Above Photos: February 21, 2015
Gig always thought he would like to enter the acting industry and was fortunate to realize that dream when he was a background actor on various TV shows and movies such as the reality TV show Hell’s Kitchen season 15 (2015), the TV show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (2015) and the feature films Jason Bourne (2016) Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015), Think Like A Man Too (2014), Last Vegas (2013), The Hangover Part III (2013), Behind the Candelabra The Liberace Story (2013) and Rocky Balboa (2006).
As of January 13, 2015 Gig is eligible to join The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (
And ever since December 2005, Gig is also qualified to join IMDB.com and list his acting credits here http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5262998/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 and here http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7980513/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1, where they already have him listed. But Gig has not made the decision to join SAG-AFTRA or IMDB yet.
Gig is very grateful to have become part of the acting industry and knows how fortunate he is, especially when it is estimated that every year 127,000 men and women move to New York and Los Angeles with the intention of becoming professional actors. And to date, Gig has never taken a single acting class. If he ever writes a book, he says he will include behind the scenes details about his observations and experiences in the industry.
Acting experience consists of:
12 Feature Films (hired for 12 but filmed in 10)
Frank & Lola (2015) did not film
War Dogs (2016) originally titled Arms and The Dudes (2016) did not film
2 Television Shows as an Interviewee (not a hired actor)
4 Commercials
The Cards Club (2010) The entire Voice-Over and two On-Screen Appearances
World Series of Poker WSOP.com (2015)
The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino (2015) 2 commercials filmed on the same day
3 Promotional Videos
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 189 Pay Per View (PPV) Promotional Video (2015)
1 Tour Guide/Actor
Bugsy’s Tour (2009)
2 Radio Shows
1 Three Hour On-Air Radio Talk Show Host KSHP 1400-AM (2008)
1 Radio Interview. Gig and his business partner did a live radio interview about a business they owned and operated in Las Vegas in 2002. (not a hired actor)
1 Tourist Improvisation Street Performance Winner (not a hired actor)
Disney World (2000)
Audience Member for many Live and Taped Shows These are not paid roles in the traditional sense. Gig received free tickets/admission to the shows with instructions on participation/involvement.
Audience membership includes television pilots and television shows such as American Idol (2013), which was filmed in the The Cirque Du Soleil The Beatles Love Theater at The Mirage Hotel and Casino on February 27, 2013.
Gig has been on-set and filmed with many actors and notables such as the following: Year listed is the date Gig was actually on set with the actor or notable, not the date of the release of the project- followed by the name of the project.
Sylvester Stallone (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Frank Stallone (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Geraldine Hughes (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Mike Tyson (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Antonio Tarver (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Michael Buffer (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Joe Cortez (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Larry Merchant (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Jim Lampley (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Max Kellerman (2005- Rocky Balboa)
Michael Douglas (2012- Behind The Candelabra, and 2012- Last Vegas)
Matt Damon (2012- Behind The Candelabra, and 2016- Jason Bourne)
Dan Aykroyd (2012- Behind The Candelabra)
Tom Papa (2012- Behind The Candelabra)
Bradley Cooper (2012- The Hangover Part III and 2015- War Dogs originally titled Arms and the Dudes)
Ed Helms (2012- The Hangover Part III)
Zach Galifianakis (2012- The Hangover Part III)
Robert De Niro (2012- Last Vegas)
Morgan Freeman (2012- Last Vegas)
Kevin Kline (2012- Last Vegas)
Stefan Kendal Gordy aka RedFoo of LMFAO (Motown founder Berry Gordy’s son) (2012- Last Vegas)
Kevin Hart (2013- Think Like A Man Too)
Adam Brody (2013- Think Like A Man Too)
Michael Ealy (2013- Think Like A Man Too)
Jerry Ferrara (2013- Think Like A Man Too)
Terrence Jenkins (2013- Think Like A Man Too)
Romany Malco (2012- Last Vegas, and 2013- Think Like A Man Too)
Gary Owen (2013- Think Like A Man Too)
David Walton (2013- Think Like A Man Too)
Kevin James (2014- Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2)
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman (2014- Hell’s Kitchen)
Sean McAllister (2014- Hell’s Kitchen)
Michael Shannon (2014- Frank and Lola)
Titus Welliver (2014- Bosch)
Jordan Klepper (2015- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)
Nicolas Cage (2015- The Trust)
Elijah Wood (2015- The Trust)
Miles Teller (2015- War Dogs originally titled Arms and the Dudes)
Conor McGregor (2015- UFC 189 Aldo vs McGregor Pay Per View (PPV) Promotional Video)
Jonathan Joss (2016- Ray Donovan)
Ted Levine (2016- Ray Donovan)
Gordon Ramsay (2016- MasterChef)
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Gig Schmidt on the International Movie Database website, also known as IMDB
Gig is also listed here Gig Schmidt
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Gig was too busy to submit for the movie The House starring Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler, which filmed in Las Vegas November 10 and 11, 2015.
