Kurt Yaeger
Encyclopedia
Kurt Yaeger is an American actor, model, director, professional athlete and a below-the-knee amputee.
area.
Yaeger's first acting experience began by being cast in his church's play about the birth of Christ. Upon seeing the crowded theater he promptly sat down on his hands and refused to go on stage. The show went on without him.
Yaeger later found himself in the midst of the BMX
culture and gaining the nickname Crowbar. He acquired sponsors, went on tours and competed in events. During an interesting chain of events he auditioned for a Nickelodeon
/Clear Channel Communications
live tour based on the popular cartoon show Rocket Power
. What was thought to be an acting role, he was actually trying out for an athletic/stunt role. Landing the part and upon the first day of rehearsals the Director found out that his BMX talent was at professional level and incorporated it into the show. The show briefly toured the U.S. Midwest in spring 2002, before being canceled over low ticket sales. It had originally been scheduled to tour about 40 cities all over the U.S., all the way into the fall. Eventually injuries were starting to take their toll and he decided to go back to college to pursue a Masters Degree in Hydrogeology
. While attending school he was in a motorcycle accident which permanently altered the course of Yaeger's life.
His left leg was amputated, his right Anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) and Medial collateral ligament
(MCL) were torn, his pelvis was torn in half along with his bladder, seven vertebra were broken, his lungs collapsed, his ribs broken and a severe concussion. One year later Yaeger made a full recovery. He has now dedicated himself to his passion, film.
in October 2009. Some of his recent work includes Dolphin Tale with Morgan Freeman
, Ashley Judd
and Harry Connick, Jr.
, Knife Fight with Rob Lowe
, War Flowers with Christina Ricci
, Tom Berenger
and Jason Gedrick
and the Syfy
feature film Piranhaconda
with Michael Madsen
.
Along with his business partner Josh Gillick, Yaeger created the production company ArtistFilm. It has produced 9 short films and one feature, Sedona's Rule, distributed by Green Apple Entertainment, Inc.. They are currently working on several features in the early pre-production stages and a reality TV project which has been optioned. Yaeger is also involved with the SAG
- Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AEA
- Actors' Equity Association Tri-Union global disability rights campaign called IAMPWD - Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People with Disabilities. He sits as the Chairperson on the AFTRA Los Angeles Local Performers with Disabilities Committee.
Yaeger has also volunteered his time with several organizations. He has attended several Big Sunday events for the Wounded Warrior Project
which helps to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation's history. Yaeger spoke at the United Cerebral Palsy
of NYC event called Women Who Care, and shared the stage with Ivanka Trump
, Michelle Bachelet
- the former president of Chile
and many others.
. He is currently the number one Adaptive BMXer in the world and participated in X Games 16 and X Games 17.
Yaeger was showcased along with other adaptive athletes thanks to Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit organization promoting Action Sports camps, events and programs for youth and young adults living with permanent physical disabilities.
supplied the shoes which allowed for an expanded experimentation with the new magnetic pedal from Proton Locks. After figuring out how to stay on the pedals Solid Bikes and Odyssey
components came together to help him with a new bike. The last obstacle was to figure out how to keep his knee from hyper-extending from the repeated impact pressures, so he turned to CTi
who built him a custom knee brace for his prosthetic leg. His other current sponsors include, Freestyle Watches, Stussy
, Bern Helmets, Alpine Stars, Challenged Athletes Foundation
and FOX
.
Yaeger has also become one of the owners of ProTonLocks, Inc. A company which makes magnetic pedals for all bicycle applications, bmx, mountain biking, road biking and recumbent. It especially helps him and other amputee bike riders to control the bike in a safe and secure manner.
Early Life
Kurt Yaeger was born in San Francisco, California on January 3, 1977 and was raised in South San Francisco. He currently resides in the Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area.
Yaeger's first acting experience began by being cast in his church's play about the birth of Christ. Upon seeing the crowded theater he promptly sat down on his hands and refused to go on stage. The show went on without him.
