Kim Quinn on Teaming Up with Peter Dinklage in Upcoming Dramedy ‘American Dreamer’

Multifaceted film producer and talent Kimberly “Kim” Quinn co stars in upcoming dramedy American Dreamer starring Peter Dinklage. Kim plays Maggie, a complicated and concerned daughter who’s life is turned upside down when Dinklage moves into her home.

We have seen Kim Quinn in the Oscar nominated film Hidden Figures, or as Nurse Ana in St. Vincent, maybe even guest starring in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, and in my youth I recognize Quinn from Pretty Little Liars spin-off Twisted. While there is a long running list of television and movies Kim Quinn has been in she also is an acclaimed writer, producer, and director. 

To explore Kim’s talent and learn more about American Dreamer, we asked the starlet a few questions…

What drew you to the film industry?

I have been acting since the 90’s. When I got married, (28 years in October) my husband wanted to direct a movie and I wanted to act.  So we wrote a film together, he directed it and I starred in it. We were in our early 20’s, went to Missouri, raised all the money ourselves, cast it, produced it and shot it and actually sold it! We did it all. It’s really that simple and I’ve been doing it ever since. I’m a creative story teller whether it be acting, writing, producing or directing. When you have a desire to do something, you find a way and with God’s help, you do it!

How do you manage being a writer, producer, director, and actress?

Having all of these skills has really been a blessing. They have kept me busy and engaged. I would say, learning them all is a life long lesson but when I work in a certain area, it always helps in another. They all work together really. When I started seeing it this way, it felt less daunting. I don’t think of them separately anymore, I  think of them as one. It took me a while to get there, understanding how they all service each other and when thought of this way, it’s just like any job. A balancing act. 

Can you tell us about the newly released dramedy American Dreamer?

American Dreamer is about a man (Phil Loder) who is a disgruntled, dissatisfied, underpaid professor that has a dream to own a house… a place to call home. He is a novelist and a dreamer. In his search, he stumbles across an opportunity to be a live in to an elderly woman (Shirley McClaine)  for a reasonable price and part of the deal is that he will get the house when she dies. It’s an unlikely love story really. It is filled with dark humor and a great supporting cast. It is a witty, surprising, offbeat gem.

What was it like playing Maggie, the concerned yet complicated daughter of Astrid?

 Maggie was definitely concerned and complicated. You never knew what you were going to get from her and she was obviously very suspicious of Phil, children are very protective of their mother. Maggie brought an unpredictable element to the screen that  kept Phil on his toes in some regard. Although, suspicious of Phil, she somehow warmed to him, taken by his poetic nature. Maggie had lots of walls up around her heart that seemed to come and go throughout the film. I think she was ultimately scared to be vulnerable and seen. And when Phil “sees” her, she succumbs.  I loved playing Maggie. She was unfiltered, emotional and ironically sensitive.

Amongst the films you have been in is Oscar nominated, Hidden Figures. What was your favorite part of being in that production?

Helping to birth a true story and bring it to the screen was undeniably my favorite part about being part of the production, Hidden Figures. It is a part of our history that no one knew of. It makes me wonder what else we don’t know. When working and developing films with my husband, Ted Melfi, we always discuss how we want the audience to feel when they leave the theater. In this film, we wanted the Black community to understand how valuable they are in a society that always seems to undervalue them. If we could do that? We did our job. And I think we succeeded.  The film has gone on to be part of many high school curriculums during Black History month helping to bring awareness to every new generation that if we put our differences aside we can achieve great things. “We get there together or we don’t get  there at all.”  And with that, Hopefully making an impact to end all racism and understand that we are all valuable.

What message do you have for women wanting to dive into the film industry?

Just do it.  It’s very cliche but it’s true. There is no better school than experience. You won’t know what you like and what you dislike unless you experience it. Always be a student. The learning never ends. Talent, passion and desire stand alone, it is not connected to a gender or age. It’s never too late to get involved in a project and to learn and grow. Be brave. You can do anything you set your mind to. And surround yourself with like minded people. You can’t do it alone. Build or become part of a community.

Many of your films are produced alongside your husband, writer Ted Melfi. Can you describe what it’s like producing films together?

Ted is one of the best. We love working together because we both love storytelling. Films take months on end and it’s a privilege to not be separated to long, that can take a toll on a  relationship, so working together is a perk. We love talking story, cast, locations, music, editing… everything.  We are a great fit and we are also able to balance our home life much better because of it. 

“American Dreamer” is out now available to rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube. To follow Kim’s upcoming projects you can follow her instagram @therealkimquinn.