From Boxer to Actor: Sean Kerrigan’s Inspiring Journey | Sean Carrigan DSH #1337

Summary

Digital Social Hour: From Boxer to Actor – Sean Carrigan’s Inspiring Journey | Sean Carrigan DSH #1337

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Sean Carrigan
Release Date: April 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in a profound conversation with actor and former professional boxer Sean Carrigan. The discussion delves into Carrigan’s multifaceted journey from the boxing ring to the silver screen, exploring the personal and professional challenges he faced along the way. Through candid dialogue, Carrigan shares insights into his athletic background, the influence of his family, and his seamless transition into acting.

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Sean Carrigan’s Acting Career

Sean Carrigan opens up about his evolving acting career, highlighting his recent projects and future aspirations. He discusses his latest film, Grace Point, released on Amazon and Apple TV, and his upcoming project, Demonetized, set to release in April.

Carrigan: “Grace Point. You know, we've been working with Rory Karp, the guy who directed it... we're happy it's getting the attention it deserves.”
[00:40]

He emphasizes the difficulties of creating a top-selling movie in the current streaming-dominated landscape, noting the challenges of capturing and retaining audiences amidst numerous distractions.

Carrigan: “It's a tough time... there's so many distractions in the world, you know what I mean? So it's hard to get people to sit down for a whole film.”
[01:04]

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Transition from Boxing to Acting

Carrigan shares his deliberate decision to transition from a promising boxing career to acting. After turning pro in 1998 and accumulating eight professional fights, a pivotal moment occurred when he secured a SAG card from a UPN pilot, prompting him to pursue acting full-time despite initial skepticism from his father.

Carrigan: “Once I got my SAG card, I was like, all right, well, I'm gonna go to New York, I'm gonna go to LA. I'm gonna give up my boxing career. Well, it's time.”
[30:26]

He recounts his struggles in New York, bouncing between roles, until a chance encounter with Michael Rappaport provided the crucial advice that catalyzed his move to Los Angeles, where he has since built a successful acting career.

Carrigan: “I was bouncing at the China Club in New York for, like, six months... Then I ran into Michael Rappaport... he goes, 'You got to go to LA, man.'”
[32:16]

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Athletic Background and Struggles

Carrigan’s athletic journey began in wrestling and boxing during his high school years. He candidly discusses early challenges, including feeling powerless and struggling to make it to regional tournaments. A transformative experience at the Jay Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camp played a crucial role in honing his skills and boosting his confidence.

Carrigan: “I wrestled with him every day for 28 days... When I came back my senior year, I was destroying everybody.”
[07:44]

He emphasizes the importance of mental discipline and perseverance, recalling his trainer’s advice during his first boxing match that shifted his perspective on fighting with heart rather than just technique.

Carrigan: “This next round ain't about boxing. This next round is about heart... You have to give it everything.”
[16:03]

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Family and Personal Life

Family dynamics significantly influenced Carrigan’s path. Growing up with a father passionate about boxing, he and his brothers were trained from a young age. Despite their shared athletic pursuits, Carrigan’s brothers faced personal struggles, including addiction and legal issues, which Carrigan actively helped to overcome.

Carrigan: “I had to break my brother out of a crack house one time... it's just like my older brother.”
[25:50]

His deep commitment to family is evident as he discusses the importance of supporting his siblings and providing hope during their darkest times. These experiences shaped his portrayal of characters dealing with addiction in Grace Point.

Carrigan: “The character in Grace Point struggles with addiction... I related to the script because of my family.”
[23:09]

Carrigan also opens up about his personal life, including his relationship with his supportive partner and their exciting news of expecting twins.

Carrigan: “We decided to have kids, and we're having twins. I called it two for one, baby.”
[27:27]

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Challenges and Insights

Throughout the episode, Carrigan reflects on the broader challenges within the entertainment and sports industries. He discusses the overwhelming dominance of streaming platforms, the saturation of content, and the shifting landscape that impacts how actors and filmmakers navigate success.

Carrigan: “The platform has gotten bigger, but now it's just getting flooded... I don't know what sponsorships people have with other stuff on their site and why they won't air movies.”
[02:00]

He also touches on the psychological aspects of sports, likening his athletic discipline to his approach in acting. The episode underscores the significance of mental resilience, goal-setting, and the relentless pursuit of one’s passion.

