It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Ojai Post Office Bell Tower gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Ojai, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one.”
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can attest that he strives to provide the best quality care for his clients and a positive work environment for his employees. Great agency! Highly recommend!”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset to our hospital. Families don't know where to start and David gets the ball rolling and smooths the way. What a blessing to these families.”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers are wonderful and helpful and willing to go the extra mile. I am so happy to have their team a part of our lives! Thank you!”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n boss , overall great company for work for , great communication from supervisors ,n always a pleasure to work with wonderful clients”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been phenomenal. The professionalism.and respect they show to us caregivers makes me feel appreciated as well as giving me opportunity to learn and grow in my services I provide to my clients with the workshops they provide every month.”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations that provide senior care services but the Always Best Care Thousand Oaks location has been a wonderful place to work. The working relationship between staff, client and ownership/management is that it's important for us all to be happy. I've been placed with so many wonderful people that I can say are not only my clients but also my friends. They really try to provide the right client with the right caregiver and with me it has been a wonderful experience and a great place to work.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and treated him like family. It was reassuring to us to know he was looked after by a loving and caring person. She was always available to us and she was able to adjust her schedule to his needs. Nisa allowed my father to stay in his home longer and provided him new freedom he had not had previously.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s doing, was great with my mom. We all felt very comfortable when she was caring for mom.”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care and was extremely pleased with the decision I made. Always Best Care checked every box on my list and was the absolute best choice for my post-surgery needs. Start to finish, the entire organization was professional, responsive, and provided the services I was in need of. Caregivers were exceptional in responding to my needs in addition to providing warm companionship that aided in a worry free recovery. Always Best Care delivered as promised and I highly recommend them for Home Health Care needs. MMD”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always Best Care Senior Services. The services provided by Always Best are both personal and professional. All of my calls were always answered by Tom ( the owner). Never was I left to wonder if I was going to get assistance for my mother and her significant other. From the top down I found everyone to be patient, kind, attentive, accessible, problem solvers, with an “I can get it done” attitude. The services provided by Always Best, required end of life care. The care givers worked seamlessly with Hospice. Every step of the way I could see both my mother and the patient were lovingly cared for. I look forward to using this agency as needed for my mother. Thank you, Tom and all of your care angels!”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have been with them for two weeks now. They were great, and we have had a good experience so far. The caregiver is great. She has been like a lifeline for us; she has been nice. The scheduling has been fine, and everything has been working great.”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always Best Care of Thousand Oaks.”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She is comforting, empathetic, and very knowledgeable. Thanks again Erin! Natalie Schauwecker, RN”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect they give us caregivers and employees. We are a team as they say welcome to the team and it truly is a team more like a family here. They take our schedules and work with us and don't pay us low as all other places. You get what you pay for. I've worked for Disneyland Resorts and this is much like the atmosphere there very friendly and non judgemental and truly caring understanding team. Tom the owner is one of us he doesn't put himself above us neither does Erin. They are both friendly. Moving up in the company is possible as i have already and my kids are much happier because mommy actually loves her job. No one is paying me to write this i don't do reviews typically because the time it takes but i believe in our team amd if you want great care and affordable care please try us for a week and I personally guarantee you, you'll be the next to write a review.”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your family!”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one. It is obvious, Tom and his team have a passion for the work they do. They are so patient and kind and treated us and our loved one like one of their own members of the family. We are forever grateful.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Libbey Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Olivella or visit Charles M. Pratt House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Ojai, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ojai, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ojai, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
It’s been a busy year for Highly Likely co-owner Kat Turner, who is also a competitor on Bravo’s current season of Top Chef. Highly Likely, Los Angeles’s intrepid all-day cafe with two outlets in Highland Park and West Adams, debu...
It’s been a busy year for Highly Likely co-owner Kat Turner, who is also a competitor on Bravo’s current season of Top Chef. Highly Likely, Los Angeles’s intrepid all-day cafe with two outlets in Highland Park and West Adams, debuted a third location in Ojai on May 7. Highly Likely took over the former Beacon Coffee Company in late 2024 and converted it into an all-day cafe.
Expect the cafe’s favorites on the menu like breakfast sandwiches, chilaquiles, salads, tuna melts, and seasonal soups from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. At night, it’ll flip into a low-lit space for dinner and cocktails from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., except Tuesdays. Eventually, service will be seven days a week. Highly Likely also serves Midwest comforts from Turner’s childhood, including fettuccine Alfredo, fried chicken schnitzel, and steak au poivre. Turner says that Highly Likely Ojai will focus on local wines and has added a new pixie tangerine sorbet to the dessert menu.
Highly Likely is located at 211 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA, 93023.
James Beard Award-winning food writer, editor, and former Los Angeles restaurant critic, Besha Rodell, recently published a new book titled Hunger Like a Thirst: From Food Stamps to Fine Dining, a Restaurant Critic Finds her Place at the Table. Eater’s own Lesley Suter will interview Rodell in Chinatown’s Now Serving bookstore on May 13 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a book signing after. Full details are on Eventbrite.
