Rising Star Kyle More On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
Every person on a job is important. Word gets around about actors who treat crew members like garbage. It also gets around about actors who don’t.
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Kyle S. More.
LA-based actor, writer and comedian Kyle S. More captivates audiences with a standout performance in the hit Netflix film “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Kyle plays Detective Mike Woody, a Detroit cop who finds himself partnering with his idol, the legendary Axel Foley, played by Eddie Murphy. The film marks a significant milestone in More’s career, symbolizing a dream realized and a new chapter in Hollywood.
A classically trained theater actor with heavy ties to the Chicago improv scene, Kyle has been climbing the episodic character actor ranks for some time now and couldn’t be more excited to join a game changing franchise like BHC. The irony of playing a character who idolizes Axel Foley while literally riding shotgun next to one of his comedy heroes was not lost on him.
Kyle’s journey from the small towns of Kentucky and Tennessee to the bustling stages of Chicago and Hollywood is nothing short of inspiring. In Chicago, he balanced his weekdays studying theater at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and his weekends honing his comedic skills at the prestigious Second City Conservatory. At just 18, More was one of the youngest ever admitted to the conservatory, a testament to his unmistakable talent and relentless drive.
Throughout his career, More has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to master both dramatic and comedic styles. He has toured the country with improv comedy, head-written for an online sketch comedy channel boasting over 1 million followers (Reckless Comedy) and worked under comedy greats like Robert Carlock and Adam McKay. His impressive talent in serious roles is equally notable, with roles including John Hinckley in “Killing Reagan” and Bernie Fein in the “Godfather” biopic series alongside Miles Teller.
Despite facing challenges such as actor strikes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the sudden closure of his agency, A3, More’s resilience and talent have kept him in the game. His perseverance culminated in his biggest break yet as we enter a bustling summer season. For more information, please visit Kyle S. More’s IMDb page and view his acting clips on Vimeo.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Where didn’t I grow up?
My dad was a bit of a journeyman in the automotive industry so it seemed like we were picking up and heading to a new state every few years. I was born in Mississippi, spent my early years in Michigan, middle school in Tennessee, and high school in Kentucky. All this before heading to Chicago to pursue the arts. I think moving around a lot, as painful as it was, really prepared me for a life in entertainment. For one, it hardened my skin. I learned very early that big changes and big disappointments were not the end of the world. You’ll be okay. That mindset has gotten me through almost twenty years in showbiz. Having to make new friends every five years was also a skillset that I had to hone. This was before the time of social media and online games so once I got in that car in the 2nd grade, those kids I had grown up with were essentially gone. By the time I was on my own and having to navigate professional relationships, I think I had already become a pro at making fast friends and collaborators, which as we all know, is the secret to longevity in Hollywood.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I moved from Tennessee to Kentucky, I was in 8th grade. I had gone from being a very popular to being an utter nobody. Middle school is tough enough without having your entire social structure ripped out from under you and being thrown into a new one. It was really rough. The one silver lining was an elective I was taking at my new school: Drama. The teacher, Mrs. Fay, saw that I had a knack for it and encouraged me to join the Speech Team. I wasn’t a speech and debate guy but there were categories like Duo Improv and Duo Acting that were more performance based and I guess I kind of hit the ground running and won quite a few state competitions in those categories. I remember taking Monty Python’s Holy Grail Black Knight scene and transcribing it with my friend Lawrence. We did that scene instead of a traditional children’s theater scene and ended up winning State. So, yeah, that’s probably when I realized I had the acting bug.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I think the whole ride has been pretty darn interesting but one thing that I think is worth note is how relationships you form continue to play a huge role in one’s career. I acted in a web-series for an upstart youtube comedy group back in 2013, Reckless Tortuga. It was a lot of fun, but after that, we all kind of went our own way. Flash forward to 2022, I ran into the creator and we sat down to catch up. I started working with them again and now we’re constantly making content together. Same thing with Nick Stanton and Devin Bunje. These guys created awesome shows like Disney’s Gamer’s Guide to Everything and Netflix’s Prince of Peoria. I hit it off with them and they always throw me bones. The actors strike was rough for all of us and I almost lost my health insurance. It was Nick and Devin who heard about this and called me in for their new animated show Haley’s On It, on Disney. I scored a few voice over roles and was able to make my health insurance quotas. It’s all about finding awesome people.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
By far, it’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which just launched on Netflix in July. I got to ride shotgun as the sidekick to the legendary Axel Foley for the entire opening of the film and I still can’t believe that happened. I will forever be thankful to the director, Mark Malloy for giving a lesser known actor a shot at such a highlighted role.
