FILMMAKING Sebastian Siegel wrote, produced and directed the documentary feature film LOVE SEX GOD (trailer)(summary); produced the TV half hour comedy pilot JUST BE YOURSELF (trailer)(summary); and adapted the screenplay for the book GRACE AND GRIT. Sebastian is represented by BHDRL.
ACTING Through 2011 he’s played predominately pivotal character roles: Hector, the interplanetary geek and secret agent in THE FINDER; Jones, a villain in HAWAII FIVE-0; Erik, a vigilante in LOST; Nick, an investor who looses his family and all hope in THE FAMILY THAT PREYS; Hiram, the eccentric CEO in JUST BE YOURSELF; in roles like Judas Iscariot in indie films INDIE IS GREAT, ATHEIST, RISK, as well as roles on FAMILY GUY, FLASH FORWARD, BAYWATCH HAWAII and CSI MIAMI. Siegel began studying theatre at seven years, won the drama prize at Kent School, and was accepted to the University of Hawaii at fifteen to study drama. He expresses his practice in drama as, “my first form of meditative practice and experience of a safe and near limitless space for dynamic personal exploration and expression”. He rehearsed character material for nearly ten years with the late James Whitmore, and currently studies with Sandra Caruso and John Coppola. Formerly with Evolution Entertainment, Sebastian is represented by Scott Zimmerman.
EARLY LIFE Sebastian Siegel was born in Oxford, England. He grew up with his father part-time on Oahu, Hawaii, and lived with his mother and stepfather in San Antonio, Texas. His father, Lee Siegel, is professor of comparative and Indian religions and a Pulitzer nominated novelist, and his grandfather was a Jewish immigrant from Russia. Siegel's maternal grandfather, Leonard Thompson, was also a professor and active opponent of apartheid.
IDEAS Sebastian cites Alan Watts, Ken Wilber, Ramana Maharshi, Joseph Campbell and mentor James Whitmore as strong influences, and as a kid, his father’s teachings on Zen and comics he brought back from India on Rama, Kali, Ganesha and Shakti. In 1983 Siegel met Campbell with his father on Oahu, Hawaii.
OTHER MEDIA He was in theatre throughout school and although he didn’t play an organized sport - as a hobby - Siegel is widely recognized for appearing on over one hundred magazine covers from Men’s Fitness and Iron Man to Fitness Rx. In an interview he described his physicality as "strictly a byproduct of the love for transcending physical limits, igniting emotional highs and disciplining mental will". Photographers David La Chapelle and Steven Meisel have photographed him for campaigns and billboards in Times Square.
Siegel rapped the comedic lyrics for the parody hit music video, “Green Tea Partay”, which was the most viewed video in a single day in the history of You Tube. He is a supporter of The Smile Train, Best Buddies, and is a children’s mentor reader for the Screen Actors Guild. Siegel has served as an advocate against diabetes for the ADA, and writes for The Huffington Post.