Gig was also booked to film in the new television show The Player starring Wesley Snipes, but Gig had to cancel, 2014 or 2015.
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Filming Date: Monday, January 11, 2016
Filming Location: Cashman Theater, Las Vegas, Nevada
Casting: Baskow and Associates, Las Vegas, Nevada
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The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino Commercial
Gig’s Role: Hotel casino guest and bar patron. Gig filmed two commercial scenes at this shoot.
Filming Date: Monday December 14, 2015 Midnight to 9:45 am Tuesday December 15, 2015
Filming Location: The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Casting: Baskow and Associates, Las Vegas, Nevada
Miscellaneous Notes: Gig filmed two commercials at this shoot. For the first of two scenes that Gig filmed in, Gig was paired with Connie “Breeze” (stage name). They started off the scene by walking in front of the main actor. Connie is an entertainment personality, event host and DJ, currently hosting the afternoon drive time slot 2 pm – 7 pm Monday through Friday on 105.7 FM in Las Vegas, Nevada. Connie was also inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Radio Hall of Fame in 2015.
For Gig’s second scene at the bar, Gig was paired with Dr. Olivia Rhee, who is an acupuncturist with a passion for singing and performing. Olivia has written and performed her own one-woman musical show in New York City, San Diego and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland which is the host of the largest arts festival in the world. Gig and Olivia were also coincidentally seated beside one another for the World Series of Poker (WSOP) television commercial shoot.
This was another shoot where the background actors were suppose to mime conversations with one another, but Gig and his pairing actually quietly spoke with one another for hours. After one of the takes, the director went over to Gig and Olivia and asked Gig not to be so demonstrative with his miming hand gestures. The director said that they could be clearly seen on screen behind the main actors and were even spotlighted due to the lights that were behind Gig and Olivia. However, Gig was never miming but actually reacting to his live conversation with Olivia. The director’s direction frightened Olivia so much that she almost became motionless in future takes, and Gig just became more mindful of his gestures and decreased his animation.
View commercial above or click here
View commercials above or click here
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World Series of Poker (WSOP) WSOP.com Auction Television Commercial
Gig’s Role: Auction attendee
Casting: Baskow and Associates, Las Vegas, Nevada
Miscellaneous Notes: Gig was originally seated on the aisle directly behind the lead actor where the Asian male is now. The director asked Gig to go to wardrobe to get a jacket and when he returned the Asian male was sitting in his seat. They decided to keep him there probably for many reasons, one of which is that he paired better based on looks with the younger Asian female he was sitting beside. Gig went to sit in the back of the room while they filmed the “turn around”, the view from the rear. Gig was not seen in any of those scenes. The Asian male was also one of about a half a dozen hotel casino employees that were hired for the shoot. Another may have been the male seated in the front row who is seen bidding on the auction.
When they started filming from the front, the production decided to switch Gig with another male where you see Gig in the commercial. The male he replaced took Gig’s seat in the rear and was not seen in the final commercial. Gig was moved up to his current seat probably because he was better paired with the attractive well dressed blond female that was seated to Gig’s left. Although she was never seen in the final edits. Seated to Gig’s right was Dr. Olivia Rhee. They never spoke during this shoot but finally did meet when they were paired in a later filming of a Stratosphere Hotel Casino commercial. When they met on the Stratosphere commercial they did not even realize they were seated together on this shoot until Gig finally realized it and asked if they sat together on this World Series of Poker (WSOP) shoot.
View commercial above or click here
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http://www.pass-thru-film.com/
Video coming soon
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Ultimate Fighting Championship 189 Aldo vs McGregor Pay Per View (PPV) Promomotional Video March, 22, 2015
Click here to view the promotional video
UFC Featherweight Title Fight (145 pounds) between the Champion (C) Jose Aldo “Junior” and #3 Conor McGregor “The Notorious” scheduled at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on July 11, 2015
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Gig was hired at Screen Actors Guild (SAG/AFTRA) rates earning his 4th union voucher. Three union vouchers qualifies one to join SAG. Gig was on-set, but was not used for the filming at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino on March 18, 2015. He was one of four actors hired to play a Casino Pit Boss but only two were used and when the selection was made Gig was not on-set while the other three were.
