Brandon Hardesty
Encyclopedia
Brandon Allan Hardesty (born April 13, 1987) is an American comedic performer and actor. Hardesty posts original comedy videos as well as "uncanny" recreations of scenes from movies, playing every part himself, excluding a few of his projects, such as his Little Rascals and the original Batman
movie. The Village Voice writer Julian Dibbell
has called his works "Web culture at its finest."
s in addition to teaching music and directing the church choir. Hardesty's parents described him as sweet-natured, funny, and introverted. His parents withdrew him from his small Christian elementary school in second grade, fearing that the attending was too rigid for their son. Instead, he was home-schooled until middle school.
While at Baltimore Lutheran School
, a teacher convinced Hardesty into acting in the school's theater productions, though he was too self-conscious to allow his family to attend his performances. He practiced his social skills while working as a cashier at Weis Markets, a nearby grocery store where he worked on weekends and after school.
In college, Brandon majored in film, while making YouTube videos on the side. After attracting attention with his video, Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make III, a producer, Edwin Marshall, expressed interest in professionally representing Brandon. The same video got national attention from a popular Geico commercial in 2007 and 2008. In late 2007, Brandon auditioned for a role in the independent film Bart Got a Room
. Shortly thereafter, Beverly Strong of Strong Management took over as Brandon's manager, and represents him to this day, along with Nic De Armendi of Polaris Entertainment. In early 2008, Brandon signed with the Endeavor Talent Agency (now WME Entertainment). Brandon currently resides in Baltimore Maryland.
, originally portrayed by R. Lee Ermey
. Another popular series is Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make, in which he demonstrates the strange faces and noises he can make. He has parodied the Internet sensation "2 Girls 1 Cup" with "1 guy 1 lunchable".
To date, Hardesty has had seven of his videos featured on the front page of YouTube: his reenactment of a scene from The Princess Bride
, his reenactment of a scene from Uncle Buck
, a video dubbed "Three Impressions" which features three of Brandon's celebrity impersonations, his "Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make III" video, which has had over 4 million views, a video entitled "The 30-Second Video," a video called "Request a Reenactment for YouTube Live," and a video called "Movies on YouTube? Huzzah!"
In April 2007, Geico
Auto Insurance used "Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make III" in their television commercial. After a portion of the video plays, apparently on a computer screen, a narrator says, "There may be better ways to spend 15 minutes online." Hardesty's Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make video was parodied in the MTV sketch show Human Giant
. In the sketch, Aziz Ansari
portrayed a character who made a similar funny faces video like Hardesty's.
In November 2008, Brandon participated in YouTube's first live show: YouTube Live
. He asked his fans to request a scene for him to reenact, promising that the #1 most requested scene would air on YouTube Live. It ended up being a popular scene from The Dark Knight
, and received over 150,000 views on YouTube in the first week. Brandon was also interviewed briefly by fellow YouTuber, William Sledd
.
, released in 2008. Actors in the film include Steven Kaplan (Danny), William H. Macy
, Cheryl Hines
, Alia Shawkat
, and Chad Jamian Williams as Bart. This marks the third known occasion in which a YouTube user has made a direct transition into film acting, the first being Naathan Phan
(a.k.a. SungHero) and second being Cory Williams
(a.k.a. Mr. Safety from SMP Films).
In February 2008, Brandon was featured on five episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in which he reenacted a scene from all of the movies nominated for Best Picture in the 80th Academy Awards
.
In March 2008, Brandon announced in a YouTube video that he had signed with the Endeavor Talent Agency.
In June 2008, Brandon announced on his official website that he was cast for a role in the film Kid Cannabis, which was originally set to film in August 2008, but has since been put on hold until further notice. The film is being directed by John Stockwell
, who also adapted and directed Blue Crush
in 2002.
In October 2008, Brandon acted in the Christian-funded indie film The Bill Collector
. The film does not yet have a release date.
