Leesa Rowland—celebrated actress, philanthropist and author, is embarking on the next chapter of her career, one just as fascinating as her other career endeavors. Best known for her work in film, television and champion of charitable causes, Rowland is set to captivate audiences in 2025 with her debut as a documentary filmmaker. This year marks a pivotal moment as she leverages her passion for storytelling to shine a light on issues close to her heart, while continuing to lead impactful initiatives and expand her portfolio.
A natural storyteller, Rowland’s debut documentary represents a culmination of her artistic talent and dedication to creating meaningful dialogue. The yet-to-be-titled film, slated for release in 2025, will explore themes of compassion and the transformative power of human connection. Inspired by her own journey and the lives she’s encountered, the project is deeply personal. “I’ve always believed that stories have the power to heal and unite,” Rowland shared, adding, “With this documentary, I hope to not only inspire but also amplify stories that need to be heard. It’s an exciting challenge, and I’m thrilled to bring this vision to life.” The film, which is currently in production, will feature candid interviews and breathtaking visuals. Rowland is collaborating with a seasoned team of filmmakers and creatives to ensure the project resonates on both an emotional and intellectual level.
Rowland’s accolades are many, as she continues to receive more for her varied pursuits. Inspired by her roots, being the daughter of an artist and college professor, she was able to cultivate aspects of each profession, shaping who she is today. Rowland said, “Looking back, I think a lot of my interests were subtly shaped by my parents. It wasn’t always direct—like them pushing me into something—but more through the environment they created. The kind of books lying around, the shows we watched together, the conversations at the dinner table—it all kind of planted seeds. Even the things they were passionate about or encouraged me to explore ended up leaving a lasting mark. Some of it I’ve carried forward, and some I’ve rebelled against, but either way, they played a big role in shaping what I gravitated toward.”
Rowland grew up in Austin, Texas where she studied broadcast journalism and later became a classically trained actress at the world-renowned Stella Adler Studio in Los Angeles, finding both disciplines to be interconnected. Rowland believes them both to require empathy, awareness and being present in the moment. She never saw them as separate lanes, just different expressions of the same curiosity and drive to connect. “It wasn’t about choosing one over the other; it was about staying open to wherever that instinct to tell stories took me,” Rowland stated. Broadcasting gave her a way to engage with the world by asking questions and digging into real stories while acting, on the other hand, let her explore those same things but in a more creative and emotional space.
Rowland’s time at Stella Adler led to a turning point for her. Acting was not just about learning technique but about completely shifting how she saw acting and in turn, how she saw herself. The training went deep, not just a “stand here, say this” way of doing. It was about imagination, emotional truth and understanding human condition. Rowland stated, “They pushed you hard, but in the best way—like, they really challenged you to stretch beyond your comfort zone.” What she loved most was the emphasis on using your intellect and life experience to inform your work. It wasn’t about performing; it was about living truthfully in imaginary circumstances. She added, “I left there not just a better actor, but with a stronger sense of discipline and self-awareness. It was intense, humbling and incredibly inspiring.”
Rowland has been diversifying her acting skillset, adding comedy to her resume. A lifelong sitcom fan, she has been taking comedy classes with Richard Kline—the actor best known as Larry in the late 1970s classic “Three’s Company” in Los Angeles. She has also been studying improv and sketch comedy in New York at the famed Upright Citizen’s Brigade, whose alumni include Amy Poehler, Horatio Sands, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh and Ian McKay. As for why this newfound desire in the acting realm, Rowland said, “Honestly, it kind of snuck up on me. I didn’t set out thinking, ‘I want to do comedy now,’—it just started making more and more sense. I think there’s something really powerful about being able to make people laugh, especially when the world feels heavy. Comedy felt like a space where I could bring in a lot of myself—my timing, my observations, even my journalistic instinct to read a room or a moment—and use it in a totally different way.” She added, “There’s also a kind of truth in comedy that I’ve really grown to love. Good comedy isn’t just about jokes—it’s about nuance, rhythm and often saying something deeper in a way that disarms people. It’s terrifying and freeing at the same time, and I think that challenge is what pulled me in. It’s made me braver, honestly.”
Comedy seems very fitting as Rowland is knowledgeable of the many needs in our world, making philanthropy a priority in her life. Having it all starting from a simple feeling, Rowland didn’t want to just observe the world’s problems or talk about them, she wanted to be part of actually doing something. Over time, that urge just kept growing, and having a front-row seat to so many issues in New York, from inequality, injustice and stories of resilience—at some point, Rowland wanted to contribute in a more direct and tangible way. She said, “Philanthropy felt like a natural extension of that drive. It’s rooted in empathy, in wanting to shift something for the better, even if it’s just a little at a time. I’ve always believed that if you have a platform or any kind of privilege, it comes with a responsibility to use it well. And honestly, giving back has given me so much perspective—it keeps me grounded, and it reminds me of what really matters.”
