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Vas Sanchez: Born Performer
Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: 2020/11 - November
Vas Sanchez’s desire for the spotlight, shaped by his childhood in Highlands, led him to a hit series on Netlfix and a good place in life.
No one, not even Vas Sanchez, is surprised that he became an actor. He admits to center-of-attention dancing and improv at a young age. “I was the kid at the party making a fool of himself,” quipped Sanchez.
Born in 1982 in Franklin, his family moved to Highlands, where he was raised. Sanchez did whatever he could, playing drums and harmonica for friend bands, acting in school plays, DJing, etc. – anything to be in the spotlight throughout the community.
All the while he worked in his uncle Nick’s restaurant, a 1970s-‘90s institution in Highlands, and learned to cook from his father.
“I never had a doubt I would cook,” said Sanchez, “and I got pretty good at it.”
He earned a performing arts degree from Brevard College and after graduation worked his way up to chef at fine restaurants in Atlanta. Yet, his ultimate goal was always to act professionally.
Sanchez secured an agent, Christy Clark, whom he says is “always in my corner.”
His first big acting job, ironically enough, was playing a chef for a Comcast commercial. As he garnered parts on MacGyver and Power, he left his career as a chef.
“Wow! I’m really in this,” he remembers thinking a decade ago.
Then he landed a recurring role on the Netflix series Cobra Kai, which is in its third season and has been green-lit for a fourth.
“We film right here in Atlanta,” said Sanchez, “where the industry is booming.”
When he is not acting on film, he does stand-up comedy and writes screenplays.
Sanchez also married Carlette Jennings, an actor and comedian. The couple visits his beloved Highlands often. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to be from.”
Megan Potts, administrative assistant/library assistant II, Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, was Sanchez’s high school youth minister and remembers him as “well liked,” “lots of fun,” and “artistically talented in numerous ways.”
Sanchez’s parents are deceased but his sister, Angela Swain, owns the family home and teaches at Highlands School.
“Highlands is a magical place, and there is nothing more nostalgic than driving those mountain roads,” shared Sanchez.
