Have you ever witnessed a performer transcend their established persona, shattering expectations and revealing hidden depths? Robert Lasardo, the veteran character actor often typecast as the menacing villain, accomplishes precisely that, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.

Lasardo, a name synonymous with gritty, often antagonistic roles, takes a surprising turn in "American Trash," a film slated for release on September 10, 2024, featuring Lorelei Linklater. This drama, clocking in at 1 hour and 59 minutes, promises a raw and unsettling exploration of societal decay. While audiences might anticipate the familiar Lasardo bravado, "American Trash" reveals a multifaceted performer willing to embrace vulnerability and nuance. Early buzz suggests Lasardo's performance is a revelation, a stark departure from his typical fare, showcasing a range previously untapped. The film itself is described as a tight, deep, and frequently disturbing narrative, one that purportedly holds the viewer captive from beginning to end. Alongside Lasardo, the cast includes Lorelei Linklater, Costas Mandylor, the late Tom Sizemore, Gigi Gustin, Mark Thompson, Lance Caver, Elissa Dowling, and Rich R. "American Trash" not only exhibits Lasardos acting, but his directing ability too.

Category	Information
Full Name	Robert Lasardo
Birth Date	September 20, 1963
Age (as of 2024)	61
Birth Place	Brooklyn, New York, USA
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actor, Director, Writer, Producer
Net Worth (2024)	$5 Million (USD)
Source of Wealth	Acting, Endorsements, Real Estate Investments
Years Active	1988 Present
Education	High School of Performing Arts (New York City), Stella Adler Studio of Acting
Military Service	U.S. Navy (4 years, including 2 years handling navy attack dogs in the Aleutian Islands)
Known For	Latino roles, extensive tattoos
Notable Films	"American Trash," "Arena Wars," "Camp Pleasant Lake," "Death Race," "Evil Never Dies"
Directorial Debut	"American Trash" (2024)
Website	Official Website

The acquisition of "American Trash" by Deep C Digital, announced on August 19, 2024, further underscores the anticipation surrounding this project. Naman Ramachandran's piece highlights the film as Lasardo's directorial debut, a venture that also features the final performance of the late Tom Sizemore. This adds another layer of intrigue to the already compelling narrative. Furthermore, it has been noted that the film has a run time of 1 hour and 58 minutes and has been rated R.

Lasardo's trajectory, from a dependable supporting actor to a director to watch, is a testament to his artistic evolution. His performance in "American Trash" is said to carry an "edge," suggesting a raw intensity that elevates the film beyond typical genre tropes. The consensus seems to be that Lasardo has successfully transitioned from in front of the camera to behind it, demonstrating a keen understanding of storytelling and character development. Milles Carpis, played by Robert Lasardo, finds support from new age hippie friends to guide him away from violence when the woman he loves is murdered, a concept that suggests the film may contain violence.

Prior to this venture into directing, Lasardo carved a niche for himself portraying memorable, often villainous characters. Some viewers, reflecting on his earlier work, recall expecting his character Perez in some project, possibly "Camp Pleasant Lake" or "Death Race", to reappear, noting that his demise wasn't explicitly depicted on screen. The sentiment was that Perez's ambiguous disappearance into a "hole in the wall" felt like an "unsatisfying end" for such a recognizable face. This expectation highlights Lasardo's impact, even in smaller roles. However, with "American Trash," Lasardo actively defies these expectations, showcasing a different side of his artistic persona.

The film's setting, amidst a social crisis in a decaying Los Angeles plagued by environmental ruin, chaos, and a drug epidemic, paints a bleak backdrop for the unfolding drama. This societal breakdown fosters a state of apathy and hate, creating a pressure cooker environment where tensions simmer and violence threatens to erupt. Within this chaotic landscape, Milles Carpis, portrayed by Lasardo, grapples with the murder of his loved one, forcing him to confront his greatest enemy. This enemy could be a person, but it also could be something like his emotions. Given this role, audiences may be thrown off by the fact that Robert Lasardo has often played the part of the villain.

While Lasardo is at the helm, the supporting cast also garners praise. Lorelei Linklater, despite her background in "intentionally goofy microbudget horror films," delivers a strong performance. Similarly, Rendon, despite limited screen time and only a few genre film credits, leaves a lasting impression. The ensemble cast, including Tom Sizemore, Mara Marini, and Erik Fellows, contributes to the overall effectiveness of the film. It's evident that Lasardo has assembled a talented team to bring his vision to life.

Lasardo's journey to becoming a director is rooted in his early training at the High School of Performing Arts in New York City and later at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. He also served four years in the U.S. Navy, including two years handling navy attack dogs in the Aleutian Islands. This diverse background undoubtedly informs his approach to storytelling and character development. In addition to "American Trash," Lasardo's recent filmography includes appearances in projects such as "Arena Wars" (released in US theaters June 25, 2024, starring Michael Madsen, Eric Roberts, and John Wells) and other films where he is cast as a villain.

In "Arena Wars," set in 2045, convicted criminals are given the opportunity to compete in a televised sporting event. Lasardo also plays the role of biblical demon Arooka in some other film. Such a background makes his ability to act as the lead in "American Trash" even more incredible. Lasardo's decision to write, produce, star in, and direct "American Trash" suggests a desire for complete creative control, allowing him to fully realize his artistic vision. This hands-on approach likely contributes to the film's authenticity, blurring the lines between performance and genuine emotional exploration.

Tony Asankomah of Ghmoviefreak considers "American Trash" an impressive first outing for Robert Lasardo as a director. Departing from roles in films like "Evil Never Dies" (1999), "Bloodthirst" (2023), and "Arena Wars" (2024), Lasardo ventured into a different genre with this drama. The film sees Milles Carpis, played by Lasardo, leaning on the support of new age hippie friends as they guide him away from violence after the murder of the woman he loves. This forces Milles to confront his greatest enemy, showcasing a unique role for Lasardo.

His net worth is estimated at $5 million as of 2024. This wealth is a result of his acting roles, endorsements, and real estate investments. Robert Lasardo was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is known for his Latino roles and extensive tattoos on his chest, neck, and arms. His birthdate is September 20, 1963 and so his age as of 2024 is 61.

The trailer for "American Trash" hints at the intense drama to come. The film is a must-watch, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience. Robert Lasardo has proven himself to be a triple threat, an artist to watch closely. His transformation from an often-underrated actor into a director is impressive. By simultaneously writing, directing, and acting, Lasardo achieves a level of authenticity rarely seen. It transcends mere performance, becoming a profound exploration of raw emotion. One should not miss his work in "American Trash."