As a rising star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated and overcome obstacles in your career?
It’s not easy. Between the pandemic and the strikes, there were definitely times where my wife and I looked at each other and thought, “Welp, it’s time to pack up and head back to the Midwest.” But then something like The Offer (opposite Miles Teller) or Beverly Hills Cop comes along. I’ve been lucky enough to be given amazing opportunities that help convince myself that I can indeed make it in this business. It’s looking back on the jobs well done, the wins, that help me keep grinding.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . Not every job is going to lead to stardom. If you book a one line role on a TV show, maybe pitching the director a spin off for the “barista” isn’t the best idea. I never did this, but I may or may not have thought about doing it.
2 . Every person on a job is important. Word gets around about actors who treat crew members like garbage. It also gets around about actors who don’t.
3 . Improv isn’t always the right choice. Coming from the improv comedy world, when I first landed, I added lines into just about every audition I got. Sometimes it killed, sometimes I thought it killed later to find out that the casting director hated it. As I matured, I learned to research the creators and know if they were down to play around. There are definitely shows out there that want the scripts as written, and they’ve earned that right. It’s your job to give it to them.
4 . Stay humble and be careful around those who aren’t. When I first started to book roles, I felt like I was part of an ensemble, but some people don’t always feel the same way. Sometimes when people get their big break, they forget they were sitting next to you in audition rooms two weeks earlier and they definitely let you know by the way they carry themselves. I’ll never forget these people, and no one will forget you if you behave this way either
5 . If you’re desperate for work, book a vacation. Works every time. I had to cancel a Disney World family vacation to shoot Beverly Hills Cop.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
It is no secret that the amount of content being produced by networks and streamers is at an all time low. Creatives have known for a while that to really catch a break out here, you need to be making your stuff. Shoot that short film, create a web series. There are less and less opportunities to be hired aboard another project, but the entry point to making quality content yourself is lower than ever.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My acting teachers. Mrs. Fay introduced me to the world of acting. In highschool, Trish Clark was like a second mom to me. She really seemed to know that some students aren’t going to excel in the same ways as others and she never gave up on me. She always knew that I would be successful if I surrounded myself with like-minded artists and that’s exactly what happened when I got to Second City in Chicago. Kristin Goodman, Ted Hoerl, and Adrian Danzig in Chicago were also integral to my growth as an artist. I think when I got to Chicago College of Performing Arts, I was ready to be pushed and I was ready to take in anything anyone was willing to teach me. I learned so much from everyone at that school and in Chicago but those three in particular had very clear tool sets that they imparted on me that I still use to this day.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
In Kentucky, my friend’s dad used to say, “Wrestle with a pig and you both end up in the mud.” Basically, if you entertain crappy people’s opinions, you’re going to spend time in crappy situations. Sometimes you just need to give them a thumbs up and move on
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I’ve actually met them before but not in an ideal situation. It’s Adam Sandler. He’s definitely one of my comedy heroes and I just think he’s the best. So, when I first moved to LA, I was working with this really fun group called the Story Pirates. They take kids’ stories and turn them into silly little plays and songs. So anyway, one day we were doing a show in Beverly Hills and I’m playing like, “the stupid dog that likes to eat mud,” or something. It’s for kids, it’s meant to be over the top and silly. So afterwards I hear, “that was funny,” and I turn around and it’s Sandler. I guess he enjoyed my take on the dog who eats mud, haha. Anyway, I was so starstruck that I simply said, “you’re welcome,” and walked away. I would definitely love to have a coffee with him, pick his brain, and talk about my other roles that weren’t dogs who eat mud.
How can our readers follow you online?
@kylemore.tv on Instagram
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
