VEGAN PERSONALITY
Daniel Noah – actor and activist
Recent interview with the versatile actor
A disarming smile, dazzling charisma and a massive helping of acting talent. That’s the impression you get of actor Daniel Noah, the prominent TV and now cinema actor. He rose to prominence as Sascha Beck in German drama Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten, in his roles in Tatort and other TV formats. At the moment (August 2024), Daniel is shooting for Inga Lindström in Sweden – something for us to look forward to! Talking to him is extremely worthwhile, because he’s someone who knows how to give us food for thought, his food of choice being exclusively plant-based, incidentally!
VELIVERY: TV audiences know and love you for numerous TV productions where you slip into different character roles time and time again. As something of a Cologne export – at least that’s where you attended film school – although originally hailing from Bielefeld, how would you best describe your own character?
DANIEL: I think you’d be best to ask my friends that. 😀 Naturally I try to be the best version of myself, but that doesn’t always happen. I have my own quirks and try to really speak to people and make them think through my job and my activism.
VELIVERY: In Tatort and other crime series you are often tasked with portraying harder sides and your roles as Sascha Beck in Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten or in Küstenrevier ask a broad range of skills and emotions of you as an actor. How do you continually succeed in getting into character for new roles?
DANIEL: In essence we are all actors. Even if you think of how you talk to a complete stranger, your mother, you best friend or your boss: we slip into lots of different mini roles. On the other hand, acting is also a craft: you have to carve out the various different aspects of the role and align those with your own personal characteristics. Once I’ve done this, I can decide whether to amplify an aspect or else peel away another layer, like an onion, until I have fully inhabited the character. The bottom line is it requires an awful lot of preparation, and then, once on the set or on the stage, letting go of all the preparation in order to simply be free and in the moment.
Animal welfare, the most sustainable motivation
VELIVERY: Certainly not a role, but a genuine conviction, let’s talk about your commitment to the vegan lifestyle. When did you go vegan and what prompted it?
DANIEL: In 2011 I started to eat a vegetarian diet after watching a documentary about factory farming. I decided to do this because I do not think any animal should suffer for my consumption. Only in 2018 did I come to the realisation that my vegetarian way of life was not in line with my values and animals were still having to die for my lifestyle. After someone pressed a pamphlet entitled: “Vegan – the healthiest diet” into my hand during a demonstration against animal transportation and then watching what is probably the most famous speech of animal rights activist Gary Yourofsky on Youtube, I turned vegan overnight and started to campaign for animal rights.
VELIVERY: How do much of a role do you think animal welfare plays in the argument for the vegan way of life?
DANIEL: I think animal welfare is the most important and most sustainable motivation for adopting a vegan lifestyle. I know some people who have, at some point or another, followed a vegan diet for sporting or health reasons and have since returned to consuming animal products. There are generally only three reasons people do not follow a vegan lifestyle: the taste, convenience or health concerns. But when you ask yourself the Why and clearly define that Why, you’ve created your basis. What’s both interesting and sad is the fact that most people are in principle opposed to violence against animals: for instance, when we talk about the mistreatment of dogs, we would never be inconsequential about it or say, well, he only hits his dog once a week, but when it comes to a vegan lifestyle, apparently you can make an exception… meat or milk once a week is okay, so paying for violence against innocent living beings once a week is okay…
Daniel Noah’s tips for getting started with a plant-based diet
VELIVERY: Can you remember the early days of switching to a vegan diet? What tips would you give anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based elements in their diet today?
DANIEL: Of course, when I started, there weren’t as many alternative products out there as there are today. I think it’s fantastic how the variety of vegan products on offer has transformed. I would say, just start, be curious, and try things out. It will take a little time for you to discover the basics and find your favourite products. But some products that I ate beforehand were vegan anyway, e.g. lentils, peas, vegetables, etc. Just take your favourite dish and veganise it. For instance, instead of mince, you can opt for tofu or any of the ready-made mince products offered by various brands – so simple, yet so tasty and healthy.
VELIVERY: What’s on the menu for Daniel Noah on a typical day? Are you big on breakfasts? And do you like cooking?
DANIEL: So, all in all, I am very conscious of eating a balanced and, above all, a high-protein diet. I have breakfast really late if – at all – and when I do, I have porridge https://www.velivery.com/en/vegan-food/vegan-pantry/breakfast/porridge-with-fruit-berries, that is pretty much a ritual for me. On jam-packed days I just have a protein shake and a banana. 😉
Actually I’m a very lazy cook :D, I like straightforward, healthy dishes. So I like to cook for two to three days. But I like going out for food too. Some days I do spend more time cooking and trying out new dishes. I think cooking can also have a creative, artistic element.
VELIVERY: And how do you make sure you’re well-stocked with vegan provisions while you’re on set? Have you tried vegan meat alternatives? Or plant-based snacks?
DANIEL: Some sets have been better than others, I have to say. There have been some productions that have really surprised me, offering exclusively vegan or vegetarian food for all, which is something I really welcomed. But I’ve also experienced other productions where it was a real struggle to get anything vegan, which I thought was a real shame. But usually these topics are discussed beforehand, so I don’t have to worry about it on set. I have indeed tried a few meat alternatives. I really like Greenforce products, but I like cooking with tofu or soya chunks/strips the best. J
Daniel Noah likes it exotic
VELIVERY: Can you give us a few examples of your plant-based favourites? And what are some of your favourite dishes?
DANIEL: I really like Vietnamese and Thai food with lots of vegetables and tofu, or vegan duck. My friends would tell you that my Indian lentil curry and my Bolognese are probably my favourites. 😀
VELIVERY: The vegan diet seems to suit you! And to give you enough energy! The word is that, in addition to acting, you’re also a skilled DJ, do martial arts and enjoy dancing. Sounds like you’re a real jack-of-all-trades! 😉 Just how do you manage to juggle all that?
DANIEL: Unfortunately I don’t. I’ve hardly had any time to DJ or make music over the past few years, but at the moment I’m working on a few new tracks and looking forward to being able to play again soon. For me, martial arts serve as a balance for this, I always try to include it in my routine wherever I am.
Don’t miss out: Daniel’s online course is coming soon
VELIVERY: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about living sustainably?
DANIEL: All I can do is recommend that everyone engage on the topic of veganism. Have a look at documentaries like Earthlings, What the health, Cowspiracy… (read more about vegan documentaries here). At the moment I’m working on an online course where I help people who are considering becoming vegan or who are already vegan, but still face one or more obstacles or simply do not have the confidence to go public with the lifestyle due to pressures socially, from their families or their friends. The course is called “Confidently vegan,” and it will be available from September.
VELIVERY: That sounds exciting and certainly something that many of our readers will be interested in. Thank you for the suggestions and fascinating insight into your life and your work. We wish you planty of happiness and all the best in all your future projects!
DANIEL: Thanks!
Daniel Noah loves Vietnamese and Thai cuisine and Indian lentil curry.
If this is also to your taste, we have 3 recipes for you to try out.