Punch recently announced the finalists for the 2025 Best New Bartenders. Formerly known as the Bartender in Residence, Best New Bartenders searches for the next generation of innovative bartenders who are moving the industry forward. Only 20 national nominees made the list, including Los Angeles’s own Kenzo Han from Firstborn and Camelia’s Kevin Nguyen.
The New York Times wrote about Jeremy Fox’s love-hate relationship with burgers. The Birdie G’s chef spoke about being triggered by the mere mention of burgers, which stems back to a contentious situation surrounding the dish’s removal at his other restaurant, Rustic Canyon. Still, Birdie G’s has recently added a $32 burger option to its own menu, given the popularity of the dish in Los Angeles.
In more burger talk, Southern California’s mega burger chain announced that more are opening in the region. Three new locations are headed to Indio, Modesto, and Monrovia. They’re not stopping there, with additional ones in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington, reports the Los Angeles Times.
211 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023 Visit Website
April 23, 2025 3 AM PTJon Bernthal is in his preferred habitat: on a stage. At Los Angeles’ storied Rogue Machine Theatre, he volleys dialogue with actor Marin Ireland while rehearsing an upcoming performance of the play “Ironbound” as part of his decades-long passion project. Though the actor is due at the L.A. premiere of “The Accountant 2” in a few hours, his excitement for this particular process and the material is palpable. “Theater has always been the closest thing that I’ve ever known ...
April 23, 2025 3 AM PT
Jon Bernthal is in his preferred habitat: on a stage. At Los Angeles’ storied Rogue Machine Theatre, he volleys dialogue with actor Marin Ireland while rehearsing an upcoming performance of the play “Ironbound” as part of his decades-long passion project. Though the actor is due at the L.A. premiere of “The Accountant 2” in a few hours, his excitement for this particular process and the material is palpable. “Theater has always been the closest thing that I’ve ever known to church, to spirituality and to religion,” said Bernthal. “I feel like I have a connection to something so much bigger than myself. This is about [collaborating with] artists who love this and, like me, this thing saved their lives.”
In roughly two weeks, Bernthal will be back in that favored haven, in his adopted hometown. He and his co-artistic directors will launch the Ojai Theatre Festival with their inaugural production, “Ironbound.” Taking place at Ojai’s Chaparral Auditorium over two weekends in May, the project is a labor of love for everyone involved, most of whom are donating their time and talents. Bernthal is not only producing and acting, he’s funding the entire endeavor, a major component of which included renovating a closed public school building to use as the performance venue that will be donated to the local school’s arts department after the festival. “We’ve taken this old, historic, rarely used building from a defunct school district and we’ve refurbished it,” explained Bernthal. “We put in state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and we’re donating it to the Nordhoff theater department and to the Højs, who are [Nordhoff High School’s] drama teacher and dance teacher. They’re institutional artists that have raised so many young artists and now they will have a theater for their performances.”
Joining Bernthal on his mission are longtime friends Josh Bitton and Isidora Goreshter, who want to bring Broadway-caliber productions and arts programs to the local community. “We’re just three actors trying to figure out how to throw a theater festival in Ojai,” said Goreshter. “It was Jon’s idea, he’s always wanted to bring theater to Ojai.” Given Bernthal’s demanding work schedule over the last year and a half, the actor entrusted Bitton and Goreshter with big decisions and finding the space where they’d host the festival. “We had looked at a lot of buildings. I walked in [to the Chaparral] and had chills,” Goreshter continued. “And then Josh walked in and he was like, ‘This is it.’ The building means a lot to the community. It’s literally in the center of Ojai.”
Bernthal has lived in the small, formerly sleepy valley town for 10 years with his wife, Erin, and their three children. “Of all the places I’ve lived, it’s the most I’ve ever felt at home,” he said. “I’ve become friends with everybody on the school board. I play basketball with them and I’ve coached their kids.” Seeing firsthand how gentrification and rapidly rising housing costs have started to negatively affect the mostly blue-collar town, Bernthal set out to give back. “I’ve seen huge changes, and the thing that I think has suffered the most is the public school,” he said. “I want to show the kids [here] what a life in the arts is about.”
An Ojai transplant himself, the actor is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the close-knit community while fostering its artistic growth.
“Opening a theater, doing a theater festival has always been a dream of mine. It has been the dream,” said Bernthal. “I hope this doesn’t come off too grandiose or douchey, but as I see the place changing in the way that it is, I wanted to bring something great to this town and to do it in the right way for the right reasons.”
The actor is proud to be fulfilling his dream and supporting it financially. “I’ll be honest, it is more expensive than I ever thought, but you can’t cut corners,” he admitted. “You’ve got to buy the lights, to build this stuff. You’ve got to hire the actors, fly people out, put people up.”