Carrigan: “Families meant so much to me over the years that I'll do anything for them.”
[26:46]

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Conclusion

Sean Carrigan’s journey from the boxing ring to acting exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication. His story is not only inspiring for aspiring actors and athletes but also offers valuable insights into overcoming personal adversities, the importance of family support, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams. Through authentic and heartfelt dialogue, Digital Social Hour presents a nuanced portrayal of Carrigan’s life, highlighting the intersections between personal struggles and professional triumphs.

Carrigan: “You work harder. You work hard. And so, my dad was right.”
[11:54]

As the episode wraps up, Carrigan encourages listeners to support his work by watching Grace Point and following him on social media, leaving the audience with a sense of admiration for his multifaceted journey.

Carrigan: “Follow me on Instagram @realseankerrigan and go out and buy or rent Grace Point. It’s on Amazon and Apple.”
[34:34]

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Notable Quotes:

• Carrigan on Overcoming Fear:
  “I can conquer being scared and frozen.”
  [16:03]

• Carrigan on Hard Work:
  “You work harder. You work hard.”
  [11:54]

• Carrigan on Family:
  “Families meant so much to me over the years that I'll do anything for them.”
  [26:46]

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Final Thoughts:

This episode of Digital Social Hour offers a deep dive into Sean Carrigan’s life, illustrating how determination and resilience can bridge the gap between vastly different careers. Through his narrative, Carrigan inspires listeners to persevere through challenges, value family bonds, and pursue their passions relentlessly.

Transcript

[A]

These movies. And I think she knew at that point that I wanted to be an actor. But, you know, when I was in high school, I had these athletic goals that I wanted to try to hit. I wanted to go to Division one program, wrestle in division, you know, Division one, try to be an All American. And then I also wanted to have, have an amateur career, more of an amateur career, and then turn pro and fight professionally.

[B]

All right, guys, fellow Sean here today got an actor and new release, right? Grace Point.

[A]

That's right, Grace Point.

[B]

Yeah, just came comes. It's out already, but it's out on.

[A]

Amazon and Apple tv.

[B]

I love it, man. And so was that your most recent film?

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Actually I just shot something called Demonetized. It's coming out in April. But yeah, Grace Point. You know, we've been working. Rory Karp, the guy who directed it, he's been working on this film, getting this film together for a long time and, and we got a great cast and we shot it a few years ago and it's finally coming out and.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, and we're happy it's getting the attention it deserves.

[B]

Yeah. It must be tough these days to make, make a top selling movie, right?

[A]

You know, I think so. I mean, you know, it's a tough time. You know, a lot going on with, you know, streaming and, you know, movies. It's just, you know, and plus there's like so many distractions in the world, you know what I mean? So it's hard to get people to sit down for a whole film. But our, you know, our movie's good and, you know, hopefully people watch it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I feel like there's a power shift towards the streaming platforms now. It seems like they're having a lot of power.

[A]

Yeah, they are. I mean, you know, that's, that's the way the world goes, you know, I mean, it's for inconvenience because I've had.

[B]

A lot of documentary filmmakers on the podcast and they have numerous stories of how they can't even get on Netflix because they said certain things in the documentary.

[A]

Oh, right, Yeah. I mean, look, you know, at the end of the day, you know, people just trying to get their stuff made and get it seen and, you know, I think there's, I think the, the, the platform has gone. Gotten bigger for that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But now it's just getting flooded. And so, you know, people, you know, and I don't know what, you know, sponsorships people have with other, you know, you know, with, with stuff, you know, stuff on their Site and why they won't air movies and stuff like that. Like, I'm. I'm just an actor, man.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, just.

[B]

Yeah. It's cool, though. You're seeing alternative routes. Andrew Schultz, who's a comedian, ended up launching a special on his own site and it crushed it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So there's other routes.

[A]

He's super funny.

[B]

Yeah. I love that guy. Have you seen him in performance? Live performance?

[A]

I haven't seen Andrew Schultz, but I, you know, I bounce around the Comedy Store quite a bit and, you know, I see. See a lot of guys, you know. You know.

[B]

Yeah. Theo Von's crushing her now. Shout out to Theo. There's some good comedians these days, man. It's a new era.

[A]

Yeah. Dean Del Rey. Dean Delray, he does a lot of work with Bill Burr. You know, big fan of Dean Del Rey. And Bill Burr is obviously, you know, the king.

[B]

Yeah. Hard to beat that, man.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I want to talk about your boxing career. So you said you started at 16, so.