Rowland has channeled so much of what’s been required of her in the fields she has worked with and been involved in. Her experiences have allowed her to truly dissect her life, know when to take a breather and be of use to individuals who can resonate with her. This is why her writing books is not a shock, but an addition to her already many accomplishments. “Writing a book was one of those things I always felt was quietly sitting in the background—something I had to do at some point. It wasn’t really about proving anything, it was more like needing a space to process and express in a deeper, more personal way than other mediums allow,” said Rowland, who found the process intense, humbling and surprisingly therapeutic. It forced her to sit with things she might’ve skimmed over otherwise, needing to slow down, dig in and be honest. She didn’t want to write something just to add to the noise, but what felt meaningful, intentional and hopefully offering something real to whoever picked the book up. Rowland said, “It also made me realize how much I value quiet creative time—the kind where you’re just with your thoughts, without needing to perform or deliver instantly. That’s a gift, and I’d love to keep making space for it moving forward.”
“Discovering the Factor Within You,” Rowland’s first book, was really about that inner journey—tapping into your personal power, intuition and purpose. It was a guide for unlocking the things we often overlook in ourselves, those internal “factors” that shape how we show up in the world. Rowland said, “It was deeply personal, and I think it resonated with people because it wasn’t about becoming someone else—it was about uncovering who you already are.” With her second book, “The Charisma Factor,” it took that uncovering a step further, but in a different direction. It was more external-facing. While the first book was about inner work, the second was about how that inner clarity translates into presence, confidence and connection. Rowland said, “Charisma isn’t just charm—it’s energy, authenticity and the ability to hold space. I wanted to break that down in a way that felt accessible and practical, because charisma is something you can cultivate, not just something you’re born with.” Writing the second book felt like a natural evolution. After the first, I had more to say—especially as I grew, tried new things, and stepped into different spaces. It’s been an ongoing process of learning, sharing, and hopefully helping people feel more seen and empowered.
Rowland is also involved with many organizations, where a lot of the focus is on access—whether it’s animal welfare, mental health, human trafficking or feeding the hungry, or underrepresented voices. Rowland is an animal rights activist, a vegan dedicated to healthy eating, who has been active with the national non-profit organization Last Chance for Animals since 1989 and is the president of the New York non-profit group Animal Ashram, which she founded in 2013. Rowland is drawn to initiatives that don’t just do charity but actually empower people, give them tools, platforms and dignity. Some of the work has been behind the scenes such as supporting grassroots groups, amplifying voices, helping raise awareness or funding. Looking ahead, she’s really interested in deepening those relationships, having stated, “less one-off involvement, more long-term, collaborative impact. There’s a lot brewing, and I want to keep showing up where it matters, with intention.”
With a world of knowledge, Rowland’s latest venture was inevitable—filmmaking. “Shooting my first documentary in Capilla del Monte, Argentina was one of the most surreal and expansive experiences I’ve ever had. The place has this energy—it’s known for its strong connection to UFO sightings, extraterrestrial encounters and what many believe to be intra-terrestrial activity, like civilizations existing within the inner earth beneath the mountains. I went in with curiosity, but what I found was something way beyond what I expected,” said Rowland. “It’s not just about sightings or lights in the sky—it’s about consciousness, about how people interpret and interact with these phenomena. The locals have a deep reverence for what they experience there, and I wanted to capture that in a way that’s openminded but grounded. We also explored the concept of light beings—these higher vibrational entities that people claim to have seen or communicated with. Whether you’re a believer or just exploring, it raises big questions about reality, energy, and what’s really out there—or within.”
This documentary is ultimately a continuation of Rowland’s love for storytelling and the unknown. She’s always been drawn to things that challenge the mainstream narrative, and this project has led her to dive into a world that’s mystical, controversial and deeply human. It felt like the right time for Rowland to expand into this kind of storytelling—to bring something mysterious, meaningful and maybe even paradigm-shifting to the surface.
For Rowland, what’s to follow in her constant evolving ways, includes deepening, not just expanding, having stated, “I’ve done a lot across different spaces—journalism, acting, writing, philanthropy, now filmmaking—but I feel like I’m in a place where I want to bring more of it together. I’m thinking more intentionally about alignment: What feels meaningful, what stretches me creatively and what contributes something real.” Rowland wants to continue exploring documentary storytelling, especially topics that sit at the edge of the known and the unknown—what spark curiosity and shift perspective. She’s also excited to build something that creates space for others to grow—potentially a platform or mentorship initiative that ties in storytelling, empowerment and transformation. She added, “And personally, I’m making more room for stillness too. Sometimes the next thing isn’t about doing more—it’s about listening more deeply, creating from a place of clarity and allowing whatever comes to unfold naturally. So yes, more projects, more purpose, but also more presence.”
