The Essentials List: ‘Oppenheimer’ star David Dastmalchian talks the inevitability of death and his essentials for life
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In the world of celebrity endorsements, being the face of a casket company is very on-brand for “Oppenheimer” star David Dastmalchian, who plays Lester Billings in the 2023 film adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Boogeyman” and Wojchek in the Dracula flick “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.” In fact, the actor shares that he was immediately intrigued by the opportunity when his friend first approached him with the idea. “I’m definitely an actor and writer who has been associated with darkness and death and spooky things,” he says. “For my whole life, I’ve always loved and adored those things. The concept of memento mori is so powerful, and so I was like, ‘Fun. Awesome. Let’s meet!’”
Dastmalchian says that when he connected with the team at Titan Casket — the brand behind the casket Taylor Swift uses in her “Anti-Hero” music video — he immediately understood why they were so passionate about something that “seemed uncomfortably weird at first.”
“They saw the way in which a lot of the funeral industry was preying upon people in their time of loss,” he says. “And they were filling this void of affordable end-of-life memorial practices that were so wonderful.”
Titan Casket Orion Series
The copper casket Taylor Swift uses in her “Anti-Hero” music video has an adjustable bed, sculpted hardware and a high-gloss finish.
The realization that “this was really powerful and important,” he explains, is also when the partnership became more than just a fun opportunity. “It was still something that felt fun and kind of me, for lack of a better term, while at the same time, it gave me this really strong sense of pride in being able to tell people about an opportunity where they could memorialize a lost loved one without going into debt,” he says.
Through the partnership, the “Dark Knight” star has been working to normalize talking about what can otherwise be a very uncomfortable and difficult topic for a lot of people. Dastmalchian — who shares that he’s lost several loved ones, including both of his parents, in the last few years — has also been confronting his own feelings. “For me, ultimately starting to talk candidly about this subject once I started working with Titan opened the floodgates of normalizing the vulnerability and fear that comes with the experience of not only having to confront the fact that people I love are going to die but that I’m going to have to die,” he says.
Outside his work with the brand, the actor — who is set to star in the Apple TV+ series “Murderbot” — has been busy. With the massive success of “Oppenheimer,” he’s been flitting from red carpet to red carpet. He’s also been immersed in writing sessions; he’s currently working on a number of different comic books, including “Count Crowley.” And as a dad of two, Dastmalchian says he’s been learning how to care for his daughter’s new pet lizard and learning how to keep up with his son on Roblox.
Below, Dastmalchian shares some of his everyday essentials, which include his go-to SPF and the luxe candle he lights to unwind, with CNN Underscored.
DoTerra InTune Focus Roll-On Essential Oil Blend
“I was gifted a bottle of this a few years ago on set by Jeri Baker, and I have worn it ever since,” Dastmalchian says. “It’s incredibly natural and calming, and it is a good complement (or cover-up) to my own pheromones.” Formulated from a mixture of Hawaiian sandalwood, Roman chamomile, ylang-ylang, Amyris, lime, patchouli and frankincense, this essential oil blend is conveniently housed in a roller bottle for easy application.
Dr. Martens Crewson Classic Leather Everyday Boots
The actor shares that these smooth leather boots from Dr. Martens are his go-to pair of shoes. “I love walking when I’m exploring new cities, and the design of the boots makes my feet feel great while still matching whatever black clothing I’m wearing that day,” he says.
Ray-Ban ‘The Boyfriend’ Sunglasses
Dastmalchian is a fan of these Ray-Ban sunglasses, which are available in 13 different colors and prescription-friendly. “I wear them all day, every day,” he says, adding that he feels naked without them.
From $160 at Ray-Ban
From $160 at Amazon
Elta MD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
When it comes to sun protection, Dastmalchian relies on this sunscreen from Elta MD. “I have vitiligo and need a strong SPF that’s still supportive and easy on my skin,” he shares. “This was recommended to me by makeup master Heba Thorisdottir, and I’ve used it ever since.” Formulated for dry, oily and combination skin types, this lightweight facial sunscreen is sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
$35 at Elta MD
From $35 at Amazon
Cambivo Yoga Mat
Dastmalchian admits he wasn’t always a fan of yoga, but his wellness routine now includes him penciling in time to practice. He uses this yoga mat from Cambivo and notes that the mat and his Whatafit resistance bands travel with him wherever he goes. Dastmalchian also shares that the yoga videos he follows are from the popular YouTube channel Yoga With Kassandra.
From $70 at Cambivo
$65 at Amazon
Le Labo Santal 26 Candle
To unwind at the end of the day, Dastmalchian likes to burn Le Labo’s Santal 26 candle. Housed in a chic glass vessel, the wax candle is formulated with fragrance oils and has a wick made from natural fibers.
$84 at Nordstrom
$84 at Le Labo
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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