Bernthal, Bitton and Goreshter hope that by launching the festival with a high-level production like “Ironbound,” locals and visitors alike will be motivated to participate and support their efforts for years to come. The play, a gripping portrayal of a Polish immigrant trying to survive and succeed in America, “is challenging, it’s biting, it’s hilarious, it’s dark, super topical,” said the actor. Ireland, whom Bernthal refers to as “a gangster” and “powerhouse,” returns to the starring role she originated off-Broadway and performed in 2018 at the Geffen Playhouse. The play, directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos, also stars Shiloh Fernandez. “It’s an opportunity for the students in the town to see a world-class performance.” Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok, who happily granted them use of her work, will participate in the festival as well.
Watching the 48-year-old Bernthal in action is a reminder why he’s such an in-demand star, known for delivering memorable performances with minimal screen time. In the last six weeks, Bernthal has promoted his action thriller “The Accountant 2” in three different cities, flown to and from Greece to film Christopher Nolan’s star-studded “The Odyssey,” worked in New York on Marvel’s standalone “Punisher” special that he’s writing and top-lining for Disney+ and returned to the Chicago set of “The Bear,” which last year earned him his first Emmy. Not to mention banking episodes for the new season of his hit podcast, “Real Ones.” Grateful for his success and packed work schedule, Bernthal would love to spend more time onstage. “There’s no going back. There’s no second take,” he said. “There’s nothing that scares me quite like that, and there’s nothing I’m quite as addicted to as that.”
Bernthal credits his mother, Joan, with recognizing his potential as a performer early on. Born and raised in an affluent suburb of Washington, D.C., his younger years were plagued with what he called “complete buffoonery” — street fights, misplaced aggression and behavior that resulted in multiple arrests. Bernthal’s mom, a social worker, sent him to his first acting class essentially as punishment, an initial toe dip that he said felt electric, like “touching the third rail.”
March 31, 2025
Because he was an athlete heading to New York’s Skidmore College on a baseball scholarship, Bernthal scoffed at pursuing the art form. In college he “took a theater course really by accident,” taught by his future mentor Alma Becker. “Tapping into the same energy that in my life got me in trouble, [pursuing] danger, risk, I found that taking the energy of a room and turning it on its head, scaring people, scaring myself … was actually getting me love and respect and encouragement.” Acting was the answer, once he got out of his own way. “It was like I was dead set on proving everybody I was a real Class-A f— up,” he said. Bernthal was kicked out of college, but Becker stuck by him and helped get him into the prestigious Moscow Art Theatre program in 1999. “She really saved my life,” he said of Becker, whose name Bernthal has lovingly tattooed on his forearm, along with the emblem for the Moscow Art Theatre, a seagull in flight.
Unsurprisingly, the two years in Russia humbled him. “For a kid who thought he was this tough street-smart kid from D.C., I was in for a very rude awakening,” he said. “It was the most rigorous and disciplined training I had ever gone through.” The day Bernthal returned from Moscow, he met his now-wife, who was a trauma nurse, and in 2002 he graduated with a master of fine arts from Harvard. “There’s no way I would be able to put food on my kids’ table by doing this if it wasn’t for Alma and the decision to go there.”
Launching the festival is giving Bernthal not only an opportunity to practice his favorite art form but to pay it forward. “We really want to make theater that everybody will enjoy,” said Bernthal. “We want to put on plays that you could only see in New York or London or maybe in L.A., but to make it all open for the public school kids.” All “Ironbound” rehearsals will be open to the public, and local students are involved in the production. “They’re helping with the lighting, they’re helping with the design. They’re going to work at the theater,” said Bernthal. “And all during our run, we’re going to have classes for the kids.”
“I really want to show L.A., and everybody [who attends], what the real Ojai is all about,” he said. “This is not going to be valet parking and [trendy] restaurants, where you could be in L.A. This is an Ojai thing put on by and with Ojai residents. It’s for this town and will always be for this town.”
All proceeds will go directly to the school district, with all associated programs and classes available for free for local students. They hope to expand the event from one play to an annual festival with multiple productions in the coming years, to make Ojai a bona fide theatrical destination.
“Ultimately, this is for my kids,” Bernthal continued. He and his wife have two sons, 13 and 12, and a daughter, 9. “I want my kids to grow up around and among a real thriving theater community. And this is going to sound corny, but I cannot wait to have a bunch of 10-year-old Ojai kids as ushers. And when people see how polite and respectful and how present they are, I want that same magic to [happen for] those same kids when they watch this complicated play and be [transformed] like, ‘What the f—?’ ‘Holy s—.’ ‘This is possible.’”
'Ironbound'
Where: The Chaparral Auditorium, 450 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
When: 8 p.m. May 9-10; 3 p.m. May 11; 8 p.m. May 16-17; 3 p.m. May 18
Tickets: $35 (profits will be donated to the Nordhoff High School theater arts department)
Contact: Ojai Theatre Festival
805-563-6440