Gig’s Role: Casino Pit Boss named Jackson
Casting: David Anthony Casting, Las Vegas, Nevada
Status: Movie released August 19, 2016
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Gig’s Role: Diner Patron filmed with Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood on the movie’s very first day of the scheduled five week shoot. Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge in Las Vegas, NV on January 26, 2015
Casting: Goldman and Associates Casting, Las Vegas, Nevada
Status: Movie released May 13, 2016
On-set of the World Series of Poker commercial shoot, Mike Kelly, a fellow actor whom Gig first met on the filming of the feature film Pass-Thru, informed Gig that Cage now works out at the same gym as Gig but at a location that Gig no longer goes to.
If Gig writes a book he may include details about his encounter with Nicolas Cage outside of Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge in between filming, and his observation of Elijah Wood before filming began.
Gig might also include details about when and possibly why Gig and Zee, his on screen diner companion, were removed from a scene.
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The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Season 20 Episode 63 February 11, 2015
Gig’s Role: Gentlemen’s Club Patron filmed at Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club in Las Vegas, NV on January 13, 2015
Casting: Red Models and Talent Agency, Las Vegas, Nevada
Gig received his 3rd union voucher from this shoot which makes him eligible to join The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (
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Baccarat Add-On Game Sales Promotional Video
Gig’s Role: Baccarat Gambler
Casting: Darryl A. Armstrong (also one of the directors and an actor in the video to the far left wearing glasses)
Filming Location: Gambler’s General Store, Las Vegas, Nevada
Filming Date: January 8, 2015
Click here to view the video or view above.
Still images of Gig Schmidt from the Baccarat Add-On Game Sales Promotional Video Shoot, January 8, 2015
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Gig’s Role: Airport Traveler
Filming Location: An Airport terminal in Las Vegas, Nevada
Filming Date: December 16, 2014
Movie Genre: Musical produced by Disney-UTV
Plot Summary: The story traces the journey of an Indian dance troupe, a motley assortment of boys and girls who come from the backstreet’s of a Mumbai suburb; their rise to fame, sudden downfall and then their heroic attempt to seek vindication by regaining their lost glory and pride. ABCD 2 is a grand 3D Dance Film which travels to the vibrant city of Las Vegas and is a bittersweet journey of love, friendship, betrayal, honor and redemption.
Casting: Wildstreak, Las Vegas, Nevada
Status: Movie released in India in the language of Hindi, June 26, 2015. Gig was seen on screen from 1:07:29 to 1:07:35
Miscellaneous Notes: Gig’s shoot at the airport was a full day, with a lunch break, which did not end until late night. The scene with security asking the travelers to remove their shoes was shot at a different time, and probably on a different day. Gig’s day long shoot resulted in the scene of the group of travelers leaving the airport which was approximately 8 seconds long plus the subsequent scene outside of the airport curbside which was another couple of seconds. The director filmed many other scenes which did not make the final movie edit. Gig estimates there were approximately 50-100 background/extra actors hired for the day with only a few actors seen in the final 2 scenes that made it into the movie. At the end of the day, the background/extra actors were paid in cash.
Click here to view the movie clip or view above.
Still images of Gig Schmidt doing a “cross over” from the movie, filmed at an airport terminal in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 16, 2014. Gig decided on his own to do a cross over and when production saw what he did they thought it was a good decision and directed him to continue to do it and provided input on timing.
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Season 1 Episode 6 Released on Amazon Prime Instant Video on February 13, 2015
Gig’s Role: Casino Bar Patron filmed at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 12, 2014
TV Series: Drama / Mystery
Casting: Bill Dance Casting, North Hollywood, California
Miscellaneous Notes: On-set Gig met and filmed with Lanette Fugit, a SAG actress that read for the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the TV show Modern Family, which is one of Gig’s all-time favorite TV shows. The role eventually went to Sofia Vergara who became the highest paid female actress on television. During Gig’s filming on Bosch, Gig and this actress were suppose to be miming their conversation but actually quietly conversed with one another during the entire shoot. Gig was also on-set with Lanette on the filming of the movie War Dogs.
