VALDOSTA — When Pierce Wallace speaks about his passion, it is not just words — it is layered with purpose and profound respect for the art of performance. At 29, the actor, playwright, and visionary has dedicated himself to becoming not just a performer but a transformative storyteller. 

Wallace credits growing up in Valdosta with providing him with a solid foundation of community values and moral grounding. He credits much of his artistic drive to his upbringing and the inspiration he received from a childhood neighbor — Sonny Shroyer, famous for his role in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” alongside many other projects. Wallace stated that learning life lessons and being close to Shroyer set him on the right path.

At Valdosta High School, Wallace’s creativity grew with his time as a part of the Doopsters, a senior spirit group. 

“That experience was pretty intriguing. There is a lot of passion in the Valdosta Wildcats, and I got to see that,” stated Wallace.

Later, as a student at the University of Georgia, Wallace realized his calling. Inspired by Heath Ledger’s iconic performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” Wallace developed the persona of the “Georgia Joker,” which quickly captivated the nation. After being inducted into the ESPN Fan Hall of Fame, Wallace credited the Georgia Joker as the first part he played in his discovered passion for the arts and storytelling.

In 2018, Wallace boldly decided to move to Los Angeles and throw himself into the acting world. While the path to success in Hollywood is rarely easy, he embraces every challenge and opportunity to build his portfolio as a versatile and passionate performer.

Wallace starred in a recently released movie titled “Hemet, or The Landlady Don’t Drink Tea,” showcasing his meticulous approach to character development. Available on Amazon or Video on Demand, he portrays Howie Stumpp, a quirky character who embodies a mix of eccentricities and hidden depths. Wallace’s preparation for the role began long before stepping on set.

Wallace said he approaches character creation with meticulous attention to detail, delving deep into a character’s backstory, motivations, and inner life. For his role as Howie, he used a journal to outline the character’s upbringing, fears, and personality traits. 

To Wallace, this resulted in a layered figure — a loner and hipster with a rough edge whose aloof exterior concealed a rich, complex interior. This depth allowed Wallace to fully inhabit the role, ensuring authenticity and nuance in his performance.

Wallace’s dedication extends to the physicality of his characters, wearing slightly smaller shoes and working on the character’s posture to fully showcase Howie’s discomfort as a character.

One of Wallace’s proudest accomplishments so far is his one-person play about Lyndon B. Johnson titled “Reflections.” Performed in the intimate Santa Monica Playhouse, the play explores the complexities of Johnson’s presidency and themes of power, morality, and humanity. Written, directed, produced, and performed by Wallace, the project is deeply personal for the storyteller, pushing him to embody a character far removed from his own age and experience.

Wallace’s aspirations are clear: to tell stories that matter, to move audiences, and to continually grow as an artist.  While he has yet to achieve his “big break,” his journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and purpose. His dedication to the craft, evident in every performance, promises a bright future. 

“It is a financial struggle to live in Los Angeles and be an actor, but I have a lot of great support out here,” stated Wallace. “I am proud of my work as an actor, and I am not going to stop. I am going to be a storyteller until the day I die.”

Pierce Wallace’s journey is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: the storyteller in him will continue on one performance at a time.