David Iacono, an accomplished, young actor, is best known for his role in the hit Amazon Prime Video series “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Previously, David was seen in HBO Max’s award-winning series “The Flight Attendant,” Showtime’s crime drama series “City on a Hill,” Netflix’s “Grand Army” and “Orange is the New Black,” and more. David will star in Netflix's upcoming “Dead Boy Detectives,” a drama series based on the DC Comics characters. A graduate of the prestigious performing arts high school, LaGuardia High School, David also recently starred in Tubi’s “Cinnamon” (2023), which centers around Jodi Jackson, a small-town gas station attendant with a dream of becoming a singer, who becomes the target of a ruthless family run crime organization along with her boyfriend, Eddie, played by David. David also stars in “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” as fan favorite ‘Cam,’ a boy who tries to win over Belly, a teenage girl, who one summer finds herself in a love triangle with her two best guy friends. Returning with a new love interest in the upcoming second season, you can watch David as ‘Cam’ in “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” which premiered its new season on July 14th.

What was your first experience acting?
It’s hard to really remember precisely, but I want to say it was this independent film in 2008. I had done a commercial or two before then, but this was the first time I was on a film set, being a part of a story being told. I had no idea what I was doing. It was a horror movie about a serial killer who forced his victims to choose which of his parents they wanted him to kill. Naturally, a great story for a 6-year-old to be a part of.

When did you know you wanted to become an actor?
It’s been a part of my life for so long it gets kind of hard to pinpoint. I always think back to the adrenaline rush I got from having a part in a sketch in 2014. It was with Melissa McCarthy and Nasim Pedrad, and while I had no lines, I was center stage between the two of them the entire time. That was probably one of the most exciting experiences of my life, and I’ve loved chasing that feeling ever since. Plus, once I got to high school and started learning about the craft, I felt like it was something I could actually pursue.

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How did you learn how to act?
I touched on it in the last answer, but it was at LaGuardia High School for Music and Art & Performing Arts. Before then, I think I was just doing it because my mom saw that I enjoyed entertaining people as a little kid. Then I got to LaGuardia and was lucky enough to be taught by incredible acting teachers, learning not only how to hone the craft, but why it was important to people.

What was it like to start acting professionally at such a young age?
It felt pretty normal to be honest. I think since I started acting from such an early age, it always felt like another thing to do after (or sometimes during) school, like little league or an after-school club. My parents did an incredible job at making sure I was juggling everything fairly, which I’ve always been so grateful for.

Which actor inspires you the most and who would you like to work with in the future
Always a tough one. Currently, Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and pretty much everyone else on their show does such a stellar job. So, to be a part of their show is the dream right now, or to just work with anybody that’s been on that show. Other than that, I’d also love to work with Jharrel Jerome (who also went to LaGuardia) on anything. He’s somebody I really admire when it comes to his talent and also his resume, especially being relatively close to me in age.

What are some of your hobbies?
I have been writing a lot lately, which has been really creatively fulfilling and rewarding, as well as therapeutic. I have a lot of ideas, but to sit down and get them out on the page has been dope. I also love swimming a lot. And riding my bike.

What would you be if you weren’t an actor?
I think the first job I ever said I wanted as a kid was to be a comedian. I don’t know if I’m funny enough, but I think in another life I’d be doing standup right now. Something about the necessity of failing in that job is so scary to me, yet mad inspiring.

Who is one of your biggest inspirations?
The first person that comes to mind is Dave Burd, A.K.A Lil Dicky. Which is kind of wild. I was a big fan of his music growing up, and to see him pivot to television so gracefully and with the same amount of creativity (if not more) that he has in his music was mind blowing. He’s so authentically funny; I’ve never laughed out loud harder than I have watching his show.

What do you enjoy most about being an actor?
Kind of a basic answer, but I really just love being able to help tell a story to people. It’s really a beautiful thing, and the fact I get paid to do it is crazy.

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What is the biggest challenge about being an actor?
The hardest thing is the down time between jobs. Personally, I’ve struggled with the whiplash of working consistently on a project for a couple months, and then coming home and not having that schedule anymore. I’ve been lucky to have had something lined up in the near future, but it’s still tough.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to work in the entertainment industry?
I’d say make sure you’re in it for the right reason. I know it’s been said a hundred times before, but the fact of the matter is I think it’s important to understand that it’ll take a big toll on your mental health if you’re only chasing your dream so you can feel seen. Feeling seen is an important thing that I think everybody wants out of life, but if that’s the only reason a person wants to act, write, direct, or produce, I think chasing that high can be unhealthy. Overall, I’d say always be honest with yourself and breathe when you can.

How do you prepare for an acting role?
For me, and I think most people, it’s about becoming as familiar with the script as possible. Understanding the ins and outs of why your character is saying what they’re saying when they’re saying it is the key to feeling grounded in a scene, I think, at least for me. Going over the material as much as I can before the day is the important homework, and then also being able to go with the flow of the scene in the moment when the time comes. It’s a balance, as I think most things are. Got pretty philosophical there at the end, [laughs].

Social Media.
Instagram: @davidiacono

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Emily Assiran
Talent: David Iacono
Fashion Stylist: Benjamin Holtrop at The Wall Group
Groomer: Jennifer Brent
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Mariana Apostolatos, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine