Tag: actor

August 14, 2019 ~ Bill Kirchenbauer

Posted onAuthorGary WimmerLeave a comment

Bill Kirchenbauer
Entertainer Extraordinaire

Bill Kirchenbauer

Our guest speaker at August’s #NAMixer will be the one and only Bill Kirchenbauer, an intensely talented and insanely creative actor, comedian, producer, writer, host, and much sought-after entertainer. Bill has appeared in film flicks you may have seen, including Airplane, National Lampoon, and Stoogemania, as well as starring and regular roles on television series, including Mork & Mindy, Fernwood Tonight & America 2 Night, Night Court, and Totally Hidden Video.

Bill’s been tickling people’s funny bones since early childhood. Later, while his peers studied marketing strategy, he pursued mime, ventriloquism, and improvisation, leading up to his winning the first Stand Up Competition in Los Angeles in 1978. Soon after that victory, he appeared on Late Night With David Letterman and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Carson liked Bill so much that he booked him for 10 more appearances.

ABC executives knew a good thing when they saw his popularity spiral in the role of the irascible, but lovable, “Coach Lubbock” in the hit series Growing Pains, leading to starring in a spinoff in the same role that also proved to be a ratings hit, Just the Ten of Us, which continues to air in many countries, including the United States on the USA Network.

Bill’s true love has always been the stage, and he’ll be on ours this month! So don’t miss an evening with him to learn what drives him, how he manifested his dreams, and his successes. Mark you calendars and join us on Wednesday, August 14 @ Opal Divine’s for a fun-filled, inspirational, and unique experience with stories from our industry’s foxhole.

Last Month

We extend our deepest appreciation to those brave and highly successful casting directors who graced our stage in July: Brad & Kimberly Burton, both CSAs of Burton Casting, Michael Druck of Michael Druck Casting, and our own amazing Donise Hardy, CSA, of A Casting Place.

These outstanding professionals shared their insights and experiences with our huge crowd, and answered all kinds of questions from our attendees. Thank you all so much for your time and passion!

See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

Come on the 14th and bring a friend to network and enjoy the show. While there enjoy Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

Beware both rush hour traffic and current construction! From IH35,

heading south, slight right with construction cones veers off the frontage road to get to the businesses just north of Oltorf, including Opal Divine’s at the Best Western Plus Hotel

heading north, turn left onto Oltorf, then turn right immediately after crossing over the southbound frontage road of IH35 onto East Live Oak Street, and turn right into the Best Western Plus Hotel parking lot where Opal Divine’s is situated

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Find this month’s mixer on Facebook and invite your friends.
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Program @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking

May 8, 2019 ~ Mike Gassaway

Posted onAuthorGary WimmerLeave a comment

Mike Gassaway
Actor & Activist

Guess who’s coming to our mixer on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Opal Divine’s Austin Grill. Since our audience is so often filled with actors and aspiring actors, we present one right here in Austin who’s succeeding in making a living at it: Mike Gassaway!

Mike is an Emmy Award winning actor with a long résumé of roles in television & web series, commercials, documentaries, and feature films including The Magnificent Seven (2016), Thrilla in Manila (2018), and Dallas (2012), among others.

Some interesting facts about Mike:

  • The city of Noble, Oklahoma declared April 5, 2002 “Mike Gassaway Day” for his legal accomplishments and his commitment to democracy.
  • Awarded “The Best Dressed Man in Oklahoma” in 2005 by the Oklahoma Journal Record.
  • Set a World Land Speed Record for 250 cc Motorcycles at the Bonneville Salt Flats under the sanction of The Southern California Timing Association on a Kawasaki KR1 in the 250cc P-P class in 1989, which stood until 2007.
  • Awarded the “Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Decade” Award in 2000 by the Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
  • Ranked #28 on Sport & Fitness Magazine’s “100 Hottest Men Over 50” list.
  • Was named Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Decade by the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
  • Prolific athlete endeavoring equestrian, jockey, golf, jet skier, kick boxing, martial arts, aerobics, badminton, pool/billiards, boating, body building, boxing, motorcycle riding, sprint running, scuba diving, shooting, snowmobile, stage combat, tennis, track & field, weight lifting, wrestling.
  • Inducted into the “Professional Karate Magazine” Hall of Fame.
  • Can speak in a Southern or Scottish accent.
  • The music video for Cloud Nothings commissioned by Urban Outfitters in which Gassaway is the sole actor went to #1 on Spin Magazine’s play list.
  • 2018 inductee in to the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
  • Skilled as a comedian, diver, juggler, motorcyclist, licensed driver, stuntperson, and with medical equipment, firearms, an ear prompter and a teleprompter.
  • Was selected and became member of the Rosa Parks “Wall of Tolerance” for his exemplary work in the courtroom representing and defending the civil rights of others.

Represented by one of our favorite talent agents at Acclaim, Mike’s been around the block a few times, and on more than a motorcycle! He can knowledgeably speak on acting, films, TV, the law, fitness, hogs — both the animal and the riding kind, as well as how be to be an inspiring, hard-working, caring and compassionate human being. Mike is indeed a complete package of talent, determination, and conscious living!

Last Month:

We extend our deepest appreciation to our 3rd Panel of Talent Agents for their time, dedication, insights, and answers to our questions at our #NAMixer on April 10, 2019. Thanks so very much to Laura Maxwell-Scott of Collier Talent Agency, and Jorge Elizondo & Jimmy Cobble of TAG Talent!

See photos here, and more mixer photos here.

Come on the 8th and bring a friend to network and enjoy the show. While there enjoy Opal Divine’s Happy Hour which lasts until 7, then $3 “Three for Texas” beers the rest of the evening. And don’t cook or go anywhere else for a meal or snacks because Opal’s offers a tasty and largely locally-sourced menu of goodies.

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Find this month’s mixer on Facebook and invite your friends.
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Speaker @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking