Brown Super 160’s Wool Double-Breasted Lipari Suit by Brioni
Turtleneck by Brioni
Jacket is Vintage
Shoes by Que Shebley
LAGOS Anthem Matte Tan Caviar Bracelet by LAGOS

Erich Bergen has never waited for permission to evolve. Known to many for his six-season run as Blake Moran on Madam Secretary and his acclaimed Broadway performances in Jersey Boys, Waitress, and Chicago, Bergen’s career has unfolded across both stage, screen, as well as behind the scenes. When New York shut down in 2020, he pivoted within hours, producing a virtual event that would ultimately launch his company, 6W Entertainment. Now, as he prepares to portray Anthony Radziwill in Ryan Murphy’s Love Story, Bergen reflects on purpose, reinvention, and why art must leave audiences engaged.

Suit Made of Dormeuil Cloth Designed and Tailored by Casey Rowe at
Christopher Schafer Clothier
LAGOS Anthem Silver Bracelet by LAGOS
LAGOS Anthem Black Agate Ring by LAGOS
Stretch Supima® Cotton Non-Iron Twill Ainsley Collar Dress Shirt by Brooks Brothers
Tie by Reiss
Cordovan Leather Belt by Brooks Brothers
Morrison Reserve Whole-cut Oxford Dress Shoe by ALLEN EDMONDS
Chair by GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS

Erich, you’ve spent years working across Broadway, television, film, and producing. Looking back, what part of your career taught you the most about yourself as an artist?

When the pandemic hit and I turned to producing, it was completely accidental. The first thing I produced was a virtual event that I started working on about 2 hours after the shelter in place order was put up and New York was shut down. That event, which came to life just over a week later, changed my life overnight and became the launching pad for my production company, which I’m proud to say has been going strong for 6 years now. That whole experience taught me that opportunities show up out of the blue at the most unexpected times, and you have to be ready for them. I spent so much of my life “producing” in my head, but I could never find a way to execute my vision in the real world. So I was doing the preparation without realizing it, and when the opportunity came, I was ready to grab it. I’ve learned so much about myself every time I succeed or fail as an artist, but that moment in particular stays with me. The accidental pivot that I guess wasn’t an accident.

You began in theater and later became a familiar face on television and film. Was there a moment when acting shifted from passion to purpose?

It’s always been both to me, but passion should not get in the way of purpose. Purpose is at the center of every move I make as an artist because I want to move people, inspire people, and entertain people. My purpose is to create art that affects someone else. That mission—that my work is really for someone else—is so helpful to me, especially in the clarifying and editing process.

You've played both fictional roles and real-life figures. How does your prep change when the person you’re portraying was a real person?

I love the research process when playing a real person and diving into their world, but at the end of the day, I have to leave that behind once I get on set. As an actor, I have to say the lines on the page. Nothing more, nothing less. My version of whatever real person I’m playing is really dictated by the writer. I’m portraying the writer’s version of that person. So I try not to get too wrapped up in being exact because it’s pointless.

**Left:**
Champagne Paisley Jacket by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Champagne Oro Lucentezza Waistcoat by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Champagne Oro Lucentezza Trousers by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Champagne Oro Satin Jumbo Pre Tied Bow Tie by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Stretch Supima® Cotton Non-Iron Twill Ainsley Collar Dress Shirt by Brooks Brothers
**Right:**
Outfit by Buck Mason
LAGOS Anthem Matte Tan Caviar Bracelet by LAGOS
Sunglasses by Stylist Own

You’re set to portray Anthony Radziwill in Ryan Murphy’s Love Story, a series rooted in real people and a very public, tragic love story. What initially drew you to this role?

The script. Given people’s obsession with this story, this show could have easily been so trite and trashy, but when I read Connor Hines’ pilot script, I knew this was something special and being handled with care, originality, and craft. That made me want to do it.

Love Story explores grief—not just as loss, but as something that can reshape relationships. How did that theme influence the way you inhabited this role?

It really didn’t while I was filming it – I was so focused on Anthony being there for his best friend, John, and that specific, brother-like dynamic. In the moment, these characters would not be aware of any overarching theme, they were just living their lives, so I tried to put myself in that headspace. However, when I watched the series, I became incredibly aware of how grief is such a central part to this story and this family.

