In a television landscape that often feels oversaturated and fast-paced, it’s rare to find two actors who bring such clarity, depth, and purpose to their work as Richard Schiff and Jazmyn Simon. Though they come from different backgrounds and entered Hollywood at different times, both Schiff and Simon have carved out careers rooted in intention and substance. Whether through Emmy-winning political drama or groundbreaking mental health narratives, they’ve used their platforms to challenge norms and uplift underrepresented stories. And now, as they continue to expand their influence beyond the screen, their paths are more aligned than ever.
Richard Schiff, best known for his iconic portrayal of the brooding, brilliant Toby Ziegler in The West Wing, and more recently as the compassionate yet conflicted Dr. Aaron Glassman in The Good Doctor, has spent over three decades commanding the screen with quiet force. His characters don’t shout to be heard—they carry the weight of the world in their silences, their intellect, their unwavering moral compasses. Schiff’s career has been defined not by box office blockbusters, but by integrity, gravitas, and the kind of performances that linger long after the episode ends.
Meanwhile, Jazmyn Simon represents a newer wave of Hollywood talent—one that balances charisma and advocacy in equal measure. Known for her roles in Ballers, Psych: The Movie, and Raising Dion, Simon has built a reputation for portraying strong, smart, multidimensional women. She’s been vocal about the need for authentic Black female representation in television, and she’s made it her mission to be more than just a performer. She’s also a children’s book author, a producer, and a mental health advocate, bringing empathy and empowerment into every space she occupies.
Though Schiff and Simon haven’t shared screen time in a major project (yet), their names have recently appeared together in discussions around television panels, festivals, and conversations about the changing nature of Hollywood. Most notably, both were featured speakers at the North Fork TV Festival—a rising platform dedicated to celebrating independent television and amplifying new voices. Their participation sparked conversations not only about their own work, but also about how artists with influence can uplift stories that might otherwise go untold.
At the festival, Schiff spoke candidly about his journey from stage actor to Emmy winner, and the challenges of remaining true to one’s values in an industry that often prioritizes speed and spectacle over substance. He reflected on his experience with The Good Doctor and how his role as Dr. Glassman allowed him to explore aging, grief, mentorship, and vulnerability in ways rarely seen in primetime TV. “What drew me to Glassman,” he shared, “wasn’t just that he was a doctor. It was that he was a man wrestling with his own humanity—his limitations, his losses, and his legacy.”
Jazmyn Simon, on the other hand, used her time on stage to spotlight the stories still missing from mainstream media. She spoke about her upbringing, her path to acting, and the emotional toll of fighting for inclusion in a system that still has far to go. But rather than dwell in frustration, Simon spoke with optimism and action. She highlighted her work producing projects that center women of color and her recent children’s book Most Perfect You, which helps kids build self-esteem and emotional awareness from an early age.
