Chad Lindberg is known for many roles in both film and TV. He is also known in the paranormal industry for his investigations. He even joined forces with fellow paranormal investigator John E.L. Tenny and Producer and Investigator Nick Groff, to film “Ghost Stalkers” back in 2014.
I have seen Chad in person at conventions answering questions. He is thoughtful and puts heart into all his responses. Because I am too chicken to ask in front of a large room, I decided that the next best thing was an email interview!
No doubt Chad wears many hats and we sent him some questions to get to know him a bit better. We were able to go in-depth and to find out more about each of the roles he takes on. He goes into detail about what spirituality and ghost hunting mean to him.
Melissa Rothman: Your appearance “Supernatural” was so long ago, yet you have such an avid fanbase stemming from it. The same goes for your character, Jesse from “The Fast and Furious” movies. Does it shock you that for such a short time on the show, your character was so loved?
Chad Lindberg: It’s such a blessing to be able to work in the movie and TV industry as it’s incredibly tough. Your hope is that your work reaches as many as it can and that someone responds to it. I feel very lucky to have not one but two characters that have reached phenomena status. You never know what’s going to “hit”. It’s shocking to me still that “Supernatural” AND “The Fast and the Furious” have gone into the stratosphere of ultimate fandoms. Both have brought me so much love and longevity in this business. It’s amazing to me that even after Ash’s “death”, I’ve been able to have such a long “life” from being on this show. I’ve gotten to travel the world because of “Supernatural”. I have to pinch myself sometimes that I’m able to go to such beautiful places in this world, meet fans, all because of 5 episodes!!!
Melissa: You have worked on many different types of movies and TV shows, do you have a favorite role or favorite project that you have worked on? Any favorite experiences on set from any project?
Chad: I love every project I’ve worked on for different reasons. Each role and experience teach me something about myself and help me grow as an artist. I’ve been able to slip into many characters. Obviously some of my most beloved are “Ash” and “Jesse” of course. For me, one of my most standout experiences over my career was working on the remake of the cult horror classic “I Spit on Your Grave”. It’s an extremely controversial film and for an Actor, it was quite a harrowing experience. The Film is not for everyone but I feel it’s some of my best work to date. I play “Matthew” who’s mentally challenged and who is goaded into doing abhorrent things by his friends. The bond I share with those actors I’ll always cherish because it was such crazy dark material. Departing from that I’ll say one of my most memorable moments on “Supernatural” was when I had to answer Ash’s door basically naked in front of Jared and Jensen. I was wearing a flesh-colored thong and nothing else. They come knocking on Ash’s lair to gain information. It took many takes because the boys and including myself, couldn’t stop laughing because of the half-naked man with a Mullet standing in front of them.
Melissa: The past few years you have really delved into the world of paranormal investigation, how did you get started with that? What was your first investigation?
Chad: The Paranormal for me has become my spirituality. I’ve always been fascinated with Life, Death, and everything in between. In my opinion, we take life for granted that being human is “normal” when I think it’s FAR from being normal. I’ve had experiences all my life since I was young. My first recollection was living in a haunted house when I was younger. Things had gotten so bad my whole family was sleeping in the living room. One night, all of the pots and pans came flying out of the cupboard. Our entire kitchen floor was covered in pans. We moved out shortly after that.
I never imagined I’d be heading into the Paranormal as a path or a career. After watching the first episode of “Ghost Adventures” years ago, I knew that this was for me. After studying so many of their episodes I reached out to the show’s host Zak Bagans on Twitter. He very graciously responded and had me on their show. It was an episode called “Return to Linda Vista”. Linda Vista hospital used to be an abandoned hospital in downtown LA. When they had me on their show everything changed for me. I got scratched that night and had my name called out several times through their equipment. It forced me to ask those deeper questions. From there I started getting invited to some of my most haunted locations and meeting some of the most respected in the Paranormal field. From there eventually, I would co-star in a series called “Ghost Stalkers” created by Nick Groff where I was put into insanely haunted locations overnight alongside John Tenney, whose been investigating for 30 plus years. Now, I travel around the US taking people out on Ghost Hunts, facilitating conversations between the living and the dead.
Melissa: You do ghost hunts at haunted locations with fans now, through “Face Your Fears” events, what has that been like? Have you ever had any skeptics come and leave as believers?
Chad: I created “Face your Fears” because I wanted to take people out to extremely haunted places and show people that there is so much more to the universe than our everyday life. In my opinion, spirits are everywhere. We are surrounded by so much weird in this world. When you have a “Paranormal Experience” it makes you ask those deeper questions. Well if THIS exists…what else is there?? There is nothing that will make you feel more alive than when you’re communicating with the dead. I love watching people have an experience for the first time. It’s absolute magic. I always love having skeptics come to my events. Skepticism is a healthy human condition. I invite people to be somewhere down the middle, however. Don’t lean too far to one side. 9 times out of 10 skeptics will leave one of my ghost hunts becoming more of a believer. I’m incredibly passionate about what I do, and it’s my hope that rubs off on people and helps opens their minds.
Melissa: Do you have any upcoming projects of any variety? Maybe plans to do another series like “Ghost Stalkers?” Or any plans for any acting roles?
Chad: “Ghost Stalkers” was one of the most profound experiences of my life. I learned so much about myself, fear and what I’m capable of. My hope is to continue doing projects involving the paranormal. You certainly have not seen the last of me screaming in haunted basements and tunnels. I just finished shooting a movie called “Four Good Days” starring Glenn Close and Mila Kunis. It was such an honor to work with such great and respected talent. My goal is to keep pushing myself as an Actor and as a Paranormal Investigator. Again, I feel incredibly honored to be able to do both.
Melissa: We here at NaN take pride in our nerdiness. What is your current nerd guilty pleasure?
Chad: I’m a HUGE nerd!!!! I love everything Joker right now. I was blown away by the latest film and Joaquin’s performance. I’m really a nerd in every fashion. I love Batman. I love Star Wars. Oh and PENNYWISE!!!! I love these characters so much. Honestly, I love anything that brings that nostalgic feeling of growing up. When I go to Comic Con type conventions as a guest, I’m in heaven. If you can’t find me at my table signing autographs for fans, I’m literally out on the floor shopping at all of the amazing vendors buying geek stuff. My house is full of amazing artwork and figurines. It’s also amazing to think that somewhere, someone is geeking out about my characters and it gives them that same feeling, and that is a beautiful thing.
Written by Melissa Rothman