**Left:**
Brown Super 160’s Wool Double-Breasted Lipari Suit by Brioni
Turtleneck by Brioni
Jacket is Vintage
LAGOS Anthem Matte Tan Caviar Bracelet by LAGOS
**Right:**
Outfit by Boglioli
Tanner Boots in Tobacco Suede by ALLEN EDMONDS
Belt by Calvin Klein

You’re best known to many for your groundbreaking six-season performance as Blake Moran on Madam Secretary. How did living with a character over that time shape your understanding of long-form storytelling?

You start to know your character so well that when you get a script for the next episode and something doesn’t seem right about something your character does, that you say “it doesn’t feel like my character would do this” directly to the people that created the character in the first place! It’s ridiculous, but it’s true—when you give a soul to this figment of someone else’s imagination, you develop the ability to define them. It’s a little insane but it does happen.

Your stage work—from Jersey Boys to Waitress, Chicago, and most recently Boop! The Betty Boop Musical—has earned critical praise. How does performing live continue to challenge or fuel you creatively?

There’s no greater feeling in the world than landing a perfectly written line—especially a comedy one—and hearing and feeling the reaction from 1000 people at once. It’s not only instant gratification, but it’s a RUSH. With every new stage project, I’m always looking for that moment. I’m telling you, it’s better than any drug.

Outfit by Buck Mason
Tanner Boots in Tobacco Suede by ALLEN EDMONDS
LAGOS Anthem Silver Bracelet by LAGOS
LAGOS Anthem Black Onyx Signet Ring by LAGOS

You’ve previously described theater as your “first love” What do live performances and being in front of an audience give you that television and film never quite can?

When you work in front of the camera, you never really know how your work is going to end up being seen in the final product. Who knows what edits will be made? What camera angle will they use? Will they cut that scene entirely? With theater, you’re totally in control of the moment. You may not have chosen the lines or the lighting, but within the parameters, you’re in control of how that moment reaches the audience each night. When it’s TV or Film, you have to surrender fully and know that the final product is not in your control.

Beyond acting, you are the founder and creative force behind 6W Entertainment, producing hundreds of projects across television and live events. How does working behind the scenes influence the way you show up in front of the camera?

I never realized how much talent is coddled. I became a bit embarrassed to be an actor when I saw how people behind-the-scenes treated talent like they were royalty, only to roll their eyes and talk poorly about them when they weren’t around. So now I think of myself as one of the crew members. We’re all crew. We’re all on the crew of telling this story using the gift that we were hired to share. Everything else is bullshit.

With such a multifaceted career, how do you decide which stories are worth your time and energy?

For me to touch a project, I have to believe that even if it doesn’t speak to me personally, it has to move people. No matter if it’s drama or comedy, it has to affect the audience in a way that leaves them different than they were before they watched it. I can’t stand it when I watch a movie or a play or whatever it is, and I’m left with the feeling of “and...?” Or “so what?” I don’t want to be told what to feel, but I need to care enough to feel something. I need steak, not sizzle.

Outfit by Buck Mason
LAGOS Anthem Matte Tan Caviar Bracelet by LAGOS
Sunglasses by Stylist Own

If you could go back and speak to yourself during your Jersey Boys era, what would you tell that version of yourself about what lies ahead?

I wouldn’t. It was so much fun to experience the last 20 years of my career first hand, and I wouldn’t want to give away one bit of the surprises. However, I’d probably tell myself to go to the gym more...and maybe stock up on N95 masks.

As you continue to evolve, what do you hope your work leaves people with?

I’ve been very lucky to be part of projects that people turn back to when they want to feel good, or feel better. I’m here for the long haul, and I’m lucky that my work is as well. So I think my work is best defined not by me, but by those who enjoy it. I like making people laugh. I know that.

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Erich Bergen
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Groomer: Angella Valentine using TOM FORD BEAUTY for SEE Management
Set Design: Oscar Sanchez
Painting: Ariana Villar
Set Design Assistant: Jadyn
PhotoBook Assistant to Creative Director: Mia Aponte
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Grayce Salaguinto
Retoucher: Luka Ukropina
BTS: Caera Learmonth
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Joaquina Dima, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

“I Need Steak, Not Sizzle”: Erich Bergen on Choosing Stories That Matter