[A]

Yeah, man, I was little growing up, and, you know, my parents got divorced when I was really young, so I moved down to Miami, Florida, and started living down there with my mom. And I would go up and visit my dad all the time up in D.C. live right outside D.C. northern Virginia, and he'd start training fighters. And that's when, you know, I just kind of fell in love with it. Watched him, you know, training fighters. I was around a gym and, you know, being that I was little, you know, I just, like, you know, I. I had moments when I was a kid where I felt, like, powerless. And I wanted to have. I wanted to have a sense of power and being able to defend myself and stand up to people. And, you know, being around a boxing gym seemed like the way to go. And so my dad. My dad was all about you know, being Irish and, you know, boxer and fighting Irish. Yeah, that's it. And so my. Me and my brothers. My dad trained me and my brothers. And so I would spend all my summers and winters up there and. And then, you know, eventually I lived up there after college and. And that's when I like, you know, I had my. A lot of my amateur fights. I fought all over the country. My dad would, like every other weekend we'd, like, be going off somewhere. He would find fights that were going off in. In Roanoke or, you know, West Virginia or, you know, up in New New Jersey. He would just find fights for. For all of us to go to. I mean, one time we went to Boston.

[B]

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[A]

To fight in Brockton. I mean, it was just like my dad was always trying to get his son's fights. Wow. Yeah. I mean, when we were real young. I've even got a picture of it. My brother, my brother's three and a half years older than me and my dad laced this up when I was like 9. My brother was 12 and he's just, he's like about to. They, they caught the photo right as he's about to land a right hand right on my head. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

So you were scrapping with your brother?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, he. But that's one thing my dad like, he loved like, you know, putting gloves on the kids and we'd all like, get out in the yard and.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Get after it.

[B]

So he had some tough love to him.

[A]

That's, I think that's, I mean, that's what, know when he was, when he was coming up, he, he grew up in Alcoa, Tennessee. And you know, his uncles were prize fighters and, and, and they would, they would lace up all the cousins and put gloves on them and then, and then, you know, they'd, they'd all go to, you know, go to battle out in the backyard. And my, my dad was like, you know, he was, he was one of the better ones.

[B]

Yeah, that's how it was back in the day, man. My dad grew up on a farm and he was scrapping all the time.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

You could lay hands on people in school even back then, but now you get immediately suspended.

[A]

Yeah, there's a lot, I think there's a lot of fight stories back then.

[B]

Yeah, different era. Now people fight online.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Cyberbullying or whatever. Yeah, it's a much different era. But at the same time, mental health's worse. So you kind of start to wonder like which one was better.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I mean It's a toss up.

[B]

Yeah. Would you rather get physically beat up or mentally assaulted on the Internet? I guess.

[A]

Oh, I'll take an ass kicking.

[B]

Ass.

[A]

Yeah, I'll take a physical ass kicking, man.

[B]

Man. So that was kind of your destiny from a young age then fighting?

[A]

Well, I, you know, look, man, you know, I wasn't very good when I like the. It's interesting because I was real small and I wanted to wrestle and box. Those are my two sports. And I started out wrestling in high school and I just, I was terrible. It wasn't very good. I was weak, small, and I think I started at 119 my, my.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

My sophomore year and then I went up to 130 my junior year. I never even made it to the, to the, to the regional tournament, you know, in Dade county. And, and, and so I didn't even make it to regions, man, you know, regionals. And you know, right before my senior year I wrestled freestyle and then I went off to a summer camp.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Went to Jay Robinson Intensive Wrestling Camp in Minnesota, University of Minnesota before my senior year in high school. And I wrestled with the guy who was a state runner up in, in Michigan. I wrestled with him every day for 28 days. And it was just me and him became pals. And then, and then you just wrestled. They, they had you working out at J Rob. They had you wrestling, you know, a couple times a day. Then you were doing, you were doing runs in the morning, you're doing weightlifting, and then they had you write out all your goals. I came back my senior year and, and just destroying everybody. And one, one of the best WR in, in Florida my senior year. So it was, I had a good, I had a good senior year. Yeah. But I never even wrestled. I'd never even wrestled in a regional tournament and, and you know, went to state championships. Didn't do as well as I wanted to, but you know, got to, got to go off to college and I wrestled D1 in college.

[B]

Amazing. That's a great story of just being in the right environment. Right. Because you had to feel inside you. You just needed someone to help bring that up. Yeah.

[A]

And you know, and that, that camp Jay Robinson Intensive Camp was, you know, they, we had a, we had a shirt that, that we would all wear, said I'm going to heaven because I've been through hell. Jay Robinson Intensive Passing Camp.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

And so I don't know what I did with that shirt, but I wish I could find it.

[B]

Yeah, that sounds like a legendary shirt. I Love that quote, though.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You got to go through some tough stuff if you want to make it to the top.

