Photography: Malik Daniels
Groomer: Alexandra Giselle Flores
Hair: Rickie Dewayne
Brandon Finn’s rise to prominence in the Apple TV+ series Chief of War is more than just another break for a rising actor. It’s a return home, a spiritual full-circle moment, and the kind of story Hollywood itself would greenlight.
Born and raised in Wailuku, Maui, Brandon now steps into the role of Prince Kūpule, the last reigning king of Maui, in the epic historical drama led by Jason Momoa. For Brandon, the role isn’t just about delivering lines or performing stunts. It’s deeply personal. “In one word: surreal,” he reflects. “To have the opportunity to bring Prince Kūpule to life and film many of the scenes in Hawai’i where both he and I are from; it’s the greatest honor of my life.”
But Chief of War demanded more than an emotional connection. It asked Brandon to undergo a rigorous physical transformation, requiring him to gain nearly 20 pounds and immerse himself in stunt and fight choreography. “The body never lies,” he says. “That weight, the added physique, gave me the aesthetic, and more importantly, the confidence I needed to move through the world as Prince Kūpule did.”
Brandon’s story to get here is anything but conventional. Half Filipino and half Croatian, he grew up in Maui, far from any Hollywood pipeline. Without industry connections or the finances to move to LA right out of high school, he followed in the footsteps of his parents and became a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines. But his dream never left him. “Every time I saw that Hollywood sign from the air, it lit a fire in my soul,” he remembers. “It became this beautiful indication that my dreams were right there. Just keep going and mind the gap between dream and reality.”
That perseverance paid off. In 2018, Brandon transferred to Hawaiian Airlines’ LAX base and made the official leap to Los Angeles. He began training seriously, studying at The Groundlings, auditioning, and landing roles in Three Women (Showtime), Fantasy Island (Fox), Magnum P.I. (CBS), Hawaii Five-0 (CBS), and Inheritance (Netflix). But Chief of War is undoubtedly his most ambitious and personal project to date.
Working alongside industry titans like Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, and Cliff Curtis, Brandon describes the experience as an immersive masterclass. “Jason could teach a masterclass on action in film,” he says. “Temuera has this brilliant balance of playfulness and technical precision. And Cliff? You don’t mess with Cliff Curtis. He’s there to throw the kitchen sink at you. It felt like I was receiving a crash course opportunity from the likes of Juilliard.”
With a passion for underdog stories, Brandon is drawn to roles that defy expectation and offer redemption. “The role that empowers me to say I am who I say I am, and thus encourage this same sentiment to its audience, is a role I’ll fall in love with every time.”
When he’s not on set, Brandon is just as driven. A lifelong martial artist, his training informs not only his physical presence but also his mentality. “Martial arts has given me a fighter’s confidence. I’ll die doing this.” He’s also a student of film history, citing Braveheart, The Untouchables, and Singin’ in the Rain as influences. And he doesn’t forget to celebrate the wins. Each acting gig is toasted with a cigar, a small ritual of gratitude and recognition.
For those following a similarly uncertain path into the industry, Brandon offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Whatever degree of love you have for the performing arts, hold on to that for dear life. There will be times where that love is all you will have. And that love, I promise you, will be more than enough.”
As for what’s next? Brandon isn’t limiting himself. “I’d love to get a crack at Top Gun 3. There’s a military fly boy in me that’s just dying to jump in the cockpit and onto the big screen,” he says. “And yet, I do have rom-coms on my mind. To this day, Crazy Stupid Love is one of my favorites.”
From dreaming above the clouds to leading roles on screen, Brandon Finn is a testament to the power of persistence, purpose, and a little bit of poetic symmetry. In Chief of War, he’s not just portraying royalty. He’s stepping into his own.
Chief of War is now available on Apple TV+.
