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By: Ezzah Rafique
David Lim, known for his role as Victor Tan on CBS’s hit show S.W.A.T., may seem like a natural-born actor today, but his journey to stardom was far from the typical Hollywood story. Before gracing television screens, David graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from UC San Diego, a field seemingly worlds away from the bright lights of acting and modeling. In an exclusive interview, David opened up about his nontraditional path to success, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and his latest venture—co-founding the jewelry brand Maya David with his wife, Marketa Lim. "Acting has always been my dream, but starting Maya David gave me a new way to express creativity and connect with people on a more personal level," Lim shares.
From Engineering to Acting: A Leap of Faith
David’s journey began in the halls of UC San Diego, where he diligently pursued a degree in electrical engineering, a decision motivated by passion and practicality. However, after graduation, he quickly realized that the career path he had set for himself wasn’t as fulfilling as he had hoped.
“I was super proud of myself for getting my degree, and my parents were proud, too. But pretty soon after starting my career, I realized I wasn’t cut out for it,” David recalled, reflecting on his early years post-college. He found himself working as a loan officer in the mortgage industry for about three years, a job that eventually left him feeling unchallenged. Yet, during this time, he discovered his passion for acting.
“I’d sit at my desk, pretending to look up leads, but in reality, I was Googling ‘how to become an actor,’” he shared with a laugh. “I had no clue what I was doing. I learned I needed headshots, an agent… it was a steep learning curve.”
That curiosity and determination led to his first break: a modeling contract with Ford Models. It wasn’t acting yet, but it was a step in the right direction. David moved from San Diego to Los Angeles, diving into modeling castings and commercials while studying acting on the side. His persistence eventually paid off in 2016 when he landed his first significant television role on Quantico, starring alongside Priyanka Chopra. “That was a huge moment for me,” he said. “It validated all the hard work I had put in.”
The Role of a Lifetime: Victor Tan on S.W.A.T.
While Quantico was a pivotal moment in David’s career, his role as Officer Victor Tan on S.W.A.T. truly solidified his place in the industry. Yet, even this wasn’t a straightforward path. In a twist of fate, David initially didn’t land the part.
“My manager called me after my final audition and said, ‘It’s not going to happen,’” David recalled, explaining how disheartened he was after hearing that he didn’t get the role. The buzz surrounding S.W.A.T. —with powerhouse names like Shemar Moore, director Justin Lin, and creator Shawn Ryan attached—made it a coveted project, and missing out felt like a significant setback.
But just a week later, David received a call that would change everything. “They wanted me to play Victor Tan, a character they created for me after the pilot,” he said. Originally intended to appear in only six episodes, David’s portrayal of Tan has now spanned eight seasons and over 150 episodes.
“Victor Tan has grown so much,” David said, reflecting on his character’s evolution over the years. “He started out as a young, ambitious officer trying to find his footing, and now he’s one of the senior members on the team, even running S.W.A.T. Academy.” For David, it’s been a rewarding experience to grow alongside the character, bringing elements of his own personality into the role. “Tan is loyal, has integrity, and is determined—qualities I like to think I share with him. Though, I have to admit, he’s a lot tougher than I am!”
Memorable Moments from Eight Years of S.W.A.T.
Eight seasons on a show is a monumental achievement, and David has a treasure trove of memories from his time on S.W.A.T.. “It’s been an incredible journey. I’ll remember this time in my life forever,” he said. Some standout experiences for him include filming on location internationally, particularly in Tokyo during Season 3 and Thailand in Season 6. “Getting to travel and work in these amazing locations was a dream come true. We were filming in the streets of Shibuya, in Bangkok, and even in the jungles of Chiang Mai. It’s something I’ll always remember.”
The camaraderie on set is another aspect David treasures. “We’re like a family,” he shared. “The original cast—Shemar, Jay, Patrick, and I—are all super close. We hang out outside of work, and that chemistry shows on screen.” As for the upcoming Season 8, David teased that it will be bigger and more action-packed than ever, with new cast members bringing fresh energy to the show. “I’ve never sprinted as much as I have in these episodes,” he laughed. “The scope feels larger, and we’ve been shooting on location more, which adds to the excitement.”
From Actor to Entrepreneur: The Birth of Maya David
"Playing Officer Victor Tan on S.W.A.T. has been an incredible experience. The discipline I’ve learned on set is something I apply to running my business too."
In addition to his acting career, David has taken on a new challenge: entrepreneurship. He and his wife, Marketa, co-founded the jewelry brand, Maya David, after a life-changing event—a burglary at their home. The thieves took many of their most cherished pieces of jewelry, which held deep sentimental value for the couple. Rather than letting the experience bring them down, they used it as inspiration to create something new.
“It was devastating at first, but we wanted to turn that negative into something positive,” David said. “We decided not to replace the stolen items but instead learn how to make our own jewelry.”
The couple took their time mastering the craft, creating pieces for themselves and close friends, who were so impressed by the thoughtful designs that they encouraged David and Marketa to start selling them. In just a couple of months, Maya David has grown into a successful business, with customers around the world resonating with the brand’s story of resilience and personal connection.
“We use high-quality materials like sterling silver, 14-karat gold, and semi-precious gemstones and pearls.. Every piece tells a story—our story. We wanted our jewelry to reflect the idea that beauty can come from challenging times,” David explained. The brand’s unique blend of artistry and sentimentality has clearly struck a chord with consumers.
