Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirpatrick McCauley.
Hi Kirpatrick, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
It started off with a dream and one-way ticket.
Okay, so I’m originally from Grand Rapids, MI. My mom moved us to Mississippi to start life over, and so on. My first job was working at McDonald’s 16 years old, and I was making 5.50 and hour. I didn’t like how my life was going, so I ran away without telling anyone, back home to Michigan on a Greyhound bus to live with my dad. I got into school and then went off to a junior college in Chicago, IL, which happened to be the same school as Jennifer Hudson, called Kennedy King College; student Athlete, and I worked at the United Center as an usher for the live events. Lived there for a few years, then went back home to MI.
I was working at a restaurant called Bob Evans, washing dishes and bussing tables. On a random night in May 2009, I had a dream that I made it in everything I wanted to accomplish, including basketball out in Los Angeles. So, the very next day, I quit my job and saw that I only had 250.00 dollars to my name. Went online and bought a one-way ticket, Southwest Airlines to California. First time ever flying and my very first time going to the city of angels. My basketball was my carry-on. Found living temporarily and got myself enrolled at Santa Monica College. Student-Athlete and Business/Marketing was my AA. I ended up going through tough times being out here alone while dating a celebrity daughter and living in Hollywood, but I didn’t give up. I had odd retail jobs at Journey’s shoe store & Abercrombie & Fitch as a salesperson and model working on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, including security jobs working for AEG. Even driving for Lyft & Uber at one point. Basketball is my true passion, so I continued to play at parks and gyms, sneaking into major colleges like USC/UCLA just to keep my game tight cause I knew they had top elite equipment and getting asked to play in the pro-am basketball leagues with top NBA, college and overseas players throughout the city. I eventually made history at Venice Beach by touching the top of the backboard on a basketball goal at 13 feet. I did that twice, actually, and it went viral, which helped get my name out there worldwide. Playing ball at that beach also got me to book my first national commercial as Kobe Bryant’s stunt double. After that, I started booking more commercials, gigs, and ads online print and ended up becoming a professional Actor and turning pro in basketball. I was in the NBA G LEAGUE draft at one point. I’ve played in celebrity basketball games with TV personnel police departments and, given back to neighborhoods, and spoken to children at career day. The first film I got credit for was SHEBALL with Chris Brown and Nick Cannon. I won a sweepstakes with Nike and got flew out to NYC to be around NBA players and to play in a tournament in Brooklyn, which opened the door in future bookings with major athletic brands. In total, I’ve been out in LA 15 years in May 2024; been through a lot of ups and downs. Lived all over Los Angeles, from sleeping in shelters, cars, parking structures, stairwells in buildings to hotels, mansions in Beverly Hills. It all kept me humble and to stay focused on my dream, and to have perseverance. I still play basketball on a professional level and actively act as well, mainly doing commercials on and off camera. I train kids in athletics when it’s needed and also won games as a coach on an AAU level. I’m viral on multiple SoCal media platforms for making calls during a pickup game. Digital creating is another thing I do in the midst of pursuing sports dreams and acting/commercial industry. Self-employed Actor/Athlete is my field of study currently. I’ve even spoken on the news about city taxes and celebrities giving back positively.
It’s a whole lot more in the midst of this, but I guess we can start here briefly, lol
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A few struggles having to find places to live, not having money to eat… Couldn’t find work at all, going homeless. Family not really helping out. Living in unfamiliar areas throughout the city. Having to depend on government assistance at one point. Got into small legal issue with college teammates. To friends of 10 plus years using my name to be around big time personally, for their personal selfish reasons and stealing money from me that I earned to kicking me while I was down living under their horrible circumstances and conditions.
At one point I wasn’t booking any commercials nor going on any auditions. That was very hard for me to understand and adjust to.
I’ve got 5 security guards called on me for minding my own business and being a great basketball player at UCLA practice gym. Just a guy trying to get better and make it with being around the right people
I had a few injuries as well that I overcame.
One major challenge was recently coming back after being stabbed multiple times by a person I never seen in my life over a basketball game, that’s for sure the biggest obstacle I experienced living here.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for basketball. I’ve played on every level: high school, college, and pro. I’ve been seen in videos online and television worldwide, mainly for sports.
I’m a SAGAFTRA actor as well. I book TV commercials, on and off camera, plus stunt doubles, and have been in one movie. Internet personality for inspiration purposes and to inspire.
I’ve modeled apparel for Burberry and Neiman Marcus, athletic brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc., and custom clothing lines.
I’m proud I made it in my profession, but still not giving up cause it’s things I still want to accomplish like officially sign to an NBA team.
Touching the top of the backboard was big and set me apart from other cause no one else on film or in the world did it. Plus, it was a big myth until I made history and actually did it. I’m proud of that cause I didn’t know I could jump that high in the air. I didn’t seek to go out and it do it, it just happened on a random day at Venice Beach during a celebrity basketball game to the top contest. I ended up on big platforms like BallIsLife, MediaTakeOut, Getty Images, etc. Plus, it was motivation for upcoming athletes in all sports that you can do anything if you train and believe in the work you’ve put in.
Even though I did train hard for personal reasons and to stay in top shape. Running the hills in Hollywood to Running the sand at Santa Monica Beach which I still do till this day.
I’m also proud of working with my favorite basketball player, Kobe Bryant, before his passing. We did the number commercial called Call Of Duty Black Ops I was his stunt double. Thats what really motivates me to keep going and always telling myself you can make it. Favorite basketball player, favorite video game in one can’t beat it.
Self Employed Actor, Athlete, Model, Trainer is like my field of study.
I’ve worked with Major Director like
Joe Pytka & Rupert Sanders Film director
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Seeing a smile on other people’s faces but not wanting the credit. I know what I do in life is bigger than me, and it’s to help out as many people as I can while I’m on this journey. Going for dreams and goals knowing you’ll have the opportunity to take care of others along with close family and friends. Helping better the areas with poverty, visiting kids in hospitals, and being a helpful hand in any way possible makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballinkp?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Twitter: https://x.com/BallinKP8?t=dhAWl65nDO9-78qoUChOPA&s=09
Image Credits
Drew League
Lavonte Cranford