Gig met another SAG/AFTRA background actor on-set who drove up from Los Angeles for his two or three days of his filming for this television show. Apparently, many actors drive up from Los Angeles for shoots on well known SAG/AFTRA projects.
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Gig’s Role: Originally booked as a Chef but then changed to a Gambler. However, Gig was not used on set for this role so he was still considered a fresh face and was asked back for another role but declined because the call time (the time to report to the holding area) was 1 AM in the morning and he just finished a 10 hour work day on the set of the Disney film Any Body Can Dance 2. Filming for the gambler scene was in a bar area at The El Cortez Hotel and Casino, Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada on December 3, 2014
Movie Genre: Thriller
Casting: Goldman and Associates, Las Vegas, Nevada
Status: Movie is scheduled to be released December 6, 2016
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Season 15 Episode 1 “18 Chefs Compete”
Aired January 15, 2016
http://www.fox.com/hellskitchen/
Gig was booked by Spectrum Entertainment out of Los Angeles, California as a background actor and an unofficial stand-in for the new chef contestants. He filmed with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Sean McAllister, the Executive Producer and a co-host of FOX5’s highly popular Las Vegas lifestyle and entertainment news programs, MORE and MORE Access.
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 7, 2014
View video above or click here
Las Vegas Welcomes Hell’s Kitchen motor parade, Gig is to the right under the balloons
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 7, 2014
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman top center, Gig Schmidt far right 3rd row, and some other background actors.
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 7, 2014
Gig’s Role: Audience member for the Le Reve show filming at The Wynn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 21 and 22, 2014.
Movie Genre: Comedy
Plot Summary: The sequel follows James’ Paul Blart who attends a Security Guard Expo in Las Vegas with his daughter. Despite being teased by casino security and other attendees, Blart takes on a group of dangerous art thieves.
Casting: Goldman & Associates Casting which is probably the largest and oldest casting agency in Las Vegas
Status: Movie released April 17, 2015
Miscellaneous Notes: This was the first movie ever filmed in the Wynn Resort. The billionaire casino magnate owner, Steve Wynn, granted permission for the first time for the shoot at this hotel casino under the condition that the movie showed Las Vegas in a family friendly manner.
Filming of the Le Reve show segment took place over 2 full overtime days, 14 hours on May 21, 2014, 6:30 am – 8:30 pm and 17 hours on May 22, 2014, 6:30 am – 11:30 pm. Hundreds of background actors were used and some were paid SAG/AFTRA rates. Upper body dummies were also used to fill in the theater seats. In the final movie version, approximately 3 minutes were used and about a dozen background extras were seen.
Side Note: Casino owner Steve Wynn had a business meeting with Gig’s father at his father’s Indian Reservation in New Jersey in the 1980’s or early 1990’s with the goal of securing casino gambling on the tribe’s reservation land.
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Gig was called by Central Casting from Los Angeles, California to play the role of Officer James, the Clark County Detention Center (Las Vegas Jail) Guard.
On June 15, 2013 Gig was a “day player”, which is an actor hired at Screen Actors Guild (SAG) scale for the day and was featured in a non speaking role when he filmed for 15 hours with 8 of the main male characters in the movie, Kevin Hart, Romany Malco, Terrance Jenkins, Michael Ealy, Gary Owen, Jerry Ferrara, Adam Brody and David Walton. Gig was also selected on set to be a stand-in and received a “bump” in role and pay.
Gig earned his second union voucher for this day shoot. Three union vouchers qualifies one to join (SAG) the Screen Actors Guild.
Gig’s Role: Officer James the Clark County Detention Center (Las Vegas Jail) Guard
Movie Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot Summary: All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.
Casting: Central Casting Los Angeles, California. The largest background actors casting company in the US.
Status: Movie released June 20, 2014
Miscellaneous Notes: Filming of the male jail scenes were shot in a single day over approximately 15 hours with 5-6 minutes appearing in the final movie edit.
The other two jail guards hired for this shoot were both SAG/AFTRA members. And one, Paul X. Campanella, seen in this video clip shutting the jail door, was also an actor in the local Las Vegas show Tony and Tina’s Wedding.
If Gig writes a book he may include the direction and comments made to Gig by the Assistant Director (AD) about acting out a scene. He may also include details about how the principle actors in some scenes did not adhere to a script verbatim and appeared to be ad-libbing, especially by Kevin Hart. Gig might also include details about his interaction with, and the interaction between the main characters and cast.
