fun, so I am hopeful that I’ll have the opportunity to explore both scenarios as my career progresses—especially if I’m the one manifesting the material as a producer.
The Paradox Effect is out now
Words by Jheanelle Feanny
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