[A]

You do. And, and what was great about that, that, that camp was, you know. You know, they had us writing out goals and just like. And, and, and just doing things that you, you know, pushing you farther than go. And so I came back that year, my senior year, and, and preseason tournaments. I would wrestle 145 and 152. I'd go and I'd like. I'd register in two weight classes, and then I'd be in the finals in both, and then.

[B]

That's hard to do.

[A]

Yeah. And so. Yeah, man. So that was, you know, it was, it was. It was a. It was a good. It was a good career, you know, in high school and, and, you know, I did something.

[B]

That's why I love the mental side of sports, actually, which is why I don't know if you watch basketball, but I think Phil Jackson's the goat.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because he just had the mental side of the sport on lock.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Make the players meditate, write out goals, like you're saying. Yeah, I think that's kind of what separates the. The best athletes from, like, everyone else.

[A]

The mental side, you know, man, I think I. I think you're right. It's just. It's just a matter of. Of just working, working, working. For me, you know, I've always kind of fell on my face quite a bit. You know, it seems like I, you know, I fall down 10 times before I actually succeed. And, you know, it was the same thing of boxing. There was a guy in the gym when I was. When I was younger, when I first started. He'd been boxing since he was five years old, and he just, you know, he was just better. He was just better than me because he'd been boxing so long, I was just starting and. And he would just beat my ass all the time. All the time. And my dad, on the drives, you know, we'd be driving home and my dad would just be like, just keep working. Just keep working. Just keep working. And he's like, one of these days it's going to be like, you know, a light bulb goes off, it's like a window's going to open, and all of a sudden you're going to. You're going to see. You're going to see the punches, you're going to see things coming at you, and it's just going to, like, get easier. He said, you just got to keep working. So I listened to it. I'D go back to the gym, and again, you know, we'd box, we'd spar. He'd beat my ass again. And my dad would just say, just keep working. Just keep working. Just keep working. You work harder. You work hard. And so. And then, next thing you know, he was. My dad was right. It was like, all of a sudden, one day, it was just like, you know, it's like the window open. I was like, oh, wait a second. I'm like, I see everything. I like, you know, I started seeing punches coming at me. I was like, whoa, whoa, no way, no way. You know, and then that. That guy, that, that, that guy, that kid, he never. He never beat me after that.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It was like an overnight thing for you?

[A]

Yeah, it was. It was just like. And it was just like my dad said, it's like one day, wow, the light went off. And that comes with hard work.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And, you know, it's the same thing, you know, in. In wrestling, you know, it's like, it was just hard work, hard work, hard work. So I was just lucky to do two sports that, that, you know, that just spoke to me, you know, and. And really gave me a sense of identity because I kind of felt lost most of my high school career until my senior year.

[B]

You felt lost.

[A]

Like, just overall just felt, like, unseen, you know, just didn't really have a sense of identity. That's the thing I love about sports is. Is working hard at something gives you character. And then all of a sudden, you know, you start having some success and you start to, like, feel, okay, this is like, I am. Here I am. I'm seeing. I'm seeing this hard work pay off. And it was valuable for me, absolutely.

[B]

I attribute. I was a track runner in high school, and that helped me find myself and learn mental discipline, too. But, like, like you, I was. I was lost in high school, man, my identity. I was pretending to be someone I wasn't for sure.

[A]

Yeah, it was. It was tough, man. I just, I think, you know, I was smaller and. And, you know, I didn't really have the right direction. And, you know, I found wrestling and boxing, and it changed my life.

[B]

So you really tied a lot of your identity to your. Your height and size?

[A]

I think so. I think I did because, you know, I felt like everybody was bigger than me.

[B]

Was that intimidating to you?

[A]

