Kevin Kolack
Eclectic actor, Renaissance man
My manifesto –
Why I am an actor
1. Team building
I really admire some of the amazing groups of people working in the business who’ve worked together for years and years: Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy and Jack Giarraputo with Frank Coraci and Dennis Dugan; Jack Black and Kyle Gass; Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner (well, Paula left now, but it was a long run!); David Mamet’s group; the Blue Tongue boys; John Cusack and Steve Pink; Danny DeVito’s group; Victor Salva's gang; Will Smith and James Lassiter; The Lonely Island guys (Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Shaffer); Will Ferrell and Adam McKay; Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell and Rob Tapert- the list goes on and on. I know a lot of excellent people in the biz– actors, writers, directors, producers, makeup artists, photographers, musicians, etc.– and I plan on dragging them all along with me to the top.
2. Fire trucks and water
Through my experience as a firefighter/EMT at the rural Bloomington Township Fire Department, I saw firsthand how good, highly-trained and motivated people often lack the equipment necessary to protect life and property. Meanwhile, larger, better-funded departments upgrade to the latest equipment, abandoning perfectly good equipment that could be put to good use elsewhere. There are fire trucks, rescue tools, and protective gear that need good homes, and homes that need them. I have accepted as my mission to facilitate the transfer of this used equipment, assisting smaller departments in its purchase, delivery, or in any other way necessary. Finally, water is an issue for far more people than oil. As a Ph.D. chemist, this has been apparent to me for decades. I see no reason to reinvent the wheel, and am a big fan of Gary White and Matt Damon's Water.org.
3. Sending a message
In an article about how pervasive Al Gore’s message in “An Inconvenient Truth” had become, Entertainment Weekly stated “if you truly want to make a difference these days, if you really want to be taken seriously by the public and participate in the national dialogue, you don’t run for President. The job title for you is Movie Star.” Whether or not that’s a good thing, it has a large measure of validity. I have experienced a lot of different things and interacted with a lot of different people. I’m generally regarded as cool-headed, well-spoken, and a calming influence. I would like nothing more than to spread a message of peace, harmony, and caring for your fellow man to a very large audience.
4. Me!
As was made clear to me by Larry Moss, this manifesto was here for almost 2 years and I hadn't given myself anything in it! Well, I truly love the technical aspect of film. I love the teamwork, the group effort. I like doing lots of different things, and honestly, being paid to learn something new so that I can then live it on camera sounds just perfect.
I thank you in advance for allowing me and helping me to do these things.
Bio
Kevin grew up outside of Atlanta in a town with no traffic light, though both his parents hail from the NYC area, which kept his neck from becoming too red. After getting a BS in Chemistry and Buddhism from The University of Virginia, Kevin moved to Bloomington, Indiana to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry (a truly challenging performance art) as well as certification as a master firefighter and EMT. While at Indiana, Kevin began his acting in earnest, traveling to Chicago weekly and NYC several times a year for classes and seminars.
Modern-day Renaissance man Kevin has been told it might be easier to list on his resume the things he has NOT done, since he has been everything from a movie theater manager robbed at gunpoint, to a florist, to a helicopter pilot and NYC taxi driver in real life, and just as wide a variety on stage and on screen. Kevin has been teaching at the Beginnings professional resident arts workshop and coaching on-camera and voiceover actors for more than 15 years. He has been seen in more than 50 studio and independent films and has appeared in standup comedy clubs around NYC, in addition to touring the country putting on a one-man, multiple-puppet show.
You may hear one of his many voices in a variety of cartoons and television and radio commercials, from standard announcer to cartoon mouse! Recent projects include the Cannes Fipresci Prize-winning Blue Ruin (RadiUs/TWC), The Mysteries of Laura, Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU, and the award-winning festival darlings “Little Indiana Jones,” “Twentysomething” and “H.R. Pukenshette.” He is married to the Rev. Diane Kolack with whom he has a son, and they live in NYC, where Kevin was once hit by a crane while driving on Queens Boulevard.
And now, the story of my life this time around thus far:
Conceived, Bloomington, IN
Born, Austin, TX (See what else happened on October 25th in various years)
Raised, Marietta and Kennesaw, GA, following a very short stint in Watertown, NY (See who else is from Kevin's 'hood)
Attended public school and graduated Salutatorian from North Cobb High School, 1987. Played trumpet in the band all 4 years.
High school jobs included camp counselor, lifeguard, swimming instructor (once taught in a water park wave pool) and movie theater manager (once robbed at gunpoint).
Graduated early from The University of Virginia in 1991, with a B.S. in Chemistry (under the guidance of Dr.'s Carey and Harrison) and a minor in Eastern Religions, with a focus on Buddhism under the Dalai Lama's translator, Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins. Dean's List. Echols Scholar. Pep Band. Rifle Team.
7,000-mile driving tour of the United States culminating with a summer as a resident camp counselor, lifeguard and rifle instructor outside Seattle, WA, 1991.
(See the Year in Review pages (still being moved to new site) for more details of years 1997 to present.)
Completed Ph.D. in Professor George Christou's research group in Inorganic Chemistry at Indiana University, 1997.
(Yep, back to where I was conceived!) Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 1995-1997.
Certified as a Master Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician and Master Instructor in the state of Indiana, volunteering for the Bloomington Township Department of Fire and Emergency Services, 1991-1998. Also certified as an EMT in New York.
Founded LKF Environment & Education, Inc., an environmental consulting and oil-spill recovery company, in Bloomington, IN, 1995.
Founded one of the few internet sites specializing in video sales (not pornos!), 1997.
Traveled to NY for week-long acting seminars, 1993-1997. Eventually became the head chaperone of Peter Sklar's beginnings Workshop.
Traveled to Chicago for weekly acting classes 1995-1997.
Resigned IU appointment to move to New York January 1, 1998 to pursue acting full time.
Adjunct Associate Professor of Chemistry, Hunter College, City University of New York, and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, 1998-1999.
First independent film, February 1998.
17,000 mile tour of the United States, performing one-man puppet shows for over 50,000 people at county fairs and circuses, summer 1998.
First Off-Off-Broadway play (as actor), October, 1998.
First stand-up comedy performance, Caroline's Comedy Club On Broadway, February 1999.
First Off-Off-Broadway play (as director), September, 1999.
NYC taxi driver 1999-2000.
First national radio commercial, 1999.
First trip to the Sundance Film Festival, 1/2001.
At the World Trade Center, 9/11/01.
First national TV commercial, 2002.
Sold last of Indiana property, began lease/purchase of Brooklyn warehouse, first compromised core values, began unfortunately long-term experience with betrayal by a close "friend" 2003.
Met Diane Campbell, 12/16/03 (at least the year ended on a promising note!).
Engaged to Diane Campbell, 6/18/04.
Married Diane Kolack, 10/21/05.
Began helicopter pilot lessons, 11/05.
First Law & Order:SVU appearance filmed, 1/06.
Completed 60th minute in vertical wind tunnel, indoor skydiving, 2/07.
October, 2011- produced, 1st-AD, and actor in "Kung Fu and Titties" with Bronson Pinchot and Mike Marino
October, 2012- lead antagonist in "Blue Ruin"- the first film sold at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
October, 2013- Teddy Kolack is born during party week!