Sam Nivola has expressed pride in his ability to carve out his own path in the entertainment industry, independent of his well-known parents. The actor, recognized for his role in The White Lotus, is the son of actors Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola, who maintained strict boundaries regarding his career choices during his formative years. They prohibited him from auditioning for roles until he reached the age of 18, but Sam took initiative a year earlier.
With the support of his high school drama teacher, he secretly auditioned for the film White Noise, eventually landing a callback for a role opposite Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig. Upon revealing this to his parents, they responded with astonishment, exclaiming, “Holy f****** s***, it’s a Noah Baumbach movie?! You have to do the callback!”
Reflecting on his journey, Sam addressed the concept of “nepo babies” in an interview with Variety. He emphasized that aside from his genetic connections, he attributes his success to his own efforts. “I feel proud that I’ve done it for myself, and sometimes in spite of them,” he stated. He recounted how he did not rely on his father’s agent to secure opportunities, highlighting his desire to ensure that his achievements were solely his own.
Despite his accomplishments, Sam’s decision to drop out of Columbia University after just one semester studying Latin and film caused concern among his parents. “My parents were upset. It totally scared them, which is understandable,” he shared. He felt conflicted during his time at university, stating, “I wasn’t happy at the time because I couldn’t dedicate everything in me to acting. And, I have problems with authority figures.”
The rise to fame brought unexpected challenges for the 21-year-old actor. He admitted that when The White Lotus gained popularity, he struggled with the level of attention. “I literally couldn’t walk down the street in Brooklyn—my hometown—without being swarmed,” he recalled.
To escape the overwhelming scrutiny, Sam and his friends sought out an unusual experience. They consulted ChatGPT to find “the worst bar in the East Village” and ended up at a taproom where patrons were prohibited from speaking. Sam humorously noted, “We’re yelling, ‘This place is f****** awesome!’ and everyone’s like, ‘Shhh!’”
As he navigates the challenges of fame and the expectations that come with it, Sam Nivola remains determined to forge his own identity in the film industry. His journey serves as a testament to the importance of self-reliance and authenticity in an environment often dominated by familial legacies.