Yeah, I think. I think especially in junior high. Junior high was rough.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then 9th and 10th grade, you just, you know, you want to be taken seriously, and, you know, you. You just. Yeah. You know, it was just when you. When you. I attributed. I attributed, like, being not being able to, like, stand up to being scared. Okay, I'll give you an example. Give you an example. What I'm saying. When I was in junior high, they were. There was a big fight right out in the. Out in the yard, and a couple of my friends were outnumbered, and a bunch of guys jumped in, and I, like, I went to, like, go help, and I froze. I froze because I was scared, and I felt like I. I just. I, Like, I literally couldn't make myself. I couldn't make my. Like, because I was scared. Yeah. I couldn't make myself go help. Now, a bunch of other. My friends jumped in, and, like, you know, they. They got out of the situation, but it's still, like, that feeling of. Of, like, being scared and frozen. I was like, dude, I can't. I can't live my life like this. I don't want to live my life like that. And that. And that's why, you know, I think I. I turned to wrestling and why I turned to boxing, and there's nothing like, you know, Rory. My. My buddy Rory carpools on here. Yeah, his director, and, you know, he said he always wanted to have the one fight. He wanted to know what that's like when you're walking out to, you know, taking that. That walk out to the ring. And he wanted to know, like, you know, what that feels like. And I wanted to know what that felt like. I wanted to know that, like, I can. I can. I can conquer being scared and frozen and. And that's why I did it. And that, you know, that when you first walk out. That first fight that I had, I fought a guy named Leonard Johnson from Alexandria Boxing Club at the Olympia Boxing Club in Falls Church, Virginia. And it was a big smoker event. And I. You know, walking out to that ring was one of the. One of the scariest moments of my life because I was like, why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? You know, And. And you. Your part of you wants to chicken out.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then I just forced myself, like, you have to. You have to. You have to. And then you get in there, and then you start mixing it up, and you're like, all right, I can. I can do this. I can do this. And conquering your fears. And I think that's what it is. It's. You know, the thing about boxing and wrestling is you learn to conquer your fears. Learn to, like, you know, to really, like, stand up and fight for yourself. And, you know, there's. There was an interesting thing that happened in that fight is my first fight. And between. So it was a three round, you know, there's a three rounder. And between rounds two and three, you know, me and this guy had been going at it. We had been going at it, and I was. I was doing really well. And Jim Ed Jones, who was my trainer at the time with my dad, Jim Ed Jones, said to me in the. In the middle of round two and three, he goes, hey, this next round, this next round ain't about boxing. This, this next round is about heart. It's about how much heart you got. You go out there and you give it everything. This round is about heart. It's about what you got inside. You get out there and you get it. You take it. You take it right now. And I've never forgotten that.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

And. And I went out there and, you know, just, you know, put it on the guy and. And it was one of the greatest moments of my life. And. And I'll never forget that. That, that advice.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

You know, and it. Go ahead.

[B]

Where you saw it sounds like a really pivotal moment in your life. You remembered every single word. And like.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. And I remember him, like, standing there looking at me because. Because you're. I was gassed. I was so gay. I was, you know, was exhausted. And you get on when you have your first fight, you know, in the amateurs, you, You're. You're exhausted by this because you don't.

[B]

Know how to pace yourself.

[A]

Yeah, no, I mean, it's just, you know, it's exhausting. And, and, you know, there's so much going. There's so much adrenaline pumping through you because you're also nervous and scared. And then you get in there and, you know, it's just, you know, you're. You're probably going at a faster pace than you would, you know, as. As time goes on. I mean, as the years went on, you know, the fights got easier. You know, you. You manage those emotions better, but nothing like a. That first, that first match.

[B]

I love it, man. Yeah. That's why I love sports and, and especially fighting sports. It builds your confidence, right?

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you know, I was. I was boxing and wrestling way before MMA became a thing. I. I kind of missed the MMA window. Um, but I always, always loved, you know, feeling like, you know, I could defend it. I can defend the takedown and, you know, also defend myself with my hands. So it's a good life skill to.

[B]

Have, you know, you never know when you'll need to throw hands with someone at the bar or something.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

But just that confidence, knowing you can defend yourself, you could defend your girl, your friends.

[A]

I mean, that's really the only reason I. I started boxing and wrestling is I wanted to be able to defend myself. And then I just. As the years went on, I did it more and more. And then my dad was such a proponent of it that, you know, just ended up having a career longer than I ever anticipated. But that was the. The main. The main reason I started was just to be able to defend myself.

[B]

Yeah. Did your brother get to the pro level too?

[A]

Yeah, both my brothers. I've got a bunch of brothers and sisters, but to. My brothers fought. Uh, My younger brother, he. He started fighting when he was like, you know, he was like six. Wow.

[B]

Yeah, he was young.

[A]

Yeah, he was like, you know, they. He was, you know, he just scrapping it out. Just scrapping it out, you know. You know, seeing little kids fight at that. At that age is ridiculous. It's like, this looks like the right.

[B]

Yeah, super early, man.

[A]

I don't know about, but he had tons of fights, you know, had a very long amateur career. My older brother had a. Had a amateur career too. And then he turned pro and I think he had like, maybe my. My brother had like maybe four pro fights. Same thing with my younger brother.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And then, you know, but they had my, My little brother, he started boxing at a very young age. Fought, fought in all kinds of national championship tournaments and did, you know, did really well for a long time, and he was even a better wrestler than he was a boxer.

