ANDREW PRIESTMAN

This 26-year-old former athlete is now a heartthrob of the future

Premiere Issue (P. 18)

By Deborah Gilels

From an early age, Andrew Priestman has been a "go-getter" and can't remember a moment where he wasn't trying to be the center of attention. By the time he was three, he was riding freestyle BMX bikes, snowboarding and skiing. After high school he trained to be a stuntman, but when his body could no longer take the demands of the job, turned his sights to an acting career after a chance meeting with director Bruno Pischiutta. Now, this Toronto Pictures' star of tomorrow discusses his past, present and future with Daria! Contributing Editor Deborah Gilels

Deborah Gilels: Hi there Andrew. Please tell me about your childhood - growing up in Ontario, Canada

Andrew Priestman: Hey Deborah! I'm happy to tell you about my (laughs) checkered past. Well, here it is - I grew up in the small town of Acton, Ontario, about forty-five minutes away from Toronto. From an early age, I was definitely a “go getter”. There wasn't a moment that went by that I was not trying to be the center of attention. At the ripe old age of three, I was riding freestyle BMX bikes, snowboarding and skiing. My parents reluctantly gave me the appropriate nickname of “Taz”. They placed me in every possible sport they could think of, allowing me to have an outlet for all of my energy and aggression. During high school, I joined the snowboarding club, where my aspirations of becoming a professional athlete started to grow.

DG: What was your next step after you graduated from high school?

AP: I attended Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. Then, when I was nineteen, I packed my bags and moved to Whistler B.C. to pursue my dreams. I worked as a professional snowboarder and tried my hand at freestyle motocross. Several severe injuries later, I came to realize that I really wanted to do stunt work, which included not only snowboarding, but jet ski's, snowmobiles and motocross too! The thrill of becoming a stunt man in Hollywood films was the new career I craved.

DG: Wow! That's awesome. Then what happened?

AP: After three years of hard training and many dead ends, my body could no longer take the demands of the job.

DG: So is that when you turned to acting?

AP: Well, I actually started when I was a child, by playing background characters in several movies but then I moved on to other things. Years later, right after I compress fractured a vertebrae in my back during a freestyle MX show I met Bruno Pischiutta. He immediately sparked my interest in becoming a successful film actor. So, I dove in full time, 2 years ago, when I was 24, knowing that this path would be a very challenging one. Except this time, I felt that there were no limits, mentally and physically, to my success and satisfaction.

DG: Great. Well, I can vouch for Bruno - he's the best! He's a man who always goes for his dreams and encourages others to do the same. Now, look at how things are manifesting for him.

AP: I agree. . With all that in mind, I have signed a six-year contract with International Film Properties, and will work under Bruno and Daria's guidance. I'm really looking forward to performing in many films with both of them, including leading roles in Virtary and Glicine.

DG: What other films have you been working on?

AP: I have just finished a Feature film in NYC, called The System Within. As the only Canadian Actor in the film, I play Lead FBI agent Crouton. I worked along side Actor Robert Miano (Donnie Brasco, Laws of Deception), Hawthorne James (Five Heartbeats, Speed , Seven) and EMI rap star Chingy. This project was the brainchild of Tariq Alexander, a former model turned actor and producer. The film is scheduled for release this fall.

DG: Andrew, thanks for your time and for sharing so much about yourself. Any parting thoughts?

AP: I feel privileged to have a chance to add some facet of entertainment to movie lovers all over the world. To me, like Bruno, it only makes to follow your dreams, not to have your dreams follow you. Becoming an actor is a powerful position to be in, in many ways, but I want to touch and encourage people. Acting is not a road to fame for me, but a road to fulfillment. D

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