In March 2009, Brandon announced on his blog that he had been cast for a lead role in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, the seventh installment in the American Pie film series.
During the filming of Book of Love, Brandon got a small part in the 2011 film Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star, written and produced by Adam Sandler
, Allen Covert
, and comedian Nick Swardson
.
Hardesty is slated to appear in the comedy series, Livin' On A Prayer, which is now in pre-production.
Hardesty released a vlog stating he has been attending an acting workshop and auditioning for various roles. He has received a callback for an untitled project.
Batman (1989 film)
Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
movie. The Village Voice writer Julian Dibbell
Julian Dibbell
Julian Dibbell is an American author and technology journalist with a particular interest in social systems within online communities. His 1993 article "A Rape in Cyberspace" detailed attempts of LambdaMOO, an online community, to quantify and deal with lawbreaking in its midst. The article was...
has called his works "Web culture at its finest."
Personal life
Brandon Hardesty was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the youngest child in the family. Hardesty's mother collected silly hats and placed a suit of armor in the dining room "just for fun"; his father wrote jingleJingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
s in addition to teaching music and directing the church choir. Hardesty's parents described him as sweet-natured, funny, and introverted. His parents withdrew him from his small Christian elementary school in second grade, fearing that the attending was too rigid for their son. Instead, he was home-schooled until middle school.
While at Baltimore Lutheran School
Baltimore Lutheran School
Baltimore Lutheran School is a co-educational parochial secondary school serving grades 6-12. Baltimore Lutheran School is located in Towson, Maryland, United States. BLS is operated by the Baltimore Lutheran High School Association, Inc., an association of Lutheran churches in the Baltimore...
, a teacher convinced Hardesty into acting in the school's theater productions, though he was too self-conscious to allow his family to attend his performances. He practiced his social skills while working as a cashier at Weis Markets, a nearby grocery store where he worked on weekends and after school.
In college, Brandon majored in film, while making YouTube videos on the side. After attracting attention with his video, Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make III, a producer, Edwin Marshall, expressed interest in professionally representing Brandon. The same video got national attention from a popular Geico commercial in 2007 and 2008. In late 2007, Brandon auditioned for a role in the independent film Bart Got a Room
Bart Got a Room
Bart Got a Room is a 2009 comedy film written and directed by Brian Hecker, and stars Steven Kaplan, Alia Shawkat, William H. Macy, and Cheryl Hines. Also appearing in the film are Ashley Benson, Brandon Hardesty, Kate Micucci, Jennifer Tilly, Dinah Manoff and Chad Jamian Williams as Bart. The film...
. Shortly thereafter, Beverly Strong of Strong Management took over as Brandon's manager, and represents him to this day, along with Nic De Armendi of Polaris Entertainment. In early 2008, Brandon signed with the Endeavor Talent Agency (now WME Entertainment). Brandon currently resides in Baltimore Maryland.
YouTube
On YouTube, Hardesty goes by the username "ArtieTSMITW," which is an abbreviation for "Artie: The Strongest Man in the World," a character from one of his favorite childhood shows, The Adventures of Pete and Pete. His most popular videos are his Re-enactment videos, in which he chooses a movie scene, and re-enacts it, playing all the characters. One of his most popular and strikingly real performances is the drill instructor from Full Metal JacketFull Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 war film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. It is an adaptation of the 1979 novel The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford and stars Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey, Arliss Howard and Adam Baldwin. The film follows a platoon of U.S...
, originally portrayed by R. Lee Ermey
R. Lee Ermey
Ronald Lee Ermey is a retired United States Marine Corps drill instructor and actor.Ermey has often played the roles of authority figures, such as his breakout performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket, Mayor Tilman in the Alan Parker film Mississippi Burning, Bill Bowerman in...
. Another popular series is Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make, in which he demonstrates the strange faces and noises he can make. He has parodied the Internet sensation "2 Girls 1 Cup" with "1 guy 1 lunchable".