Yaeger later found himself in the midst of the BMX
BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
culture and gaining the nickname Crowbar. He acquired sponsors, went on tours and competed in events. During an interesting chain of events he auditioned for a Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is a US cable TV channel.Nickelodeon may also refer to:-In television:*Spinoffs of the Nickelodeon channel:** Nickelodeon Magazine, a children's magazine.** Nickelodeon Universe, an amusement park....
/Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
live tour based on the popular cartoon show Rocket Power
Rocket Power
Rocket Power is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon.-Premise:Rocket Power involves the daily situations of a group of best friends named Oswald "Otto" Rocket, Regina "Reggie" Rocket, Maurice "Twister" Rodriguez, and Sam "Squid" Dullard, as they live in the fictional...
. What was thought to be an acting role, he was actually trying out for an athletic/stunt role. Landing the part and upon the first day of rehearsals the Director found out that his BMX talent was at professional level and incorporated it into the show. The show briefly toured the U.S. Midwest in spring 2002, before being canceled over low ticket sales. It had originally been scheduled to tour about 40 cities all over the U.S., all the way into the fall. Eventually injuries were starting to take their toll and he decided to go back to college to pursue a Masters Degree in Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology is the area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust, . The term geohydrology is often used interchangeably...
. While attending school he was in a motorcycle accident which permanently altered the course of Yaeger's life.
His left leg was amputated, his right Anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
(ACL) and Medial collateral ligament
Medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament of the knee is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. It is also known as the tibial collateral ligament, or abbreviated as the MCL.- Structure :It is a broad, flat, membranous band,...
(MCL) were torn, his pelvis was torn in half along with his bladder, seven vertebra were broken, his lungs collapsed, his ribs broken and a severe concussion. One year later Yaeger made a full recovery. He has now dedicated himself to his passion, film.
Career
Yaeger started taking acting courses and instantly began acquiring role after role. He hit his stride starring in Michael Anderson's: Tenderloin, a story about the troubles and tribulations of one of the most infamous neighborhoods in San Francisco. The film premiered at the Mill Valley Film FestivalMill Valley Film Festival
The Mill Valley Film Festival is an annual, non-competitive film festival presented by the California Film Institute. Known as a filmmakers’ festival, the annual Mill Valley Film Festival offers a non-competitive environment for exhibiting independent and world cinema.Founded in 1978 by MVFF...
in October 2009. Some of his recent work includes Dolphin Tale with Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, aviator and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won...
, Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd is an American television and film actress, who has played lead roles in films including Ruby in Paradise, Kiss the Girls, Double Jeopardy, Where the Heart Is and High Crimes...
and Harry Connick, Jr.
Harry Connick, Jr.
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
, Knife Fight with Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe
Robert Hepler "Rob" Lowe is an American actor. Lowe came to prominence after appearing in films such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night..., St. Elmo's Fire, and Wayne's World. On television, Lowe is known for his role as Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and his role as Senator Robert...
, War Flowers with Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci
Christina Ricci is an American actress. Ricci received initial recognition and praise as a child star for her performance as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values , and her role as Kat Harvey in Casper...
, Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger
Tom Berenger is an American actor known mainly for his roles in action films.-Early life:Berenger was born as Thomas Michael Moore in Chicago to an Irish Catholic family. Berenger's father was a printer for the Chicago Sun-Times. Berenger has a sister, Susan...
and Jason Gedrick
Jason Gedrick
Jason Gedrick is an American actor best known for his work on the television series Murder One and Boomtown and the motion picture Iron Eagle....
and the Syfy
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
feature film Piranhaconda
Piranhaconda
Piranhaconda is an upcoming film by Syfy. It is set to be released on December 15, 2011.-Cast:* Rib Hillis ... Jack* Rachel Hunter ... Talia* Terri Ivens ... Rose* Shandi Finnessey ... Kimmy* Diana Terranova ... Jamie...
with Michael Madsen
Michael Madsen
Michael Søren Madsen is an American actor, poet, and photographer. He has appeared in more than 150 films, most of them small independent films, though he has starred in central roles in such films as Reservoir Dogs, Free Willy, Donnie Brasco, and Kill Bill, in addition to a supporting role in Sin...