To view the video clip you may need to use a computer and not a mobile device. Please click here or view above.
Still images of Gig Schmidt from the movie filmed at the North Las Vegas, Nevada Jail on June 15, 2013
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Gig filmed in the movie Last Vegas with Academy Award winners Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline. And Redfoo (Stefan Gordy) of the music group LMFAO at The Aria Resort in Las Vegas on November 1, 2012.
Gig was booked to be a pool party stagehand by David Anthony himself of David Anthony Casting in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gig’s Role: Swimming pool party stagehand
Movie Genre: Comedy
Plot Summary: Three sixty-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.
Casting: David Anthony Casting Las Vegas, Nevada
Status: Movie released November 1, 2013
Miscellaneous Notes: If Gig writes a book he may include details about how the principle actors interacted with the background actors and even more remarkably with one another when the scenes cut.
To view a 45 second clip of the movie scene that Gig appeared in please click here or view above.
Still image of Gig Schmidt extracted from the movie Last Vegas, Aria Resort pool, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 1, 2012
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In October 2012 Gig was called directly and offered the part of a stand-in for the Warner Brothers movie The Hangover Part 3 but when the casting agency realized he was not a union member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), they could not offer him the part but still cast him as an extra/background actor. Gig filmed with Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on October 28 and 29, 2012 and was asked back for up to four additional night shoots from November 4-7, without the principal actors, but Gig declined. And on November 12 casting asked Gig again to shoot up to 3 additional nights from November 13-15, but again Gig declined.
Many actors submitted to be on this well known film, and many even drove in from Los Angeles to participate.
Gig’s Role: Caesars Palace valet pedestrian (Gig does not believe that his scene made the final movie edit)
Movie Genre: Comedy
Plot Summary: This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off
Casting: Central Casting Los Angeles, California. The largest background actors casting company in the US.
Status: Movie released May 24, 2013
Miscellaneous Notes: If Gig writes a book he may include details about how and why he held up the filming of one scene, and why he and his partner might have been removed from another scene. Gig may also include details about how the principle actors interacted with the background actors and even more remarkably with one another when the scenes cut.
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Behind The Candelabra The Liberace Story
On August 21, 2012 Gig believes that he was personally called by Rich King, of Rich King Casting based in Los Angeles, California, and was offered the acting role of the stagehand.
In August 2012 Gig shot 3 scenes at the LV Hotel, formerly known as the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, as Howard the stage crew manager with Academy Award winners Michael Douglas who played Liberace and Matt Damon who played Liberace’s partner Scott Thorson, and Dan Aykroyd who played Liberace’s manager in an HBO movie Behind the Candelabra The Liberace Story. The movie also stars Rob Lowe, Debbie Reynolds and Scott Bakula. Directed by Steven Soderbergh an Academy Award winning director best known for films Erin Brockovich, Traffic and the remake of Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen. Written by Richard LaGravenese (screenplay). Produced by Jerry Weintraub.
On August 22, 2012 Gig was a day player, which is an extra actor hired at Screen Actors Guild (SAG) scale for the day, and was featured in a non speaking role when he played the second stage hand to rush to Liberace’s aid and called for assistance when Liberace collapsed after a Las Vegas stage performance. This was a 4 person scene with Michael Douglas, Dan Aykroyd and another extra who ironically is also originally from New Jersey and now resides in Las Vegas. Gig’s portion of this scene did not make the final movie edit but still earned him his first union voucher for this day shoot. Three union vouchers qualifies one to join (SAG) the Screen Actors Guild.
Gig shot 2 additional scenes on August 29 and 30, 2012 in a more traditional role as a background performer and one of the scenes Gig filmed did make the final movie edit. Gig was seen approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes after the start of the movie as the camera pans across the rear of the stage from Matt Damon to the dancers and then to Gig and another stagehand and then to Michael Douglas, Dan Aykroyd and another actor.
The movie acting role was the first time Gig was ever fitted for clothing and went through hair and make-up.
Gig’s Role: Howard the stagehand manager
Movie Genre: Biography, Drama
Plot Summary: Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6 year relationship between Liberace and his much younger lover Scott Thorson, is recounted.
Casting: Rich King, Los Angeles, California
Status: Movie released on HBO June 2013
Miscellaneous Notes: On-set Gig met Anna Wendt, an accomplished actress who was also booked as a stagehand. She is a member of SAG/AFTRA, a graduate of Stella Adler Academy of Acting and later in 2003 became the Communications Chair for SAG/AFTRA Nevada and Editor of the SAG/AFTRA Nevada Star Newsletter. She is also an Associate Member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a Harper’s Bazaar Style Ambassador.
