Erich Fleshman, a highly skilled and trained actor in the esteemed Meisner technique, hailed from the charming city of Livermore, California, where his innate passion for the performing arts and exceptional aptitude for basketball first began to manifest during his formative years.
As he navigated the path of higher education, Erich pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, a decision that initially seemed like a conventional choice. However, his inner sense of adventure and wanderlust soon took hold, prompting him to participate in a study abroad program in the captivating country of Vietnam.
This marked the beginning of a prolonged and extensive journey of exploration throughout Southeast Asia, during which Erich immersed himself in the rich linguistic, cultural, and cinematic heritages of the region.
Erich's inaugural foray into the world of acting was a stint in the HBO film "A Bright Shining Lie", where he had the privilege of sharing the screen with the renowned Bill Paxton, amidst the lush and verdant jungles of Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
This initial foray into the world of acting was soon followed by an unexpected turn of events, as he was discovered by a prominent TV director while engaged in a game of basketball on the courts of Chulalongkorn University, where he was concurrently serving as a teacher. This serendipitous encounter led to a supporting role in a Thai television production, thereby marking the commencement of his extensive and multifaceted career within the local and international entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera.
Erich's professional trajectory took a remarkable turn within a few short years, as he found himself working on a diverse array of projects, including American, Asian, and European feature films, television dramas, and international television commercials.
It was, however, his breakout role in the highly acclaimed film "Heaven's Seven" (2002) that truly catapulted him to stardom. Erich's portrayal of Mike, a charismatic GI who made a living by bootlegging American oil to the Thais, left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
This pivotal role not only propelled him into the international spotlight but also paved the way for a string of successful projects in the Thai television industry. Erich went on to appear in a multitude of Thai TV series, including the critically acclaimed "The Red Roof" (2004),the action-packed "Champion Boxer" (2003),the thought-provoking "Strange Tree in the Forest" (2002),and the gripping "Power" (1999),cementing his status as a household name in Thailand.
As a result, Erich's name became synonymous with excellence in the entertainment industry, and he continued to enjoy a thriving career, solidifying his position as a genuine celebrity in Thailand.
Erich, a talented actor, had the opportunity to collaborate with the acclaimed Thai filmmaker Pen-ek Ratanaruang on the short film "Twelve Twenty" in 2006.
Erich's professional journey took a significant turn in the year 2009, as he embarked on a new path by producing and directing not one, but two documentaries. This marked the beginning of his extensive work as an acting and dialect coach, a role that would see him work on numerous projects in the years to come.
Over the next few years, Erich's expertise was sought after by filmmakers, and he worked behind the scenes on no less than five big-budget international films. One of these notable projects was the 2010 film "Ip Man 2", where he lent his voice to a character played by the renowned Wong Shun-Leung, providing the English voiceover that brought the character to life.
In addition to his work on "Ip Man 2", Erich also had the privilege of working as a drama and dialect coach for the talented Hong Kong superstar, Shawn Yue, on the 2010 film "My Best Bodyguard". This experience further solidified his reputation as a skilled and dedicated coach, able to bring out the best performances from his clients.
Erich's multifaceted skills as a drama and dialect coach were put to the test in 2011 as he expertly juggled a diverse array of accents and characters for an impressive roster of international stars.
One of his notable projects that year was his work on the 2011 film "The Burma Conspiracy", where he brought his expertise to the table to coach a talented group of actors, including Tomer Sisley, Ulrich Tukur, and Nirut Sirichanya.
Erich's impressive range as a drama and dialect coach was further showcased in his work on the 2011 film "Elephant White", which boasted an impressive cast of award-winning talent, including Prachya Pinkaew, Djimon Hounsou, and Kevin Bacon.
Erich, a seasoned professional with a storied career spanning numerous years, made the momentous decision to relocate back to his native California in 2012, a move that would mark the beginning of a new chapter in his life. Over the course of the next decade, Erich would go on to work on a diverse array of projects, including films, television shows, and national television commercials.
Throughout this period, Erich had the privilege of collaborating with the esteemed independent filmmaker Rob Nilsson, with whom he would form a fruitful and long-standing creative partnership. Nilsson, a celebrated figure in the world of independent cinema, would provide Erich with the opportunity to hone his craft and work on a wide range of innovative and thought-provoking projects.
As the years passed, Erich's career continued to flourish, with him becoming an integral part of the vibrant creative communities in both Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. It was during this time that he would establish himself as a talented and versatile professional, with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the artistic process.
Erich's entrepreneurial endeavors in the entertainment industry took a significant leap forward in the year 2024, as he embarked on a novel venture, establishing Illuminate Acting Academy BKK. This ambitious undertaking was motivated by his distinctive blend of experiences in both in-front-of and behind-the-camera roles, which he aimed to leverage to provide a platform for Southeast Asian talent to flourish. Since then, he has remained actively involved in the production process, working on various sets while concurrently offering private coaching sessions to assist on-set talent in honing their skills.