.
Along with his business partner Josh Gillick, Yaeger created the production company ArtistFilm. It has produced 9 short films and one feature, Sedona's Rule, distributed by Green Apple Entertainment, Inc.. They are currently working on several features in the early pre-production stages and a reality TV project which has been optioned. Yaeger is also involved with the SAG
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
- Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AEA
AEA
-Companies:* AEA Investors, one of the oldest private equity firms in the United States* AEA Technology, a British company mainly specialising in environmental consulting* Audio Engineering Associates, a US company specializing in ribbon microphones...
- Actors' Equity Association Tri-Union global disability rights campaign called IAMPWD - Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People with Disabilities. He sits as the Chairperson on the AFTRA Los Angeles Local Performers with Disabilities Committee.
Yaeger has also volunteered his time with several organizations. He has attended several Big Sunday events for the Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "honor and empower wounded warriors" of the United States Armed Forces...
which helps to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation's history. Yaeger spoke at the United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy is an international nonprofit charitable organization consisting of a network of affiliates. UCP is a leading service provider and advocate for adults and children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy...
of NYC event called Women Who Care, and shared the stage with Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Marie Trump is an American businesswoman, socialite, heiress, and fashion model. The daughter of Ivana and Donald Trump, she is Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at The Trump Organization...
, Michelle Bachelet
Michelle Bachelet
Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria is a Social Democrat politician who was President of Chile from 11 March 2006 to 11 March 2010. She was the first woman president of her country...
- the former president of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and many others.
Sports & Affiliations
His comeback came not long after in the Extreme Sports genre of BMXBMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
. He is currently the number one Adaptive BMXer in the world and participated in X Games 16 and X Games 17.
Yaeger was showcased along with other adaptive athletes thanks to Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit organization promoting Action Sports camps, events and programs for youth and young adults living with permanent physical disabilities.
BMX Sponsors
When Yaeger first began training again Etnies immediately got behind him and what he was trying to accomplish. EtniesEtnies
thumb|Picture of an etnies shoeEtnies is an American footwear brand based in Lake Forest, California, and owned by Sole Technology, Inc. In 2003, etnies, along with the city of Lake Forest, California opened etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest, the largest public skatepark in the state, with over of...
supplied the shoes which allowed for an expanded experimentation with the new magnetic pedal from Proton Locks. After figuring out how to stay on the pedals Solid Bikes and Odyssey
Odyssey BMX
Odyssey BMX is a bicycle parts company based in Cerritos California specialising in BMX. Founded in 1985, one of its first products was the Gyro detangler, which is still in production today...
components came together to help him with a new bike. The last obstacle was to figure out how to keep his knee from hyper-extending from the repeated impact pressures, so he turned to CTi
Ossur
Össur is a company making non-invasive orthopaedics. It makes and sells bracing and support products, compression therapy, and prosthetics. The company’s headquarters are in Reykjavík, Iceland. The company also has extensive operations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with numerous distributors...
who built him a custom knee brace for his prosthetic leg. His other current sponsors include, Freestyle Watches, Stussy
Stussy
Stussy, or Stüssy , is a clothing brand and private company started in the early 1980s by Shawn Stussy. The company is one of many that benefited from the surfwear trend originating in Orange County, California, United States but has largely been adopted by the streetwear and hip-hop...
, Bern Helmets, Alpine Stars, Challenged Athletes Foundation
Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation is an organization that provides grants for training, competition and equipment needs to people with disabilities.- History :The Challenged Athletes Foundation was founded in 1997....
and FOX
Fox Racing
Fox Head, Inc. is privately owned action sports brand founded in 1974. Fox designs, develops and distributes clothing and accessories to over fifty countries primarily focusing on off-road motorized biking.- History :...
.
Yaeger has also become one of the owners of ProTonLocks, Inc. A company which makes magnetic pedals for all bicycle applications, bmx, mountain biking, road biking and recumbent. It especially helps him and other amputee bike riders to control the bike in a safe and secure manner.
