— by VANNA LAND —
As a fan of movies, movie stars and the business in general, I have often wondered what it would be like to actually work in the business. Since that is not very likely to happen, I decided to interview someone who currently is working in the film world.
Casey Nunez lives and works in New Orleans as a tour guide on a mule-drawn carriage in Jackson Square, but he also dabbles from time to time in the world of movies — mostly as a stand-in, but sometimes in a small role.
From left, professional wrestler John Cena and actor Casey Nunez.
“It was, in fact, exactly that,” he said. “A lifelong friend who works in the industry called me one day to see if I would be interested in a small part in an Elizabeth Shue production that was being shot here locally. I agreed and landed the part. The movie was originally going to be called ‘American Inquisition,’ but was later changed to ‘American Velvet.’ I have yet to actually watch it.”
Nunez said he feels it is much easier getting movie extra-work or stand-in work in New Orleans than it is in the Los Angeles area. In fact, he has recently been “turning stuff down.”
“Actually, here in New Orleans, there has been plenty of work for anyone interested in the film and movie industry,” he said.
Nunez first started acting as a child. His first role was that of King Midas. He later performed with the Royal Hanneford Circus for a number of years.
According to Nunez, his imposing size also has helped him to land work.
“Yes, my size has helped me beyond question. I am 6-foot-6, 265 lbs. at the moment,” he said. “My grandfather was a professional pitcher with the N.Y. Yankees (Walter ‘Jumbo’ Brown). During his time, he was the biggest player in the American League. I credit him with my size.”
Aside from his size, another thing that makes Nunez stand out is his You Tube account, which he regularly updates with information about his current movie work — or life in general. Nunez said he created the You Tube account after an investigative report he did involving MySpace made national news.
“My experiences at You Tube have not been a fun or easy ride,” he said. “I am, in fact, the most suspended user ever at You Tube.”
The first time I heard of Nunez was when I viewed one of his videos at You Tube pertaining to his experience on the set of the movie “Dead of Night” this past spring. Kevin Munroe (the movie’s director) and Brandon Routh (the star of the movie) both made appearances in Nunez’s final video about his time on the set.
Nunez had two roles in the movie: one as a ghoul bodyguard and the other as a fill in for the main killer — a tattooed zombie. Casey reported on a fan-based website — “Getting into the tattoo zombie suit took KY-Jelly applied to my arms and upper body as two men squeezed me into the suit.”
Movie work is not always glamorous — especially for stand-ins, extras and bit players. However, shortly after he finished his stint on “Dead of Night,” Casey worked as a stand-in for Dolph Lundgren in the movie “The Expendables,” starring Sylvester Stallone.
Nunez, right, with actor Dan Aykroyd.
If you follow Nunez on Twitter, you will notice Casey meets a lot of actors while doing his tours around New Orleans. The tour business has been a good way of landing movie jobs.
“My tours have, in fact, landed me on shows such as TLC’s ‘Little People Big World’ and also MTV’s ‘How’s Your News,'” he said.
For the most part, he said, extras are treated very well. The most trying part is waiting to go on set, while “the best part, by far, is the great food they feed everyone.”
When asked if there were any actors or directors he would particularly like to work with in the future, he answered: “Both Kevin Munroe and Brandon Routh. They really made the shoot a truly fun experience.”
And his favorite memory has been meeting a certain athlete.
“Being that I am a huge fan of the UFC,” he recalled, “meeting and having a one-on-one sit down lunch with Randy Couture was beyond question the highlight for me.”
When asked where he was hoping to go in the business, whether he had dreams of seeing his name in lights or if he found the work he is currently doing satisfying, his response was surprising.
“I was just offered the part of stand-in for ‘The Big Show’ in a WWE home DVD movie starting next week, but the truth is, I am not too sure I would want a life of cameras flashing in my face as I try to enjoy a simple walk down the street,” he said. “That in mind, I am content with simply allowing the chips to fall where they may, but no, I am not someone hoping or even looking for a career in movies.”
From left, Dolph Lundgren, Casey Nunez and Sylvester Stallone on the set of "The Expendables
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A really great read! Mr. Nunez sounds like he has a very interesting life.
Thank You so much This was Great!
Good piece. Living in Houston, I’ve heard this about New Orleans lots of times. Houston, I think, is in fact, a little envious and there’s been talk of turning the Astro Dome into a movie studio and of trying to lure movie productions with tax incentives and so forth. Anyway, neat article. Cool pictures too.
“A really great read! Mr. Nunez sounds like he has a very interesting life.”
Indeed! Very interesting read as well. Thanks for the interview.
Hell yea! I love Casey Nunez! Hes one of my favorite actors. Keep up the good work!
What an interesting interview. Glad to hear New Orleans is doing so well in the film business. That area has had such a rough time since the storms.
I liked this story. It’s good to see pieces on all kinds of actors.
…way to go bro!
Hey Casey~
Wanted to stop by to read this interview and wish you the best that life has to offer you. My brother is a actor out in Monrovia Ca who does bit parts and a few gig on the playboy channel of course back in the day he was busy on Golden Girls and Coach now there aren’t to many calls for 52 year old bald overweight guys shhhh don’t let my brother hear that ha ha yeah such is life as a stand in or bit part actor oh the food they give you is killer rightious dude!!! Laterz~Lin
you are the man
Great!!! I love it. Stay positive my friend. Rosa loves ya.
Thanks For The Comments and whatever you do Watch for Dead Of Night! Sure To Be The Best Comic Book Movie of 2010!
casey nunez.the legend.
My Other Youtube Channel was Suspended After I Uploaded a Video Showing The Amount Of Perfectly good Food that is Thrown away In This Country.
My New Channel Is http://www.youtube.com/user/HistoryTours
On second Thought Casey Has Come To Realize That youtube Really Is Not for Me.
You Can Find Me At FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/NewOrleansTours
Awesome!
Hi this is Casey Nunez I accidentally deleted my twitter account NewOrleansTours My New Twitter Is NewOrleansTour
Thanks
Casey
CASEY NUNEZ HAS ALL THE QUALITIES REQUIRED AND THE BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE TO MAKE IT AS AN ACTOR IN THE MOVIES AND I AM SURE IF WANTS TO DO THAT F.T. HE WILL HAVE NO PROBLEMS WAHTSOEVER. I THINK HE SHOULD.. JUST SAYIN!
RIGHT ON CASEY ….KAOS
Very interesting article. The guy seems like a legend in the making.
very interesting read bro,enjoyed and understood 🙂
don’t forget casey can now be found on http://www.youtube.com/user/HistoryTours 🙂
Hey guys,
Just a head’s up — I will be doing what should be an incredible twist to youtube where my viewers choose the shoot: http://www.youtube.com/user/realneworleans
I hope to see you there and dont forget to subscribe.
its amazing you find on the internet everybody is a freind in the world some i dont know yet, this internet lets everyone meet new people everyday