Gig credits Anna for assisting him with his local Las Vegas acting career by informing him about different Vegas acting agents that he could register with. She also provided Gig with details about how to submit as a background actor for the movie The Hangover Part III. And she was the one who first listed Gig and his acting credits on IMDB, before they were taken down, and IMDB informed Gig that he could have all of his acting credits relisted if he were a paid member.
To view a video clip of Gig in this movie please click here or view above.
Still image of Gig Schmidt extracted from the movie Behind The Candelabra, LVH, Las Vegas Nevada, November 29th or 30th, 2012
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Click here to view the aired television commercial or view above.
Click here to view the raw video or view above.
Raw footage- The making of Gig Schmidt’s video portion of his aired TV commercial with Laura Sposato KPVM-TV Pahrump, Nevada sports and weather anchor, KPVM-TV Pahrump, Nevada, June 2010
TV commercial shoot with Laura Sposato, KPVM-TV Pahrump, Nevada, sports and weather anchor, KPVM-TV Pahrump, Nevada, June 2010
News desk, the day Gig did the first voice-over for his TV commercial
KPVM-TV Pahrump, Nevada, March 31, 2010
Rick Vale, KPVM-TV Pahrump, Nevada Creative Director and News Anchor. Rick was the Engineer for Gig’s television commercial voice over and video edits. He was pleasantly surprised that Gig was able to produce a perfect, professional audio voice over, that Gig also wrote, on his first take, within the allotted commercial time, especially without Rick’s input or advice.
KPVM-TV Pahrump, Nevada, March 31, 2010
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In December 2005 Gig was a paid extra actor, also known as a background performer, in the 2006 movie Rocky Balboa. During all of the fight scenes Gig sat in Rocky Balboa’s corner in the second row from the boxing ring, one seat away from the lead actress. He is briefly highlighted in a scene, less than one minute into the start of the movie where the fans are booing the results of another fight. The five day filming for those scenes were shot at The Mandalay Bay Events Center at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sylvester Stallone also personally selected Gig to lead off another scene but Gig does not believe that scene made the final movie edit.
To set up another scene, as the director, Stallone knelt in between Gig’s legs in the aisle and said to Gig (paraphrasing), “I’m not trying to get fresh with you or nothing kid”. Gig wrapped his arms around Stallone without touching to catch Stallone in case he stumbled and fell.
Gig’s Role: Boxing spectator
Movie Genre: Drama, Sport
Plot Summary: Rocky Balboa comes out of retirement to step into the ring for the last time and face the heavyweight champion Mason “The Line” Dixon. Written, directed and starring Sylvester Stallone
Casting: Many different casting agencies booked the hundreds, if not thousands, of background actors in attendance, but Gig was a walk on. He learned about the filming from a television news broadcast that morning and decided to go over to watch after he worked out at the gym. He thought he might be able to at least see his father’s friend, professional boxing referee Joe Cortez who got his professional refereeing start being employed by Gig’s father in New Jersey when Atlantic City was the boxing capital of the world. Gig thought he might also see the Nevada State Athletic Commissioner or Chief Inspector (Gig’s father had the same position in New Jersey) all of whom Gig met previously. Gig watched the pre-filming activities from the upper level of the building while on his cell phone with his mother telling her who he was able to recognize in the ring that his mother also knew. The section that Gig was in was moved down to the ring and Gig ended up in the second row from the ring behind Rocky Balboa’s corner. Gig was asked to move away from the ring with some others because of the way they were dressed. Gig was dressed in work out gym clothes. Gig ignored the request to move and returned after a break in a suit which is how they wanted the ringside spectators dressed, and was then asked if he could stay and commit to filming all 5 days for movie continuity which he agreed to and was paid for his role.
Many Rocky fans flew in to Las Vegas to witness the making of this movie with dreams of also being in the movie in any capacity. Sitting beside Gig to his right was someone that flew in from Florida for this shoot which is the furthest one could travel in the US to attend. Gig then turned to his left and learned that this person was in Las Vegas specifically for the Rocky filming from Australia. This might have been the furthest anyone traveled in the world for this event.
Status: Movie released December 20, 2006
To view a clip from the movie click here or view above.
Still images of Gig Schmidt extracted from the movie Rocky Balboa
Mandalay Bay Events Center, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2005