Daily Inspiration: Meet Byron Coolie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Byron Coolie.

Hi Byron, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I always loved storytelling. I always loved performing in front of people. I believe it came from my love of movies and wrestling. Professional wrestlers like Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Jeff Hardy were true inspirations to me because of the incredible in-ring styles they used to tell stories in their matches. Yeah, I wanted to be a wrestler but my obsession with wrestling transformed into a passion for acting. At the age of 16, I became an actor and have been committed to it ever since.

I have lived in ten different cities, but I was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. I was uprooted from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and have been on a journey ever since. As far as education, I graduated from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing. Later, I received my MFA in Theatre Arts from the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

After my time in Louisville, I relocated to Chicago to continue my professional acting career. Life in the Midwest was cold and brutal, but fun too. I landed a guest star role in Chicago PD and I was able to work with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Most of my family never came to my theatre shows, so I figured I’d bring my shows to them through the screen. In Chicago, I wrote 14 unproduced projects and discovered the screenwriter in me. I spent four years in the Windy City, but as great as Chicago was, my heart just wasn’t there. It was somewhere much warmer…

So in February 2021, I moved to Los Angeles not only for my acting career but my mental health. Access to the beaches, hiking, and consistent beautiful weather bring peace and joy to my spirit. I love it here! I recently began directing and starring in my own short films. Although I’m an actor by trade, I’m still looking to enjoy all the opportunities that life has to offer.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Oh no, it has not. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, my mother and I were homeless for two weeks. Before the storm came, I had just finished my first week of high school. I remember being so excited! I was 14 years-old and the sky was the limit. My braces were finally removed, girls were noticing me, I was wearing on-brand shoes (that’s a big deal in black communities). So, I was devastated for a myriad of reasons when Katrina came. I lost things I’d never take for granted again, most notably, time with my family and closest friends. Needless to say, the storm sent me on a journey I was not expecting. Sometimes, the New Orleans I knew feels like Wakanda: a paradise that feels so far away, you question how real it was. All I have are the memories of it.

I moved around a lot after that and struggled to adjust. I lost some important people along the way, strived through college and graduate school, and suffered through the “starving artist” life. Regardless, it is through God, family, and friends that I continue to love and move through all of life’s obstacles.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an actor, filmmaker, and comedian. Overall, I’m a storyteller. Most of the stories I tell are comedy/dramas centered around black youth in the projects of New Orleans. I love a good coming-of-age story.

As an actor, I work on camera and on stage. A few of my theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater and KY Shakespeare), The Toilet (Haven Theatre), and Kingdom (Broken Nose Theatre). One of the productions I am most proud of is ‘Schizophrenia’, a two man, two-act showcase I created with my best friend, Derek Graham. The show took a year to develop but had a huge payoff. For ‘Schizophrenia’, I received the Shawn T. Smith Award for best characterization. That was pretty dope.

Although I deeply respect theatre work, my true passion lies in film acting. A few of my television credits include Chicago PD (NBC), Chicago Fire (NBC), and Smoketown (TBN). I’ve also worked on a few shorts and features since moving to Los Angeles.

I became a filmmaker because I’m passionate about it, but also out of necessity. In the film industry, most actors go through droughts. I got tired of waiting for auditions and role offers. I knew I had some good material of my own, but I grew restless waiting for the “right” film crew with high quality equipment to bring my visions to life. A story is a story, regardless of how it’s told. Therefore, I began filming, directing, and starring in my own shorts. I got started with my phone camera. So far I’ve created two short horror films: ‘Do Not Disturb’ and ‘TOBI’. I enjoy making horror films that address the mental health, trauma, and untold stories of black people. My biggest inspirations are the works of Jordan Peele and Ryan Coogler.

What do you think about happiness?

Two things: Donuts and Mortal Kombat.

In New Orleans, my grandmother worked as a maid. She cleaned huge, fancy houses in the Garden District, but I never met the people living inside. She used to take me to work with her, but on the way we’d stop at a local bakery shop called McKenzie’s. McKenzie donuts are still the best donuts I’ve ever had to this day. She’d buy one chocolate cake donut for the both of us. I remember jumping up and down eagerly, watching the baker bag the donut. On her break, she’d pull out a plate and cut the donut right down and middle. One piece for me and the other for her. With me, I always had my favorite toy, Thomas the Tank Engine, and I’d sit him right next to my donut. My grandmother is no longer with us but she’s always with me spiritually every time I have a donut. I guess I love donuts so much because I love her so much.

Mortal Kombat was the first video game my dad ever bought for me. I played it when I was four years old and dad took me to see the 1995 live-action adaptation in theatres. Later, Dad bought the VHS for me too. Although I didn’t grow up in the same house as my father, I always felt his presence when I used Liu Kang’s Bicycle Kick to beat my opponent. “FINISH HIM!”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.byroncoolie.com
• Instagram: byroncoolie8
• Facebook: bcoolie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-coolie-80343483
• Twitter: byroncoolie

Image Credits
Brooks Brantly of Brooks Brantly Photography