Filmography
- PiranhacondaPiranhacondaPiranhaconda is an upcoming film by Syfy. It is set to be released on December 15, 2011.-Cast:* Rib Hillis ... Jack* Rachel Hunter ... Talia* Terri Ivens ... Rose* Shandi Finnessey ... Kimmy* Diana Terranova ... Jamie...
(2011) - Dolphin Tale (2011)
- War Flowers (2011)
- Camel Spiders (2011)
- The PodThe Pod* "The Stallion " was not listed on the covers of original Shimmy Disc releases, although the song is present as track #5.-Liner notes:From the Shimmy-Disc CD:-Personnel:* Dean Ween - Guitar, Vocals, Engineer...
(2011) - Sedona's Rule (2010)
- The Real DealThe Real DealThe Real Deal is a 1982 album released by The Isley Brothers, the album is notable for the group's decision to alter their trademark funk rock sound in the 1970s with the then-current early 1980s electro funk scene dominated by Rick James, Prince, Zapp and The Gap Band.-Background:Following the...
- Video (2009) - Every Other Week - Short (2009)
- The Tenderloin (2009)
- The Hell PatrolThe Hell PatrolThe Hell Patrol is an American horror film, dealing with the zombie apocalypse and its survivors. It was released in September 2009, premiering at the Revenant Film Festival in Seattle, Washington. It has garnered other selections to festivals including The Big Bear Horror Film Festival, The...
(2009) - Asshole of the West - Short (2008)
- Charlie Wilson's WarCharlie Wilson's WarCharlie Wilson's War is a 2007 American biographical comedy drama film recounting the true story of U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson who partnered with "bare knuckle attitude" CIA operative Gust Avrakotos to launch Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and support the Afghan mujahideen in their...
(2007) - The Lost Coast (2007)
Television
- The Bold and The BeautifulThe Bold and the BeautifulThe Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
- TV Series (2010) - General HospitalGeneral HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
- TV Series (2010) - Without a TraceWithout a TraceWithout a Trace is an American television drama which originally ran on CBS from September 26, 2002 to May 19, 2009. The series was set in New York City and concerned a fictitious FBI Missing Persons Unit.-Premise:...
- TV Series (2008) - The World's Astonishing NewsThe world's astonishing newsThe World's Astonishing News began airing in 2002. The majority of the episodes are produced by Sean Traynor, E. Paul Dimartino Jr., and directed by either Yuki Gouroku, Shunsuke Morita, or Naoko Yamada...
- TV Series (2007) - Rocket PowerRocket PowerRocket Power is an American animated television series that aired on Nickelodeon.-Premise:Rocket Power involves the daily situations of a group of best friends named Oswald "Otto" Rocket, Regina "Reggie" Rocket, Maurice "Twister" Rodriguez, and Sam "Squid" Dullard, as they live in the fictional...
- Live Tour (2002) - Appeared in many television commercials including: California Tourism, TD AmeritradeTD AmeritradeTD Ameritrade is an American online broker with over 6 million U.S. customers, and many more internationally, that has grown rapidly through acquisition to become the 746th-largest US firm in 2008. TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation is the owner of TD Ameritrade Inc...
, Applebee'sApplebee'sApplebee’s International, Inc., is an American company which develops, franchises, and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. As of September 2011, there were 2,010 restaurants operating system-wide in the United States, one U.S. territory and 14 other countries...
, Toyota, Dave and Busters, AT&TAT&TAT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, Kaiser PermanenteKaiser PermanenteKaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, United States, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney Garfield...
, Texas Health Care, Coors LightCoors LightCoors Light is a light beer produced by the Coors Brewing Company. It was first produced in 1978.The beer has a "Cold Certified" label which turns the mountains on the label from white to blue when the beer's temperature is lowered to 4 degrees Celsius .- Promotions :In 2008, Coors Light became...
and more.
Misc.
- Porn for Women. A humor or "spoof book", calendar and confectionary cards.
External links
- Official Website
- Kurt at Amputees in Hollywood
- Athletic Reel at Vimeo
- ProTonLocks - Iller Enterprises L.L.C
- ArtistFilm