To date, Hardesty has had seven of his videos featured on the front page of YouTube: his reenactment of a scene from The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is a 1973 fantasy novel written by William Goldman. It was originally published in the United States by Harcourt Brace, while in the UK it is/was published by Bloomsbury Publishing....
, his reenactment of a scene from Uncle Buck
Uncle Buck
Uncle Buck is a 1989 John Hughes comedy film starring John Candy, Amy Madigan, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby Hoffman, and Macaulay Culkin, and co-stars Jay Underwood and Laurie Metcalf.-Plot:Bob Russell Uncle Buck is a 1989 John Hughes comedy film starring John Candy, Amy Madigan, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby...
, a video dubbed "Three Impressions" which features three of Brandon's celebrity impersonations, his "Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make III" video, which has had over 4 million views, a video entitled "The 30-Second Video," a video called "Request a Reenactment for YouTube Live," and a video called "Movies on YouTube? Huzzah!"
In April 2007, Geico
GEICO
The Government Employees Insurance Company is an auto insurance company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway that as of 2007 provided coverage for more than 10 million motor vehicles owned by more than 9 million policy holders. GEICO writes private passenger automobile insurance...
Auto Insurance used "Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make III" in their television commercial. After a portion of the video plays, apparently on a computer screen, a narrator says, "There may be better ways to spend 15 minutes online." Hardesty's Strange Faces and Noises I Can Make video was parodied in the MTV sketch show Human Giant
Human Giant
Human Giant is a sketch comedy show on MTV, starring writer/performers Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer and directed primarily by Jason Woliner.The show has completed two seasons. The status of a third season is unknown...
. In the sketch, Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari is an American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. He currently stars as Tom Haverford on the NBC show Parks and Recreation....
portrayed a character who made a similar funny faces video like Hardesty's.
In November 2008, Brandon participated in YouTube's first live show: YouTube Live
YouTube Live
YouTube Live was a 2008 event streamed live on the Internet from San Francisco and Tokyo. It was hosted by a variety of YouTube celebrities, including The Black Eyed Peas rapper will.i.am, Tom Dickson of Will It Blend, Michael Buckley, The Happy Tree Friends, Fred, Smosh, Esmée Denters and singer...
. He asked his fans to request a scene for him to reenact, promising that the #1 most requested scene would air on YouTube Live. It ended up being a popular scene from The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight (film)
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
, and received over 150,000 views on YouTube in the first week. Brandon was also interviewed briefly by fellow YouTuber, William Sledd
William Sledd
William L Sledd is a YouTube internet celebrity, made famous by his online videos and blogs, which include the popular "Ask A Gay Man" series...
.
Acting career
Hardesty was contracted to play a supporting role in the independent film Bart Got a RoomBart Got a Room
Bart Got a Room is a 2009 comedy film written and directed by Brian Hecker, and stars Steven Kaplan, Alia Shawkat, William H. Macy, and Cheryl Hines. Also appearing in the film are Ashley Benson, Brandon Hardesty, Kate Micucci, Jennifer Tilly, Dinah Manoff and Chad Jamian Williams as Bart. The film...
, released in 2008. Actors in the film include Steven Kaplan (Danny), William H. Macy
William H. Macy
William Hall Macy, Jr. is an American actor and writer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo. He is also a teacher and director in theater, film and television. His film career has been built mostly on his appearances in small, independent films, though...
, Cheryl Hines
Cheryl Hines
Cheryl Ruth Hines is an American actress and director, known for her role as Larry David's wife Cheryl on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. She currently appears on the ABC sitcom Suburgatory...
, Alia Shawkat
Alia Shawkat
Alia Martine Shawkat is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Maeby Fünke in the Fox series Arrested Development.- Personal life :...
, and Chad Jamian Williams as Bart. This marks the third known occasion in which a YouTube user has made a direct transition into film acting, the first being Naathan Phan
Naathan Phan
Naathan Phan is an American actor and Internet personality. He had a small role as a party-going teenager in the 2007 comedy film Superbad and he also played a driver's ed student in Reno 911!, among other television, film, and stage roles.In April 2007, Naathan Phan joined the national tour of...
