Rusty DeWees

Rusty Dewees

Rusty DeWees (born November 15, 1960) is an American actor, producer and writer. He works regionally in Vermont, off off broadway, in television and films. He is best known for his one-man comedy show, The Logger.^[1]

Early life

Rusty DeWees was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,^[2] the son of Marilyn Mason DeWees, a homemaker and newspaper business manager, and William Wallace DeWees, a Greyhound bus driver. He is the younger brother of Holly DeWees. DeWees is Dutch, meaning "the orphan". He attended Stowe High School, where he played basketball, and percussion in the school band. He also performed in the high school musicals. After graduating high school DeWees worked as a school bus driver, basketball coach, stonemason and logger. During a town team basketball game Champlain College coach Robert Tipson noticed him and recruited him to play basketball on the team.^[3] After graduating he worked as a gas jockey in Burlington, Vermont.

Career

DeWees acted in Burlington with Vermont Repertory Theater under the direction of Robert R. Ringer before moving to New York City in 1989 to pursue an acting career.

In New York, DeWees worked as assistant to William J. Doyle of William Doyle Galleries, while doing commercials and movies on the side.

Known for his authentic rural appearance, DeWees played heavies in the films: Black Dog – A Stranger in the Kingdom – Pieces of April – Radical Jack – Mud Season – Where the Rivers Flow North, The Devil's Own. DeWees also worked in TV's Law and Order, Saturday Night Live, The Cosby Mysteries, and various soap operas.

While working on the Patrick Swayze movie, Black Dog, he met the singer Meat Loaf, who gave DeWees advice on how to produce his one-man play, The Logger, a comedy in Two Ax, for which he is best known in and around New England.

DeWees has also written a book, Scrawlins, a compilation of short stories.

Awards

DeWees won Best Actor at the Los Angeles Method Fest Film Festival for his role as Jerry in Mud Season.

Personal life

DeWees was raised in Stowe, Vermont and attended the Stowe Community Church.

In addition to acting DeWees is a musician and plays with his band, The Fellers. DeWees also races stock cars at Thunder Road Speedbowl. DeWees works with charities, Ronald McDonald House, Make-a-Wish and Meals on Wheels. He does motivational speaking to high schools and businesses.

References

1. ↑ http://www.7dvt.com/2005/diamonds-and-rusty 7days
2. ↑ http://www.rustydewees.com/
3. ↑ Vermont Business Magazine