[B]

But there's no money in that, right?

[A]

No, I mean, no, but I mean, now it would be mma.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, but back then, he had the most single season wins as a freshman.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

In his high school, he had the most single season wins as a freshman. And he could have been. He could. I mean, he could have done really. He went to the state championships a couple times and. And then he just got, you know, he got a little bit trouble. He followed my. My other brother was in and out of jail. Both my brothers have been in and out of jail. Yeah, they both, they both kind of, you know, I think they were selling drugs at one point and, you know, getting in all kinds of trouble. And then they did some time.

[B]

I mean, I get it, man. I was a little.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

We dealer in college, you know.

[A]

Yeah. You're broke.

[B]

I mean.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, they were, they were, you know, they got Mess. They got messed up. But my. My little brother's cleaned himself up pretty well. My older brother's doing all right, and. But they were actually. Both of them. What's a funny story? They were both in Fairfax county jail for about a year and a half around that time. They were both in the. That. In that jail on different floors. When I was on the Young and the Restless. Yeah. And both of them got in fights in the TV rec room over somebody trying to change a channel. When I was on the Young and the Restless, both of them at different times. And so that's, you know, that's cool.

[B]

That you could provide them some hope while they were in there, though. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. And then, you know, my one brother's like, that's my brother. It's like, no, it ain't. That's my brother. Yeah.

[B]

Tight with your brothers. That's cool.

[A]

Yeah, we're all really tough. Tag with all my brothers and my sisters.

[B]

Yeah. I grew up an only child, so I can't relate. But when I have kids, I want them to, you know, have siblings. I think that's important.

[A]

Yeah, it was good. I mean, you know, we came from a rough and tumble family. You know, some of my. My brothers and sisters, you know, they had. They struggled with addiction. You know, I think that that's why, you know, this movie that we did, Grace Point, has been so important to me. You know, the character, main character, struggles with addiction, and, you know, and he goes on this journey, and it's about a father and a son. A son trying to find his father. You know, it's like an inspirational thriller and a heart, you know, heart. A heartwarming thriller. And so I think, you know, that's why I related to the script and why I wanted to do it and, you know, sound like family.

[B]

I love that. I think everyone can relate to addiction, whether it's themselves or their family members. Right. I saw my dad with alcoholism. That wrecked him.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

You know, I think there's. It's a problem everywhere, addiction.

[A]

Yeah, it really is. And it's commercialized, too. Like, you know, alcohol be out, you know. You know, and, you know, beer commercials.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Everything. Everything.

[B]

Drug commercials on every television network, you know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, it's crazy. So easy to get access to this stuff, too.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You really gotta have the right people around you to break you out.

[A]

Yeah, I had to break my brother out of a crack house one time.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, that sounds straight out of the movie the Fighter. I swear to God, I saw that movie. I was Like, Jesus. Then that's me and my older brother.

[B]

So those actually exist, those crack houses?

[A]

Yeah. He was in some like, you know, some like, like just this worn out house that, you know, everybody went and did drugs at. And he called me one day and he goes, hey, man, hey man, you got it? You got to come get me, man. These bikers are coming to jump me, man. These bikers are coming to jump me. And so I was wrestling at George Mason University at the time. And I, you know, I was there and I was at a. I think I was like, I forget where I was, but. But a couple of my other wrestler buddies were with me and I said, hey man, I gotta go. I gotta go rescue my brother, man. He's at this, this, you know, drug house and you know, it's. I, I got, I don't know, I, I just gotta go. And they were like, hey, we're coming with you. And I was like, yeah, I don't know when I'm walking into, man, you know, so just, just letting you guys know that. And so they're like, we're coming. So my buddies Mark and Ty, you know, they're guys are wrestling on my wrestling team with me. We went and we got there and we pull up to this house and I go, all right, I don't know how this is going to go, but what I'm going to do is I'm just going to go kick that front door in and start yelling, where, you know, where's Michael Kerrigan? Where, where's Toby Kerrigan? Where's he at? And so you guys, you know, Ty, you go around the back. You can kill Kir, you come with me or you get however you want. So Ty went around the back, I went in the front. You know, Kira was with me. I just kicked the door in, was like, yeah, where the is Michael Kerrigan? Where the is Toby Kerrigan? He also goes by Toby, that's the big name. And I said, where the is he? Where is he? And like, you know, people were like, oh, he's over there, he's over there. I was like, I was like, hey, hey. You say, oh, hey man. Hey, man. And I grabbed him, got him out of there and then, you know, save him, save him, I think, I don't know.

