Beech Tree News Network

When I was first introduced to Butler County native and internationally known actor Andy Stahl by a mutual friend I wasn’t sure what to expect, after all, I had never met a real actor before. Turned out that he didn’t have painted lips, wasn’t wearing make-up, and when he stood up he also wasn’t bigger than life. 

      Raised on a farm in Butler Andy started in show business at age 5 when he practiced being an Elvis impersonator. Later, he graduated from Western Kentucky University with a minor in Theater and turned serious about his acting while performing with a professional group in summer theater at Horse Cave Theater. From those humble beginnings, he went on to work in New York in various off-Broadway productions while studying with acting coach great Jack Waltzer who trained actors such as Dustin Hoffman, Robert Duvall, and Sharon Stone.

 In search of more work he then traveled to locations such as Atlanta, Nashville, and way up north to Vancouver Canada. Andy has landed key roles in movies such as “The Blind Side,” “The Patriot,” Christy,” “Get Low,” and others. Television credits include “The Resident,” “Christy,” “Sea Quest,” “Reckless,” “Supernatural,” and a long list of more.“The role of Tom McHone in the movie Christie fit me like a sock,” Andy recently told me when I asked him what his favorite acting part was.

 During our talk on the family farm, I found out that Andy quite often travels to Vancouver Canada for location shoots. Vancouver is filled with old original buildings with means sets don’t have to be built. Likewise, It's in the same time zone as Hollywood which also makes it a desirable location. Listening to Andy talk about his life journey, I also discovered that acting is work and actors have to find acting jobs if they want to get paid. Not too much different from going to the unemployment office and landing the temporary assignment of dressing, talking, and pretending to be your neighbor down the road for a couple of weeks. That takes skill and creativity. 

 These days, acting and music are still a big part of Andy’s life, along with songwriting, holding speaking engagements, taking care of his mom, and working on the tractor when he’s not hitching up his socks.