Johannes Gaan

Since my near-death experience at age 19, my life has been defined by the search for deeper meaning.

Acting became my most direct way of coming to terms with being human—exploring the emotions within me and bringing them to life. During my training in Vienna, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly. I quickly found an agent and landed my first roles on TV and stage, working alongside my idols. Some called me a "rising star." I was living what I believed was my dream.

But beneath the surface, something wasn't right. The deeper I ventured into the industry, the more disillusioned I became. I saw behind the curtain and started questioning everything. Why am I doing this? What does this all mean? What is this for? The passion that had burned so brightly began to flicker—and this bewildered me.

By 30, I realized I couldn't continue. Without a plan, I walked away from the city, the industry, and the identity I'd built. I didn't know what lay ahead, only that I needed something different. I needed to discover myself.

Since then, I've grown immensely. I've also gazed deeply into the darkness. I lost my best friends to cancer. I battled severe depression. I immersed myself in healing—deep, raw, uncomfortable healing. My life transformed so profoundly that I trained as a somatic trauma therapist and began guiding others to uncover their authentic selves beneath the roles they play.

That work cracked me open and brought me back to myself.

Now I'm returning as a different person. I've lived, faced my shadows, and emerged freer, more alive, yet more humble. Acting is no longer about being seen—it's about playing, exploring, expressing, and telling stories that matter.

I'm very curious to discover how these past years have shaped me as an artist - and I would love a "comeback".