[B]

And that was your older brother?

[A]

It's my older brother, yeah. He struggled with addiction over the years.

[B]

And so you kind of had to grow up quick. Then you got to be responsible for your older brother.

[A]

You know, he's. He's like, I like to Say he's my. He's my older little brother.

[B]

I love that.

[A]

So. But. But he's always, you know, look, we have different moms, and, you know, he had. He had a rougher upbringing than I did, really. And so, you know, same. Same thing with my other older brothers and sisters. And so I take that into account, you know. You know, it's. I guess we're. We're a victim of our environment sometimes when we're growing up.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And, you know, I. I just. Just try to be as much help to my brothers and sisters as. As I can. And, you know, families. Families meant so much to me over the years that I'll. I'll do anything for them.

[B]

I love that, man.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Family is important, for sure. I saw. So I grew up mixed. I'm half Irish, half Asian, so it's such a different lifestyle with family, the two sides, so I got to experience both, you know.

[A]

Wow. Man.

[B]

So now I kind of know what the best of each. And I'm gonna have a good family one. One of these days, you know?

[A]

Yeah. Are you gonna have kids?

[B]

Yeah. And I didn't want kids when I was younger, but now I do.

[A]

Yeah. You know, I. I just. I don't know if. Should I talk about. I just. I just. My. My. My girl and I, we decided to have kids.

[B]

Oh, nice.

[A]

And so. And we just found out that we're having twins.

[B]

Dude. Congrats. Yeah.

[A]

And I called him, too. I called it, by the way.

[B]

Two for one, baby.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I told. I told her. I. I actually told her before. I was like, hey, listen, we need. We need two for one. I'm not getting any younger. Yeah. And so. So we're pretty excited about.

[B]

That's cool, man. You held off.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know. Hey, what was the deciding moment to.

[A]

To have them when I met her? Wow. I just. I hadn't met anyone that checked all the boxes like that for me, and it made me. She's such a good mom. She has. She has two kids from previous marriage, and she's just the most wonderful person and mother. That's a beautiful. And. And I just met her at the right time, and we've known each other for a long time, but we never really really started dating until back in May.

[B]

Is she an actress as well?

[A]

No, no.

[B]

She.

[A]

She. She. She's a government worker. She works. She runs the water department over in the city of Oxnard.

[B]

Total opposite personality, it sounds like.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. She. I like. I always tease her. I'm like, you like the Movie Chinatown. You run the water.

[B]

Sometimes you need that balance, man. The opposites attract.

[A]

Like they say, It's. It's cool. It's. She's. But she's amazing, and she's super supportive with my. My career, and so I'm just lucky.

[B]

Love that, man. I want to hear about your transition into acting, because that's not an easy. Easy space to penetrate, Right? Getting acting gigs.

[A]

No. You know, man, when I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be an actor. And, you know, I. One of my favorite movies is Star wars, you know, classic. Yeah. And, you know, then Return of the Jedi came out and. Or Star Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. And, like, you know, when I was a kid, I'd see these movies, and I, like, come home and I just, like, act them out to my mom. And then, you know, Luke Skywalker did this, then Han Solo did this, and my poor mom, you know, she's like, you know, been working all day. She's, like, sitting there trying to, like, listen to me describe all these different scenes of these movies. And I think she knew at that point that I wanted to be an actor. But, you know, when I was in high school, I had, you know, especially after, you know, my. Especially my senior year, it was like, you know, going into my senior year, I had. I had these athletic goals that I wanted to try to hit. I wanted to. I wanted to go to, you know, a division one program, wrestling division, you know, Division one. Try to be an All American. And then I also wanted to have. Have an amateur career, more of an amateur career, and then turn pro and fight professionally for a couple years. I only wanted to have, like. My goal was to have, like, five pro fights. I ended up having eight. And so I just. I wanted to. But I wanted to, you know, do those things. And then I. I used to tell people, my senior, I was in drama. My. My senior year, I would tell. I used to tell people to be like, I'm gonna go to. I'm gonna go to college. I'm gonna try to be an All American in wrestling. I'm gonna. I'm gonna have a few. I'm gonna have a brief pro career in boxing, and then I'm gonna become an actor.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

