Introducing your new favorite vegan celeb to follow!
Let’s talk about Oliver Stark, the starring actor in Fox’s 9-1-1 drama series. He’s vegan, he’s British, and he’s got some serious acting chops! After extensive acting training and experience in the UK, Stark broke into Hollywood, scoring roles in a variety of productions such as Into the Badlands, Luther, Dracula, Mindgamers, Underworld: Blood Wars, and more. Now, you may have noticed that many of Stark’s roles are physically demanding. Which is why his plant-based diet has greatly supported his training process! Keep reading to learn more about Stark’s vegan lifestyle on and off the screen.
VegOut (VO): We’d love to learn more about your vegan beginnings! What first inspired you to adopt a plant-based diet, and was it something you planned to try for a short time, or was it a long-term commitment from the get-go?
Oliver Stark (OS): I had moved to the US and was living temporarily with my partner. She was vegetarian at the time, so I decided to eat that way to respect her lifestyle while I was there. I found that it wasn’t as limiting as I’d expected—in fact, I didn’t really feel limited by it at all. She showed me some documentaries [on] the ethical and environmental impact of meat consumption, and I was sold! I was vegetarian for the first few months and then graduated to full vegan status.
VO: Hailing from the UK, you have to know how epic the vegan scene is in London! Do you have any favorite vegan restaurants or products from across the pond?
OS: Honestly, I don’t! I haven’t spent too much time back in the UK since my move to the US so haven’t had much of a chance to enjoy all the UK offerings. You’ll have to let me know where to go!
VO: You’ve acted in a lot of physically demanding roles! How has your plant-based diet affected your performance?
OS: I think the biggest plus is that it hasn’t hindered my physical performance. That’s always the big question—am I going to waste away to nothing? Lose all my hard-earned “gains?” It simply wasn’t, and isn’t the case. I also think there is an added recovery benefit from all the micronutrients that come packaged alongside the macronutrients!
VO: What are some vegan meals and snacks you like to eat on set? Dare we ask … where do you get your protein?
OS: I’m a big fruit-eater. For as long as I can remember, fruits have been my favorite food. Pineapple, bananas, mango—the list goes on. [They’re] easy, convenient, and healthy! Oh, and delicious! Protein sources tend to be tofu, tempeh, seitan, and various protein powders (usually based around a 70/30 split of pea and rice protein powder, which a lot of ready-made powders adopt).
VO: Have you ever run into any issues on set as a vegan—like being asked to eat dairy or meat or not having good options at catering or crafty? If so, how do you navigate those challenges?
OS: I haven’t. The 9-1-1 props team who handles food is extremely gracious in the way they cater to me. They always have plenty of vegan options for any eating scene on set, and I feel very well taken care of.
VO: Congrats on the return of FOX’s 9-1-1 drama series! What can we expect to see from your character this season?
OS: I don’t know! We are currently in the midst of a writers strike, so work has yet to begin on season 7. Hopefully some juicy drama as always!
