( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) The Rising Star: Connor Dean’s Journey through Acting
ENSPIRE Contributor: Camila Lizardo
Connor Dean is a rising actor widely and best known for his roles in movies such as “Cool Cat,” where he played the character Butch the Bully, “Jingle Trails,” where he played the character Seth, and “9-1-1,” where he played the character Tucker. Dean could act alongside stars Erik Estrada and Vivica A. Fox in Cool Cat. His portrayal of Butch the Bully has gained a cult following, generating millions of video views and inspiring a lot of fan pages and humorous memes, contributing to the film’s widespread acclaim.
Dean was born in Melbourne, Florida. Dean pursued acting when he was initially dragged into the world of acting by his older brother, Alex J. Dean, who aspired to become an actor. Dean started with short film projects, commercials, and feature films. Dean started his career in Portland, Oregon working as a print model for Fred Meyer. He made his first television appearance in Dead Grandma, where he played the role of Gus Gus.
Dean received multiple nominations for two Young Entertainer Awards for his role in the film “Cool Cat” and his recurring role in the popular TV show 9-1-1, where he appears in 2 different episodes alongside Angela Bassett and Peter Krause. Dean also received a nomination for Best Lead Actor for his starring role in Jingle Trails, which can be streamed on Amazon Prime, where he won.
Dean currently has two podcasts that can be found on all major podcast platforms. One podcast is called “In or Out with Connor Dean,” which concentrates on sports and pop culture. The second podcast is called “Clowns ‘R’ Us,” which is about horror films and is co-hosted by Max Bartos, who is an actor as well. Dean also participates in philanthropic activities, represents various organizations as a celebrity ambassador, manages his production company, has experience as a runway model in NYFW, and is skilled in competitive tennis.
We spoke with Connor Dean about his acting career up to this point, Here’s what he had to say
Could you talk about what motivated you to choose to act as a career, and in what way did your brother impact your decision to pursue acting?
My motivation to become an actor was as simple as going to auditions with my brother anyway, so I figured I might as well audition myself! My brother had always wanted to be an actor, but I was getting more and more into sports. My mom didn’t have a babysitter mostly when she took my brother to auditions, so I had to ride in the car and sit in the waiting room. One day, I told her I just wanted to do it too, so she signed me up for classes. I found I loved it!
How did you feel when you were nominated for your performances in “Cool Cat” and the television series “9-1-1”?
As the saying goes, “It’s always an honor to be nominated,” which is true. I was thrilled to be nominated for 2 shows in one year! Although I didn’t win, the whole experience was amazing. During COVID, I was also nominated and won Best Actor for my role in “Jingle Trails.” Sadly, the award show was over Zoom, so I didn’t get the same experience as an in-person award show, but it was exciting nonetheless!
What inspired you to create the podcasts “In or Out with Connor Dean” and “Clowns ‘R’ Us”?
My first podcast, “In or Out with Connor Dean,” started when BLEAV reached out to me to do a tennis podcast since I am a competitive tennis player. I found that the format of being alone as a podcast host was difficult, so I haven’t been doing it as much. I need a co-host to bounce off of so my friend and I decided to start “Clowns ‘R’ Us” because we are both horror movie fans.
Are there any special moments or difficult situations you have encountered as an actor?
I think the most difficult situation I’ve encountered as an actor has come from playing Butch the Bully in the “Cool Cat” movies. While I am grateful for the experience, people had a hard time distinguishing me from my character. I was bullied both online and in person, and I even had some death threats and horrible memes made of me. I was young, and it was a scary time, for sure. The bullying continued into high school. It made me learn how to diffuse situations and handle bullies.
What are your tips for people who want to become actors and start in movies and shows?
The biggest tip I have for people who want to become actors is to be an actor because you love it, not because you want to be famous. While acting is rewarding, it can also be hard. You receive a lot of “no’s,” and some people won’t understand why you can’t go places because of work. If you are doing it because you love it, then none of the other stuff won’t matter.
What has been the most rewarding part of your acting journey so far?
I think the most rewarding part of my acting journey so far is that it has opened a lot of doors for me. I have had a lot of unique experiences that most people my age don’t get to experience. I’ve met some amazing people, helped charities, and gone to some fabulous places. I have a pretty great life, and it’s all because of acting.
What are some of the future goals you have as an actor?
That’s a good question! I know I want to continue to write scripts and maybe step more behind the camera as a director or filmmaker. I never know where this crazy journey will take me, but I know I will be ready for anything!
Throughout his time in the entertainment world, Dean has achieved many successes and had different experiences in films and shows. Looking ahead, Dean shows great potential and remains a versatile and impressive presence in the acting industry.
To learn more about Connor Dean, you can visit his Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and official website, ConnorDeanOfficial.
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