And so you called it. So. So, like, people like, you know, they'd be like, you're gonna do what? You're gonna do what? Oh, and then you're gonna do what? Yeah, okay, pal. You know, that's not the path that everybody takes. Yeah, but I was just. I had It. I had it in my mind. And so when I, When I was boxing, I was by, you know, I turned pro in 98, and I was, you know, fought professionally until April 2000. And after that fight, I. I got cast in a UPN pilot that was shooting in Baltimore, and I got my SAG card from it. And so once I got my SAG card, I was like, all right, well, I'm gonna go to. I'm gonna go to New York. I'm gonna go to la. I'm gonna give up. Give up my, My boxing career. Well, it's time. It's time, you know? And my dad, my, he was pissed, right? Oh, he was so mad. He said, hey, man, you're gonna be. You're gonna be driving. You're gonna be driving cabs the rest of your life. I go, hey, Pop, I'll show you that one of these days you're gonna see me on the big screen. He's like, hey. He's like, I'll be dead and gone before that ever happens. And then I went off. I went off to New York. I was having no luck up in New York. It's like bouncing at the China Club in New York for, like, six months, having no luck. And then. And then I ran into Michael Rappaport, and he goes, he goes, hey, I, I. He was at the club. And I go, hey, man, when you made it in. In film or when you made it in acting, did you, did you make it here in New York or did you make it in la? He goes, what kind of acting you want to do? You want to do TV and film? And I go, yeah. He goes, then you got to go to la, man. And so I would. Next thing you know, I was. I was in my truck driving out to LA, and I'd been here for 24 years.

[B]

Wow. Shout out to Michael.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Does he know that story, by the way?

[A]

No. I mean, I've never, I've never ran. It's.

[B]

Let him know he's coming on the podcast.

[A]

Is that right?

[B]

Yeah, I'll tell him about it.

[A]

Yeah. That's cool, man. And so, yeah, I love that guy. I love.

[B]

He's hilarious.

[A]

Yeah. And. And he's a great actor. And. And he said that to me right there. And I was, I was bouncing at the China Club, and I was like, you know, and he. And because I. And he was cool, too, because as he was walking out, I was like, hey, man, you mind if I asked you something? You know, and, and he was, he was very forthcoming, man. He was a good dude and. But anyway, so fast forward. Years later, I'm sitting with my dad. We're at. We're at a D.C. film festival. We're about to watch this movie I did on the big screen, and he and my old man sitting right next to me, and I go, hey, hey, Pop. Remember how you said that you'd be dead and gone before you saw me on the big screen? Guess what? You're about to watch me on the big screen. He's like, you son of a. You remember everything. God damn it. And so it was good.

[B]

Sometimes your biggest haters are your biggest.

[A]

Yeah. He became one of my biggest fans, though. He was. He was. He was. Yeah.

[B]

Shout out to my mother. You know, skeptical at first. You know, coming from China, academics is everything. Education, getting good grades. That's how she escaped poverty. So.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Why not apply it to me? But different path, you know?

[A]

Sure.

[B]

So we used to butt heads all the time about it, but now she watches every single episode. She's, like, my biggest fan.

[A]

Of course. Yeah. It's funny how that works. My dad, at the end of. You know, when in his older years, he would hang out, he would hang out at, like, the Moose Lodge and the American Legion, and he'd be like, hanging out with all these. You know, like, be hanging out with different women and stuff. And he. And all of a sudden, I get a call, and he. And I go, hey, what's up? He go, hey, tell this girl that you play Stitch on the Young and the Restless. You know, the girl go, your dad says you Stitch. I don't believe. And I'll be like, oh, yeah, hey, yeah, yeah. And she's like, prove it. And I go, all right, well, I was with Victoria. I left Victoria. I got with her stepmom, Ashley, and then, you know, I left Ashley, and then I got with Ashley's daughter, Abby. And then I was in a love triangle between Ashley and Abby, and she was like, oh, my God, it is Stitch. And then my dad grabbed the phone. He's like, all right. Hey, thanks, man. Appreciate it.

[B]

Used it to get girls. This is before FaceTime. You know, man, times have changed. That's funny, man.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, dude, this has been really fun. What are you working on next? Where do people keep up with you?

[A]

I'm on Instagram. Follow me on the real Sean Kerrigan. And, you know, do us a favor. Go out and buy or rent Grace Point.

[B]

Yeah, we'll link it below.

[A]

Yeah, it's on Amazon and Apple. And, you know, we worked really hard on the movie, and it's got a great twist at the end, and people get a lot of great feedback from it. Yeah.

[B]

Guys, after you're done watching Beast Games, check out Grace Point. It's on the same platform.

[A]

Right on.

[B]

Let's do it. All right, guys, see you next time.

[A]

Thanks.