Brian Mulligan Bio

Bio

Thanks for checking out my web site and wanting to learn more about me.

I have acted in a variety of media and am a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Most of my acting has been in local independent films – short and feature length. I have also been in television shows and stage performances. My roles have ranged from dramatic to comedic. I try to keep things varied to expand my abilities. As you can see on my resume, shows that I've been in have won several awards, had festival success, and have been released theatrically or on DVD. I also do stand-up comedy, which I'll get to in a minute (or more, depending on how fast you read).

I grew up in Southern California, but was never interested in a Hollywood career, although my grandmother was a sculptor who created props for such movies as Alien (the alien), The Deep (the eel), Heaven Can Wait, Billy Jack Goes to Washington, and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

I got involved in acting later in life, in about 2000, in response to an ad from a talent agency. Although I had seen ads like this many times in the past, for some reason it sparked my interest this time. Although I chose not to go with that agency (because they seemed more concerned about selling overpriced training) it had gotten me interested. I found a reputable agent, who had been in the business 35 years at that time, and I was off and running. It took me almost a year to land a part, but that time gave me a chance to improve my skills and increase my passion.

My first film was William Shatner's Groom Lake, in which I played a military guard. It was fun and educational, if not a stellar success (please excuse the pun). And Shatner was a terrific guy, as was everyone in the cast and crew.

That show was followed by a couple commercials, but not much more for a while. Then, roles in a few student films seemed to get the ball rolling. I was bitten by the bug and started pursuing roles more actively. At the same time, I got better known in the local film community. Within a year, my filming schedule got so busy that I occasionally had to deconflict shooting dates for different movies. Directors who didn’t even know me started casting me based on strong referrals, without requiring an audition. Crazy, huh? Some parts were even rewritten to fit me better. I took all this as a huge compliment and responded by dedicating myself even more to delivering quality performances (I hope).

My first big budget project was the Peter Berg film from Universal Pictures, The Kingdom, starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner (a wonderful person), Chris Cooper, and Jason Bateman. It was amazing acting with such accomplished and talented actors. The whole experience was a great education in filmmaking for me. Although I was only a "featured extra" - the bigger the movie, the smaller the role - I was thrilled to be a part of the project. And, when I saw the finished product and discovered that I had a close-up, I couldn't have been happier.

Even more fulfilling was being part of locally-produced independent films which have succeeded, at least with DVD releases. These were led by The Decoy and followed by Red 71 and Romance at Frisky's Bar and many since then.

I am also producer and a member of the Producers Guild. Check out Emerald Elephant Entertainment fo mo info.

I have been three-time president of the Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona (IFASA), which encourages, builds, and supports a strong local independent film community. I have also been on the board of the local art house theater, The Loft, which also does a lot to support independent film and fans of such films.

My stage performances include a play, a couple staged readings, and several operas (usually as an extra, or super – I’m not allowed to sing! – but once, so far, in a named role).

My main on-stage activity is stand-up comedy – which can be about the scariest thing I’ve done. While I first performed stand-up in 1997, I didn't start pursuing it actively until almost ten years later. At times, I direct my comedy towards incorporating personal development and racial understanding. My performance What's So Funny about Being Asian American? is an example of this emphasis. I've performed at the University of Notre Dame, The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, The Ice House in Pasadena, and Universal Studios Hollywood CityWalk, among others - even as distant as Afghanistan! After all that, my favorite performance, and best audience response, was at my father's 70th birthday party, where I gave the roast. That was a real pleasure for me, and for him, and everyone present.

I continue to hone my acting skills by training at professional studios, including instruction from former Saturday Night Live cast member, Anna Risley.

With my vague half-Thai, half-Irish complexion, I am able to play a range of ethnicities including Hispanic, Southern or Eastern European, Asian, Middle Eastern, or fair-skinned Black. It seems like people of different ethnicities always think that I’m also of their group, which is cool.

I have a somewhat athletic build and skills which include gymnastics (I continue to coach and work out), rock climbing, rappelling, parachuting, unicycling, swimming, and horseback riding. I have twenty years of military experience, mostly in special operations. I am conversant in German and lived overseas for eleven years.

I also do public speaking on film and other topics. I have spoken to various groups about the Tucson film community. I have organized and moderated panels at a few film festivals. I coordinated and moderated a panel on Asian Americans in Film, Television, and Theater at the national convention of the National Association of Asian American Professionals. Other fields I have spoken on include Networking, Mentorship, and International Business.

I am also a published writer. My writing has appeared in a national magazine and a European newspaper, as well as on the Web and in a long-running newsletter column.

I received my undergrad degree in business for the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Boston University. Notre Dame honored me as an Exemplary Asian Pacific Alumni. I have a son, Collin.

That’s it. That’s me.

Brian Mulligan web site / Send comments regarding this website or questions or comments for Brian Mulligan to: brian@brianmulligan.com
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This page last modified June 2011.