Stewart Strauss(II)
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Stewart Strauss was born in Hollywood, California. He's lived most of his life in California, with a few years in Reno, Nevada, while hosting a nightly radio show on KTHX FM. Being a SoCal native meant growing up near film and TV studios, location shoots, actors, musicians and crafts people. By eight years old Stewart was learning to play the cello and guitar. By thirteen he was playing clarinet in his schools orchestra and guitar in teen rock bands.
His first bout with theater was in elementary school, but pursued sports and music instead. Stewart took photography in high school, then filmmaking and theater arts, at Los Angeles Valley College. Within a few semesters he was directing one act plays, performing in musicals, comedies and dramas, and played the part of the (on stage) guitarist in the colleges production of Man Of La Mancha.
To say that Stewart has been acquainted with some of the biggest stars of film, music and TV, would be an understatement. "I've shook hands with both Frank's, Sinatra and Zappa". Elvis Presley, Paul and Linda McCartney, Joni Mitchell, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, and most recently, Bob Odenkirk, to name a few.
It was always music first. Stewart came back to L.A. and went back to school, after spending nearly six years in Lake Tahoe, as a ski and sports bum, and poker dealer, to study commercial music and music theory. Money was tight. He had a friend that was working as an extra and invited Stewart to an open casting call, for Staying Alive. The sequel to Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta. "I went along for the ride, got booked, spent the next several days on set, learned a lot, and had a blast!" The same thing happened on Oh, God! You Devil, with George Burns.
Years went by before Stewart even thought about working as an extra, again. While living in Lake Tahoe, for a second time, when Smokin' Aces was being filmed at the lake. There was an open call for background, he showed up, got booked, worked in multiple scenes, for a week or so, and had a blast!
It wasn't long before Stewart was back in L.A. to help his parents at home. A friend suggested he register at Central Casting, in Burbank. His first job for Central was a rush call for Mad Men. "I was instantly transported back to 1963. The authenticity was amazing". He was featured in the sequence being filmed, but the bonus was the royal treatment that Matthew Weiner extended to the background actors. Stewart decided to pursue background work. The next step was getting into the union. Stewart joined AFTRA in 2010, after working in a sketch on Important Things with Demetri Martin. "My first SAG voucher came on Water For Elephants. I played a roustabout. It was a great experience. My remaining SAG vouchers were earned on Argo. I played a !st A.D., then later in the shoot, I became a CIA agent. Not too shabby!"
By the time David Lynch was casting Woodsmen, for Twin Peaks (2017) Stewart had plenty of experience, but not the total faith of a director. Lynch trusted that Stewart would be up for the challenge and the rest is history. "I'm not recognized on the streets and that's fine with me". Ever since Twin Peaks (Season 3) aired, I've been invited to Comic-Con's, The Twin Peaks Festival, The David Lynch Festival Of Disruption, LosConn, and other festivals. It's a whole different world for me and I'm grateful for it".
Stewart was seen as himself on Nathan For You, with Nathan Fielder. It happened to be one of the most popular episodes of the entire series. Stewart also appeared in both seasons of the Jim Carey produced, I'm Dying Up Here, on Showtime.
Most recently Stewart can be seen in Night Court, Reboot, Quasi, Mrs. Davis, and 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Stewart also has professional experience in music, television production and post. Check out his YouTube channel, for examples. He's performed multiple times on the Sonny Michaels Show, a fine Australian variety show, also available on YouTube.
He released an album of original music and covers in 2021, called Precipice Of Dismay. It's entirely self produced. Stewart wrote, played guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion, drum programming, and provided the vocals. It's available on most streaming services around the world. His podcast, Into The Woods With Stewart Strauss, can be heard most everywhere podcasts are listened to.