A Balancing Act: Juggling Acting, Business, and Personal Life
With S.W.A.T. filming schedules and the demands of running a small business, balancing work and personal life is no small feat for David and Marketa. “It’s tough,” David admitted. “Marketa is a full-time model, and I’m on set 24/7. But we love working on Maya David together. It’s something we’re both passionate about.”
"It’s a challenge to balance my work on S.W.A.T. and leading Maya David, but it’s a passion project that fuels me in a different way. Both bring out different sides of who I am."
Evenings and weekends are often spent developing new designs and managing the logistics of running a business. David credits their teamwork for making it all possible. “She has such an eye for design, and I’ve always been good at sketching, so we complement each other really well. We never make something we wouldn’t wear ourselves, and that personal touch is what makes the brand special.”
One of David’s favorite pieces is a tiger’s eye necklace he made himself. “I wear it every day,” he said. Another standout is a bracelet his wife designed and gifted him for their anniversary, which they’ve since turned into one of their signature designs. “She calls it our Love Bracelet,” David shared. “It’s just a reminder of everything we’ve been through together.”
Embrace the Unknown and Take Risks
Reflecting on his leap from engineering to acting, David emphasizes the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. “The scariest and most important decisions in my life have been the ones that forced me to take risks. Leaving a stable job in the mortgage industry to pursue acting was a huge gamble, but I knew I’d always regret it if I didn’t at least try. That’s the advice I always give—don’t be afraid to take that first step, even if you don’t know what comes next.”
David stresses that no journey is ever linear. He points out that the discomfort of the unknown is often where the biggest personal and professional growth happens. “It’s easy to stay in a job that’s comfortable, even if you’re not happy. But you’ve got to trust your instincts and be willing to fail. Failure teaches you so much more than success.”
Persistence is Key
David’s story is one of perseverance, from his struggles to break into acting to building a brand from the ground up. He advises aspiring actors and entrepreneurs to stay patient and consistent, especially when the path seems tough.
“When I first started auditioning, I heard a lot of ‘no’s.’ And that’s something you have to get used to in this industry. Success didn’t happen overnight—it took years of[studying the craft, auditioning, and at times doubting myself]. But every ‘no’ is one step closer to a ‘yes.’ Persistence is everything.”
This persistence also extended to launching Maya David. Starting a business meant dealing with challenges they didn’t foresee, but for David, it’s all about keeping the bigger picture in mind. “There will be setbacks, but that’s part of the process. You can’t let one bad day define your journey. You have to keep moving forward.”
Find a Balance Between Passion and Practicality
While David advocates for following your passion, he also highlights the importance of practicality. When transitioning from mortgages to acting, he made sure to have a plan in place, gradually easing into the entertainment world by balancing a day job with acting classes and auditions.
“Passion will get you far, but you’ve got to be realistic about your goals. For me, that meant saving up money from my day job and making sure I was taking small, manageable steps toward acting rather than diving in with no safety net,” he explained.
Similarly, in his entrepreneurial venture, David has found that balancing creativity with a solid business strategy has been key. “My wife and I love designing jewelry, but we also had to learn about the business side of things—like managing finances, shipping logistics, and marketing. It’s a balance of passion and practicality.”
Stay Humble and Keep Learning
One of David’s core beliefs is the value of staying humble and continually learning. He credits much of his success to his willingness to absorb knowledge from others—whether it's on set or in business. “When I started acting, I knew I had a lot to learn. I took every opportunity to watch and learn from the people around me, whether it was fellow actors, directors, or even crew members. There’s always something new to learn, no matter what stage you’re at.”
This openness to growth has been a cornerstone of his entrepreneurial journey as well. David notes how much he and his wife have learned since starting Maya David—from jewelry-making techniques to the intricacies of running a business. “We’re still learning every day, and that’s something I hope to never lose. Humility and curiosity will take you far, no matter what industry you’re in.”
Build a Support System
Finally, David highlights the importance of having a strong support system, both professionally and personally. He credits his wife Marketa, his family, and his close circle of friends for keeping him grounded through all the highs and lows of his career.
“Having people who believe in you and support you, even when you’re doubting yourself, is so important,” David said. “Marketa has been my [rock], and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her encouragement and [support]. Find your tribe—people who lift you up and remind you of your worth, especially when things get tough.”
As David continues to take on new challenges in acting and business, his advice to others is simple but powerful: Take risks, stay persistent, remain humble, and always surround yourself with people who believe in you. It’s this blend of courage, dedication, and support that has allowed David to navigate an uncharted path to success, and he hopes his journey can inspire others to do the same.
Final Thoughts: Keep the Faith
For David, the most important piece of advice boils down to one thing: faith. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to have faith—in yourself, in your journey, and in the universe. There will be days when you question everything, but if you keep believing in what you’re working toward, things have a way of falling into place. Just keep going.”
Looking Ahead
As David continues to balance his thriving acting career with his burgeoning business, he remains grounded in his approach to both. Whether it’s portraying Victor Tan on S.W.A.T. or crafting a new jewelry design, David’s passion and drive shine through.
“I’m just excited to see where the journey takes us,” he said. “Both with S.W.A.T. and Maya David, it’s all about the adventure. We’re just getting started.”
From engineering to acting, from personal loss to entrepreneurial success, David Lim’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and relentless pursuit of passion. As S.W.A.T. enters its eighth season and Maya David continues to grow, one thing is clear: David Lim is just getting started, and the best is yet to come.
To learn more about Maya David, visit: www.shopmayadavid.com or follow on social media (@shopmayadavid)
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