Rusty DeWees
Encyclopedia
Rusty DeWees is an American actor, producer and writer. He works regionally in Vermont, off off broadway, television and Films. He is best known for his one man comedy show,The Logger.
, 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. After graduating he worked as a gas jockey in Burlington, Vermont.
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.
for his role as Jerry in Mud Season.
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.
Early life
DeWees was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, 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. After graduating he worked as a gas jockey in Burlington, Vermont.
Career
DeWees acted in BurlingtonBurlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
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
Doyle New York
Doyle New York is one of the world's largest auctioneers and appraisers of fine art, jewelry, furniture, decorations and other specialty categories. Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Doyle offers approximately forty auctions each year...
, while doing commercials and movies on the side.
Known for his authentic rural appearance, DeWees played heavies in the films: Black Dog
Black Dog (film)
Black Dog is a 1998 film about an ex-con manipulated into transporting illegal arms. The film stars Patrick Swayze, Randy Travis, and Meat Loaf.-Plot:...
– A Stranger in the Kingdom – Pieces of April
Pieces of April
Pieces of April is a 2003 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Peter Hedges. The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.- Plot :...
– Radical Jack – Mud Season – Where the Rivers Flow North
Where the Rivers Flow North
Where the Rivers Flow North is a novel written in 1978 by Howard Frank Mosher.-Plot:Set in the late 1920s, its main characters Noel Lord and Bangor, a couple that live together in the wilderness of Vermont living off the land and using the trees in their numerous acreage as a way to make their money...
, The Devil's Own
The Devil's Own
The Devil's Own is a 1997 action thriller movie starring Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Rubén Blades, Natascha McElhone, Julia Stiles and Treat Williams. It was the final film directed by Alan J...
. DeWees also worked in TV's Law and Order
Law & Order franchise
The Law & Order franchise is a number of related American television series created by Dick Wolf and originally broadcast on NBC, all of which deal with some aspect of the criminal justice system...
, Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, The Cosby Mysteries
The Cosby Mysteries
The Cosby Mysteries is a American television mystery series that starred Bill Cosby. It was the first television series to star Cosby since The Cosby Show and lasted only one season...
, and various soap operas.
While working on the Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Wayne Swayze was an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best known for his tough-guy roles, as romantic leading men in the hit films Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and as Orry Main in the North and South television miniseries. He was named by People magazine as its "Sexiest...
movie, Black Dog, he met the singer Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
, 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 FestivalMethod Fest Independent Film Festival
Method Fest Independent Film Festival is an independent film festival that has currently held over 8 festivals. It is held in Calabasas, California and is dedicated to support the work of those who produce, make and work in independent film and to provide educational opportunities in independent...
for his role as Jerry in Mud Season.
Personal life
DeWees was raised in Stowe, VermontStowe, Vermont
Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,339 at the 2000 census. Tourism is a significant industry.-Geography:...
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.