(a.k.a. SungHero) and second being Cory Williams
Cory Williams
Cory Williams , also known as "Mr. Safety" from SMP Films, is an actor and YouTube personality who lives in Thousand Oaks, California.-Biography:...
(a.k.a. Mr. Safety from SMP Films).
In February 2008, Brandon was featured on five episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in which he reenacted a scene from all of the movies nominated for Best Picture in the 80th Academy Awards
80th Academy Awards
The 80th Academy Awards ceremony honored the best films in 2007 and was broadcast from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California on ABC beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST/8:30 p.m. EST, February 24, 2008 . During the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Academy Awards in 24...
.
In March 2008, Brandon announced in a YouTube video that he had signed with the Endeavor Talent Agency.
In June 2008, Brandon announced on his official website that he was cast for a role in the film Kid Cannabis, which was originally set to film in August 2008, but has since been put on hold until further notice. The film is being directed by John Stockwell
John Stockwell (actor)
John Stockwell is an American actor, director, producer, writer and former model.Stockwell was born John Stockwell Samuels IV in Galveston, Texas, the son of an attorney. His first feature film as an actor came in 1981's So Fine...
, who also adapted and directed Blue Crush
Blue Crush
Blue Crush is a 2002 surfer film directed by John Stockwell and based on the Outside magazine article "Life's Swell" by Susan Orlean. Starring Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanoe Lake, and Mika Boorem, it tells the story of three friends who have one passion: living the ultimate dream of...
in 2002.
In October 2008, Brandon acted in the Christian-funded indie film The Bill Collector
The Bill Collector
The Bill Collector is a family drama film featuring Danny Trejo and written and directed by Cristobal Krusen.-Plot:Uncle Frankie is not the kind of guy you want to meet in a dark alley. Especially when you owe him money and have been giving him the slip for a few years. Such is the fate of Lorenzo...
. The film does not yet have a release date.
In March 2009, Brandon announced on his blog that he had been cast for a lead role in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, the seventh installment in the American Pie film series.
During the filming of Book of Love, Brandon got a small part in the 2011 film Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star, written and produced by Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, Allen Covert
Allen Covert
Allen Stephen Covert is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer best known for his frequent collaborations with actor Adam Sandler.-Personal life:...
, and comedian Nick Swardson
Nick Swardson
Nicholas Roger "Nick" Swardson is an American actor, stand-up comedian, and writer. He is best known for his recurring role as Terry Bernardino in the Comedy Central series Reno 911!, for his work in Happy Madison films, most notably the 2011 film Just Go With It, and for his new Comedy Central...
.
Hardesty is slated to appear in the comedy series, Livin' On A Prayer, which is now in pre-production.
Hardesty released a vlog stating he has been attending an acting workshop and auditioning for various roles. He has received a callback for an untitled project.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Bart Got a Room Bart Got a Room Bart Got a Room is a 2009 comedy film written and directed by Brian Hecker, and stars Steven Kaplan, Alia Shawkat, William H. Macy, and Cheryl Hines. Also appearing in the film are Ashley Benson, Brandon Hardesty, Kate Micucci, Jennifer Tilly, Dinah Manoff and Chad Jamian Williams as Bart. The film... |
Craig | |
| 2009 | American Pie Presents: The Book of Love | Lube | |
| 2010 | The Bill Collector The Bill Collector The Bill Collector is a family drama film featuring Danny Trejo and written and directed by Cristobal Krusen.-Plot:Uncle Frankie is not the kind of guy you want to meet in a dark alley. Especially when you owe him money and have been giving him the slip for a few years. Such is the fate of Lorenzo... |
Iggy | |
| Born to Be a Star | Lars | ||
| 2011 | Kid Cannabis | Daniel Cox | filming |